New Music: Eminem – “The Monster (feat. Rihanna)”

Fans have had to wait a little over 3 years, but Eminem and Rihanna are finally reunited on “The Monster,” the follow-up to the pair’s 2010 ubiquitous smash hit “Love the Way You Lie.”  With the bar set almost impossibly high, does “The Monster” live up to the hype?

No – but like I said, that would be nearly impossible.  It’s still a catchy little pop tune and I can definitely see it being embraced by multiple radio formats.  Just like “Love the Way You Lie,” Rih’s on hook duty while Em handles the rap verses about dealing with fame and the “monsters” under his bed.  Produced by Frequency and co-written by Bebe Rexha (the vocalist who’s featured on Cash Cash’s “Take Me Home“), “The Monster” has a stadium rock chorus and an infectious, rolling beat.  Will it be Rihanna’s next #1 single?  I’m not so sure, but I think it will do well and generate some new interest in Eminem’s upcoming studio album “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” which is due out on November 5th.

Stream “The Monster” via YouTube below!  What do you think?  Is it a worthy follow-up to “Love the Way You Lie”?

Buy “The Monster” on iTunes