It never dropped as a single, but “Criminal” earned official recognition in the UK 25 years later.
The sinister closer from “The Marshall Mathers LP” has been certified silver in the UK, meaning it has moved over 200,000 units, despite never being released as a single.
The track, co-produced by Eminem and the Bass Brothers, wrapped up his 2000 landmark album with equal parts satire, aggression, and lyrical skill. Em himself described it as the MMLP version of “Still Don’t Give a Fuck”, explaining in his book “Angry Blonde” that both songs were meant to sum up the themes of their respective albums, and both landed in the final slot of the tracklist for a reason.
“Criminal” later appeared on “Curtain Call: The Hits (Deluxe Edition)”, bringing one of Em’s most defiant songs back into rotation for a new generation of listeners. With its latest BPI plaque, the track remains one of the most streamed from MMLP and continues to show that even Eminem’s deep cuts can leave a mark.
Listen to Eminem — “Criminal” below:
