Eminem & Rihanna hit #1 with “The Monster”

The Monster Eminem & Rihanna

Writer(s): Marshall Mathers, Bebe Rexha, Robyn Fenty, Aaron Kleinstub, Jonathan Bellion, Bryan Fryzel, Maki Athanasiou (see lyrics here) Released: October 29, 2013 First Charted: November 3, 2013 Peak: 14 US, 16 BA, 13 DG, 11 ST, 14 RR, 22 A40, 113 RB, 11 UK, 13 CN, 13 AU, 13 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 8.0 US, 1.31 UK, 10.78 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1033.48 video, 1053.31 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: This was the thirteenth trip to the top of the charts for Rihanna and the fifth for Eminem. Three years earlier, the pair collaborated on the #1 hit “Love the Way You Lie.” They also worked together on “Love the Way You Lie (Part II)” that year and “Numb” in 2012. “The Monster” topped the charts in a dozen countries. Surprisingly, it was Eminem’s first time topping the R&B chart in the United States. It originated as a song by singer Bebe Rexha. She was working on her debut album and wrote the hook for “The Monster.” She was inspired by a quote saying “We stop looking for the monsters under our beds when we realize they’re inside us.” SF She then worked on the song in the studio with Jon Bellion, who came up with the melody. SF Once the song ended up in Eminem’s hands, he added his own verses. He knew he wanted to work with Rihanna again on the song because, as he told her, “I think that people look at us a little crazy.” SF It became a song finding “Eminem pondering the negative effects of his fame while Rihanna comes to grips with her inner demons.” WK Rexha hoped her vocals would be featured on the song, but she was replaced with Rihanna. As she said, “Nbody even told me. I just heard it on the radio.” SF However, she ultimately considered it a blessing because, she said, it “put me me in a position where people in the music business started knowing who I was and started respecting me.” SF Atlanta Black Star described “The Monster” as “an old school rap song…[that] blends genres with Eminem’s rap vocals, rock gutiars, and Rihanna’s pop-style singing of the chorus.” WK Critics like Idolator’s Mike Wass noted it wasn’t as powerful as “Love the Way You Lie” but that it was still “undeniably catchy and hook-filled enough for top 40 radio success.” WK Resources: SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 7/29/2023.