Top 10 Best Eminem Music Videos
Provocative and timely, these Slim Shady videos are hip-hop classics. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we'll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Best Eminem Music Videos. For this list, we're focusing on the most culturally significant music videos by Eminem.
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#10: “Guilty Conscience” feat. Dr. Dre (1999)
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This video stands out for its panoramic cinematography and dark narrative structure. In it, we see several characters getting caught up by their conscience when faced with a moral dilemma. In the scope of Eminem’s career, “Guilty Conscience” is significant for Em’s collaboration with Dr. Dre, who co-stars and co-directs with Philip G. Atwell. It’s a grimy production, while the premise itself highlights Eminem’s willingness to spark conversation and controversy. With each scene, Slim Shady becomes increasingly animated, blending surrealism and dark comedy, while delivering a shocking conclusion.
#9:“Cleanin’ Out My Closet” (2002)
Also directed by Dr. Dre and Philip G. Atwell, this moody piece takes Eminem back in time. The visuals shift from gothic to domestic, as Slim Shady tries to come to grips with his past. It’s a dimly-lit production, creating the necessary mood for Em in his search for resolution. For its time, “Cleanin’ out My Closet” provided more insight about Marshall Mathers the person, who in the past often used dark comedy to make sense of the world around him. For this video, however, he plays it straight from beginning to end, making the lyrics even more impactful.
#8: “Rap God” (2013)
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From the jump, this video seems like another clever nod to American pop culture. But as the plot progresses, “Rap God” takes viewers inside Eminem’s mind, as he’s figuratively stuck in a box yet reaching out into a metaphysical space. In this video, director Rich Lee is creating a monster, and a new Eminem emerges – a “Rap God” full of pop culture knowledge and an even nastier flow. What’s more, Eminem touches on spirituality and the darkness that persists, offering a scathing commentary on public expectations and perceptions.
#7: “Love the Way You Lie” feat. Rihanna (2010)
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Directed by Joseph Kahn, this explosive video remains one of Eminem’s most polarizing. On one level, it’s significant for Rihanna’s starring role, certainly after her domestic abuse experience the year before. But it’s the combination of sexuality and aggression that makes this video so controversial. Starring Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox, the focal couple represents a toxic relationship that thrives on passion and pain. With Eminem and Rihanna both expressing themselves from a place of personal experience and struggle, the plot points and fiery conclusion fuelled the drama of the video, igniting conversations about domestic abuse.
#6: “Like Toy Soldiers” (2004)
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For this video, real-life context adds a disturbing element to the narrative. Directed by The Saline Project, “Like Toy Soldiers” references childhood dreams, along with the death of D12 member, Bugz. There’s a dark tone throughout, as Eminem navigates through his confusion, with the subjects disappearing one by one. It’s an emotional tribute to Eminem’s influences, but it’s even more heart wrenching considering that his fellow collaborator and co-star, Proof, was murdered less than two years later. The narrative visuals felt heavy in 2004, and even more so in retrospect.
#5: “My Name Is” (1999)
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For Eminem’s first collaboration with director Philip G. Atwell, he embodies all the goofiness that would persist throughout much of his career. Filtered through a television, Em complements the declarative message with situational comedy, with Dr. Dre’s cameo providing some street cred as well. Overall, though, this video stands out with its final sequence, as Slim Shady parodies then-president Bill Clinton, reminding viewers of his most infamous Oval Office act. Slim Shady also capitalizes on then-current trends of the day, closing out with a mild yet memorable characterization of fellow MTV star Marilyn Manson.
#4: “Mockingbird” (2005)
In this retro-themed video, Eminem sings to his daughter Hailie and niece Alaina, while addressing some of his own personal issues. Both Eminem and John "Quig" Quigley share directorial duties, with the screening room shots establishing the introspective narrative. The premise is relatively simple, yet it connects with personal footage that highlights the behind the scenes narrative. A public invitation to look beyond the Eminem persona, the rapper makes a decidedly different type of statement with “Mockingbird”. The lullaby structure makes the track accessible and catchy, with the video further establishing Eminem as one of the most personal artists of his generation.
#3: “Without Me” (2002)
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For this hyperactive video, Em teams up with the acclaimed Joseph Kahn. The comedic narrative in “Without Me” allows Slim Shady to play superhero, and the overall production creates a world all his own. Basically, everything is amplified for “Without Me,” and the frenetic editing is no exception. Whether it’s the stage design or superimposed graphics, each frame stands on it own, making the video one of Em’s most memorable. The critics praised Eminem, as “Without Me” not only won MTV’s top honor at the VMAs, but also a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
#2: “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)
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Given Eminem’s originally gonzo persona, this video makes perfect sense with its psych ward premise. But directors Atwell and Dr. Dre shift the attention elsewhere, as “The Real Slim Shady” takes aim at society and numerous pop culture figures. It’s a comedic yet scathing attack, with Eminem adding extra flare by playing some of the roles himself. But Slim Shady also sheds lights on bandwagon fans and imitators, suggesting that a new haircut is simply that, and that there can only be one true Slim Shady. It’s a highly structured music video; one that visually pops with symmetrical framing, distinct coloring and dynamic visuals.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“White America” (2002)
“3 a.m.” (2009)
“Berzerk” (2013)
#1: “Stan” feat. Dido (2000)
As Eminem evolved into a music video icon, a short film was the logical next step. With “Stan,” Eminem delivers a highly disturbing music video, but one that stays true to the lyrical content. “Stan” highlights the physical transformation and psychological deterioration of a distraught fan. As a stand-alone video, it draws attention to the power of Eminem’s words. But on a larger scale, it also foreshadows a new era of celebrity obsession in pop culture, as some fans unfortunately blur the line between reality and fantasy.
So, do you agree with our selections? What is your favorite Eminem music video? For more musical Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
