8 Mile Soundtrack-Rap Soundtrack Of The Year
I heard so much ... this year, but the soundtrack to "8 Mile" is one of the few exceptions. One of the better rap soundtracks I've heard in awhile, not just because the first single, Eminem's "Lose Yourself", is one of most inspirational songs to come out this year (although it's played some 200 times already), "8 Mile" includes banger after banger by such MC's like his group D-12, Obie Trice, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Nas, Gangstarr, and the legendary Rakim. Most of the 16 songs on the album are standouts: "8 Mile" (Eminem) is better than "Lose Yourself" (most of you would agree), "Rabbit Run" is another inspirational song, "Love Me" is kinda slow, but 50 Cent's verse shines on the track. Speaking of 50 Cent, he's got two of the best songs on the album, "Wanksta" and "Places To Go" (Memo to Ja Rule: You ... ..., ...!), I wasn't really feeling Obie Trice on "Love Me", but "Adrenaline Rush" is better: hot lyrics and a killer beat as well. Rap rivals Nas and Jay-Z both have songs on the album, though I personally think Jay-Z has gone a little too pop, "8 Miles And Runnin'" (featuring Freeway) is one of the better songs he did. Nas has a better track, though: "U Wanna Be Me". The beat is plain and simple, but the lyrics are outstanding, as always, I don't care if it has too much curse words in it. (This is a song I can personally relate to) "Battle" proves that Gangstarr can still make excellent tracks after a decade of existence, Xzibit's "Spit Shine" and Rakim's spelled-out self-titled track are also hot tracks (both produced by D-12's Denaun Porter), and D-12's "Rap Game" (featuring 50 Cent singing the chorus), Eminem's and Bizarre's verses stand out (though Bizarre's verse is funny as hell). Only thing is this: WHY THE HELL IS MACY GRAY IN HERE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! The song ..., it got on my nerves...as well as Young Zee's "That's My ... Fo' Real" and the Bookmat song "Wasting My Time" (some actors just can't sing for ..., just think J. Ho trying too hard to do so). Aside from those corny tracks, "8 Mile" is a perfect addition to your rap collection. It still gets 5 stars regardless.
8 Mile Soundtrack
Overall I would have to say that this is a good compilation of some up and coming, established and classic artists. Eminem's songs definitely stand out from the crowd, but there are a number of others worth mentioning.My favorite Eminem track would have to be "Lose Yourself". I don't listen to the radio, so it's still fresh in my mind, and not played out yet. My second favorite would have to be "Rabbit Run". It's 3+ minutes of Eminem on the mic without a chorus.
Others worthwhile tracks include "Love Me", a collabo with Eminem/Obie Trice/50 Cent, "8 Miles And Runnin'" by Jay-Z & Freeway and "R.A.K.I.M." by, you guessed it, Rakim.
There are however some tracks I could've done with out. Example, "Time Of My Life" by Macy Gray. I'm sure the song carries some relevance in the movie, but it didn't really fit the flow of the album.
If you like Eminem, you should definitely pick this CD up, plus the Limited Edition includes 'The Shady/Aftermath Sampler' with an unreleased track from Eminem, "Stimulate", and a 50 Cent freestyle over the "'Til I Collapse" beat.
To Rachel
The song is "Shook Ones Part 2" by Mobb Deep. To everyone else, the soundtrack is cool, the best songs are by Eminem. Cop it. Peace.
Awesome beats!
For anyone who can help me out, what is the name of the song that is playing in the very begginning while Eminem is getting ready to battle, and then they use the same beat at the end when he does his final scene??
The Deluxe Limited Edition
Other reviewers have given useful information and opinions on the soundtrack itself, but I had a little trouble figuring out exactly WHAT made this a Deluxe Limited Edition! The answer is that it comes with a bonus disc, The Shady Aftermath Sampler. The six raps/songs include:
1. Obie Trice - Rap Name
2. Eminem - Stimulate
3. 50 Cent - Til I Collapse Freestyle
4. Joe Beast - Gangsta
5. Brooklyn - The Weekend
6. Shaunta - California
The only really worthwhile bonus track is "Stimulate" by Eminem, which is great! 4, 5 and 6 are enjoyable, but 1 and 3 are downright annoying. I like Brooklyn's song, a fresh female vocalist.
I bought the deluxe version thinking that there would be videos and interviews, possibly a DVD - but it turned out to be only a download of "The Eminem Desksite" which delivers videos and interviews from the internet, maybe twice a month - but it's FREE to download from www.eminem.com, and I already had it, so I was rather disappointed!
As to the soundtrack itself, I just want to say that, in contrast to most reviewers, I LIKE "The Time of My Life". It took a while to get used to it, but since this isn't a RAP ALBUM, but is music connected to a film, I think the song fits as part of the story, when you listen to the lyrics. I also like "Wasting My Time" by Taryn Manning, who played Jimmy's ex-girlfriend Janine in the movie. She has a good voice, and her song also makes the soundtrack feel like it's telling a story. But of course the highlights are the 5 raps in which Eminem appears.
How Eminem was able to assemble so many credible emcees of today and yesteryear (Jay-Z, Rakim) to endorse his Holly'hood coming out party is anyone's guess. What is clear, however, is that (dare we say it) the Shady One might be growing up. On "Lose Yourself" Em abandons his callous, hardcore posturing to write thoughtful hood-centric coming-of-age lyrics that would make Melle Mel proud. On "Battle," Gang Starr's Guru tears through a sick beat from rap's most prolific producer, DJ Premier. Sadly, Nas wastes more valuable studio time dissing Jay-Z (ho hum) on "You Wanna Be Me." Interestingly, once you get past the living-legend love-in and peep the skills from Em's lesser-known Shady Records roster of underground wordsmiths, such as 50 Cent ("Wanksta") or Obie Trice ("Adrenaline Rush"), you might urge Em to consider giving up his thespian pursuits to become a full-time record executive. Not even the baffling inclusion of Macy Gray's humdrum "Time of Your Life" can sink this project. This limited-edition, enhanced version delivers via computer a movie trailer, behind-the-scenes footage from the film, videos, album snippets, freestyles, and artist messages. --Dalton Higgins
