Eminem Presents: The Re-Up

On the title track of this Shady Records compilation, Eminem declares—less than a year-and-a-half into his wildly overstated "retirement"—that "this music is in us, and it's not over 'til we say it's finished." The evidence on this 22-track set indicates they're a long way from that point, too. Conceived as a mixtape, "The Re-Up" boasts bona fide star power via nine new Eminem performances, four appearances by 50 Cent and various permutations of D12—along with Obie Trice and Akon (with a remix of his chart-topping "Smack That"). The real point of the album, however, is to introduce new Shady MCs Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater and Ca$his. Despite meticulous production, "The Re-Up" retains some of the spare, raw feel of an underground release, its tracks comprised mostly of Dr. Dre-styled keyboards and tight, airy beats that leave plenty of room for the rappers to spit at such targets as Mariah Carey (although 50 Cent offers props to estranged protégé the Game at one point). Among the most intriguing moments are Eminem's characteristically defiant "Public Enemy" and "No Apologies," the playful 50 Cent duets "The Re-Up" and "Jimmy Crack Corn," the minute-long "Trapped" from late D12 founder Proof and Creekwater's old school-styled "There He Is."—GG