Berzerk (song)
{{short description|2013 single by Eminem}}
{{Distinguish|Bezerk (song)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Berzerk
| cover = Eminem - Berzerk.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Eminem
| album = The Marshall Mathers LP 2
| released = {{Start date|2013|8|27}}
| recorded = 2012–13
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = * Rap rock{{cite web |url=http://www.factmag.com/2013/09/09/who-decided-that-a-rap-rock-comeback-was-ok-initial-thoughts-on-eminems-bizarre-marshall-mathers-lp-2/|title="Who decided that a rap-rock comeback was OK?": Initial thoughts on Eminem's bizarre Marshall Mathers LP 2 – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music|publisher=Fact|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|first=Korina|last=Lopez |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/09/09/eminems-berzerk-single-out-now/2705279/|title=Is Eminem's 'Berzerk' worth the wait?|publisher=USA Today|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2014}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=58}}
| label = {{flatlist|
}}
| writer = {{flatlist|
- Marshall Mathers
- William Squier
- Adam Horovitz
- Adam Yauch
- Rick Rubin
- Joseph Modeliste
- Arthur Neville
- Cyril Neville
- Leo Nocentelli
- George Porter Jr.
- Vincent Brown
- Anthony Criss
- Keir Gist
}}
| producer = Rick Rubin
| tracks = {{The Marshall Mathers LP 2 track listing}}
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Eminem
| type = single
| prev_title = C'mon Let Me Ride
| prev_year = 2012
| title = Berzerk
| year = 2013
| next_title = Survival
| next_year = 2013}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|ab9176Srb5Y|"Berzerk"}}}}
}}
"Berzerk" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The song, released on August 27, 2013, is the first single from Eminem's eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The song was produced by Rick Rubin and samples Billy Squier's "The Stroke", as well as the Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right", taken from their 1986 debut album Licensed to Ill, which Rubin had also produced, and Naughty by Nature's "Feel Me Flow". The song was heavily downloaded in its first week of release, resulting in the song debuting at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Composition
File:RickRubinSept09.jpg produced "Berzerk".]]
The song, produced by Rick Rubin, samples Billy Squier's "The Stroke", the Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right", taken from their 1986 debut album Licensed to Ill and also produced by Rubin, and Naughty by Nature's "Feel Me Flow".{{cite AV media notes|title= Berzerk |others= Eminem |year= 2013 |url= https://www.discogs.com/release/5008520-Berzerk/images |access-date= April 17, 2016 |type= liner notes |publisher= Aftermath}} Writing credits are given to Eminem, Rubin, Squier, Adam Yauch and Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys, and Anthony Criss, Vincent Brown, and Kier Gist of Naughty by Nature, Ziggy Modeliste, Art Neville, Cyril Neville, Leo Nocentelli and George Porter Jr. for the "Feel Me Flow" segment.{{cite web |title=ACE Repertory – Berzerk |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/885810048 |publisher=ASCAP |access-date=28 October 2021}}
The song starts with a "blast of static, hard guitar and Em roaring out of the gate sounding like the long-lost, fourth Beastie Boy", according to Yahoo! Music critic Craig Rosen.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/shady-back-eminem-goes-berzerk-sampling-beasties-billy-175057646.html|title=Shady's Back — Eminem Goes 'Berzerk' Sampling the Beasties and Billy Squier|access-date=August 29, 2013|date=August 27, 2013|work=Yahoo! Music|author=Rosen, Craig}} The song samples the "Kick it!" part of "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)", performed by Ad-Rock.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/eminem-goes-old-school-in-new-song-berzerk-20130827|title=Eminem Goes Old-School in New Song 'Berzerk': Rapper's single samples Billy Squier, Beastie Boys|access-date=August 29, 2013|date=August 27, 2013|author=Danton, Eric R.|magazine=Rolling Stone}} According to Billboard{{'s}} Lars Brandle, the song is "a punchy, guitar-and-beats driven song which channels Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' I Love Rock 'n' Roll and Licensed to Ill-era Beastie Boys."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/5672691/eminem-goes-berzerk-for-new-single-listen|title=Eminem Goes 'Berzerk' For New Single: Listen|access-date=August 29, 2013|date=August 26, 2013|magazine=Billboard|author=Brandle, Lars}}
Music video
During the halftime at the September 7, 2013 Michigan–Notre Dame football game, Eminem premiered a preview of the music video for "Berzerk". Then the video was premiered two days later on September 9, via VEVO. The video was filmed in Brooklyn, New York and directed by Syndrome.[http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/eminem-explains-berzerk-video Eminem, Explains Berzerk | Complex] It features cameo appearances from fellow American rappers Kendrick Lamar (Em's Aftermath labelmate) and Kid Rock{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/eminem-bezerk-music-video-preview |title=Eminem "Berzerk" Music Video Preview |magazine=Complex |access-date=September 8, 2013}}[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/eminem-goes-vintage-in-berzerk-video-20130909 Eminem Takes It Back with 'Berzerk' – Video | Rolling Stone] (both of whom Eminem mentions in the song's lyrics) in addition to Shady Records labelmates Slaughterhouse, Mr. Porter, Yelawolf and The Alchemist, the song's producer Rick Rubin and Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg. The video also features short clips of backyard wrestling, and public fights as well as short clips of the official music video of Billy Squier's "The Stroke", which is heavily sampled in the song.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1713729/eminem-berzerk-video.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913012904/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1713729/eminem-berzerk-video.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 13, 2013|title=Eminem Ropes In Detroit Homey Kid Rock For 'Berzerk' Video|author=Gil Kaufman|website=MTV |date=September 9, 2013|access-date=September 10, 2013}} The video received a nomination at MTV Video Music Awards 2014 in the category "Best Hip-Hop Video".{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1870248/2014-video-music-awards-nominations-full-list/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717142334/http://www.mtv.com/news/1870248/2014-video-music-awards-nominations-full-list/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2014 |title=2014 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations: Get The Full List |publisher=MTV |access-date=July 18, 2014}}
Release and promotion
"Berzerk" originally premiered on August 26, on SiriusXM channel, Shade 45.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/eminem-berzerk|title=Listen: Eminem "Berzerk" (Prod. By Rick Rubin)|access-date=August 27, 2013|date=August 26, 2013|work=Complex|author=Gleckman, Alexander}} The Marshall Mathers LP 2, a sequel to Eminem's acclaimed studio effort The Marshall Mathers LP, was revealed during MTV Video Music Awards on August 25, 2013, with two previews of "Berzerk" via Beats By Dr. Dre commercials.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/eminem-announces-new-album-mmlp2-20130825 | title=Eminem Announces New Album 'MMLP2' | publisher=Wenner Media LLC | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=August 25, 2013 | access-date=August 26, 2013 | author=Coulehan, Erin}} Some critics describe Eminem's return in these commercials as the highlight of the show. The video that accompanied the song featured a boombox prominently. The song was the featured song for the 2013 season of Saturday Night Football, debuting with the September 7 Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry game. On 10 November 2013 in Amsterdam for the MTV Europe Music Awards 2013, he performed "Berzerk" and also "Rap God".{{cite web|url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2013/09/saturday-night-football-goes-berzerk-with-eminem/|title=Saturday Night Football Goes "Berzerk" with Eminem|access-date=September 6, 2013|date=September 5, 2013|publisher=ESPN|author=Humes, Michael|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326190858/http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2013/09/saturday-night-football-goes-berzerk-with-eminem/|url-status=dead}}
Commercial performance
"Berzerk" sold 362,000 downloads in its first week in the US, debuting at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 (behind Katy Perry's Roar and Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines) becoming Eminem's 15th Top 10 hit on the Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5680131/katy-perry-dethrones-robin-thicke-atop-hot-100 |title=Katy Perry Dethrones Robin Thicke Atop Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |date=September 4, 2013}} The song has peaked at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/301722/Eminem/chart?f=367 |title=Eminem – Chart history {{!}} Billboard |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 4, 2013 |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818083522/http://www.billboard.com/artist/301722/eminem/chart?f=367 |url-status=dead }} When the R&B component of the chart is removed, the song debuted at number one on the Rap Songs chart. "Berzerk"'s debut is just below the debut of the lead single for Recovery, "Not Afraid", which sold 379,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5679970/eminems-berzerk-selling-strong-heading-for-big-debut |title=Eminem's 'Berzerk' Selling Strong, Heading for Big Debut |magazine=Billboard |date=August 30, 2013 |access-date=September 8, 2013 |archive-date=September 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903063747/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5679970/eminems-berzerk-selling-strong-heading-for-big-debut |url-status=dead }} It has sold over a million copies in the US as of October 2013.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-oct-6-2013-songs-adele-reaches-192150577.html|title=Week Ending Oct. 6, 2013. Songs: Adele Reaches A Milestone|last=Grein|first=Paul|publisher=Yahoo|access-date=October 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012083606/http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-oct-6-2013-songs-adele-reaches-192150577.html|archive-date=October 12, 2013|df=mdy-all}}
In Canada, the song debuted at number two with 50,000 downloads sold, which more than doubled the 24,000 downloads sold in the debut week of "Not Afraid".{{cite web|url=https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67270545/Canadian%20Newsletters/nielsen_music_canadian_update_Sep4_2013.pdf|title=AVENGED SEVENFOLD SCORES FIRST NUMBER ONE ALBUM|access-date=September 15, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It was Eminem's best one week download total ever in the country, until it was surpassed by the 54,000 downloads sold for Eminem's later single, "The Monster".{{cite web|url=https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67270545/Canadian%20Newsletters/nielsen_music_canadian_update_Nov6_2013.pdf|title=ARCADE FIRE SCORES THIRD CHART-TOPPING ALBUM Arcade|access-date=November 8, 2013}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The song was certified Double Platinum in Digital downloads in Canada on November 1, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=Berzerk&ica=False&sa=Eminem&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist|title=Gold Platinum Database: Eminem – Berzerk|publisher=Music Canada|access-date=November 1, 2013|archive-date=October 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012022016/http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=Berzerk&ica=False&sa=Eminem&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist|url-status=dead}}
The song debuted at number one on the UK R&B Chart{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20131013/114/ |title=2013-10-19 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=October 19, 2013 |access-date=January 10, 2014}} and was replaced on the chart by his single "Rap God".{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20131020/114/ |title=2013-10-26 Top 40 R&B Singles Archive |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=October 26, 2013 |access-date=January 10, 2014}}
Critical reception
Will Hermes of Rolling Stone gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting its goal to "celebrate old-school hip-hop".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/berzerk-20130910 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918065739/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/berzerk-20130910 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 18, 2013 |title= Eminem's "Berzerk" review on Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 10, 2013}} Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song 4 out of 5 stars, stating the song "harks back" to Eminem's "Slim Shady days". Copsey compared the song to Beastie Boys circa 1986, although the song as "inimitable" and "unmistakably Eminem".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.ca/music/singlesreviews/a511786/eminem-berzerk-single-review.html |title=Eminem: 'Berzerk' – Single review – Music Singles Review – Digital Spy |publisher=Digitalspy.ca |date=September 2, 2013 |access-date=September 8, 2013}} VH1 India gave the song 8/10 concluding, "Whether you shudder under 'Berzerk's' cacophonous assault or wear its raps like an emblem — it's 2013, and Eminem still got your attention."[http://www.vh1.in/music/reviews/berzerk Berzerk | Vh1 India]
Awards and nominations
{{see also|List of awards and nominations received by Eminem}}
| class="wikitable" | |
| Year
!Ceremony !Award !Result | |
|---|---|
| |2014 | Grammy Awards
|{{nominated}} |
| |2014 | World Music Awards
|Song of the Year |{{nominated}} |
| |2014 | MTV Video Music Awards Japan
|{{nominated}} |
| |2014 | Detroit Music Awards
|Outstanding Video / Major Budget (over $10,000) |{{won}} |
| |2014 | MTV Video Music Awards
|{{nominated}} |
Track listing
{{track_listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Berzerk
| note1 =
| writer1 = {{hlist|Marshall Mathers|William Squier|Adam Horovitz|Adam Yauch|Rick Rubin|Joseph Modeliste|Arthur Neville|Cyril Neville|Leo Nocentelli|George Porter Jr.|Vincent Brown|Anthony Criss|Keir Gist}}
| extra1 = Rick Rubin
| length1 = {{duration|m=3|s=58}}
}}
;CD release
{{track_listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Berzerk
| note1 = explicit
| writer1 = {{hlist|Marshall Mathers|William Squier|Adam Horovitz|Adam Yauch|Rick Rubin|Joseph Modeliste|Arthur Neville|Cyril Neville|Leo Nocentelli|George Porter Jr.||Vincent Brown|Anthony Criss|Keir Gist}}
| extra1 = Rick Rubin
| length1 = {{duration|m=3|s=59}}
| title2 = Berzerk
| note2 = edited
| writer2 = {{hlist|Marshall Mathers|William Squier|Adam Horovitz|Adam Yauch|Rick Rubin|Joseph Modeliste|Arthur Neville|Leo Nocentelli|George Porter Jr.||Vincent Brown|Anthony Criss|Keir Gist}}
| extra2 = Rick Rubin
| length2 = {{duration|m=3|s=58}}
| total_length = {{duration|m=7|s=57}}
}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Chart (2013) !scope="col"|Peak |
| scope=row{{single chart|Australia|5|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
|---|
| scope=row{{single chart|Austria|22|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Flanders|44|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Wallonia|42|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Canada|2|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|artistid=315925|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Czech Republic|49|year=2013|week=37}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Denmark|15|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|France|10|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=October 21, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Germany|10|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013|songid=1186557}} |
| scope="row"| Greece Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2013-09-14/greece|title=Greece Digital Songs: September 14, 2013|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=September 15, 2013|url-access=subscription|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906001635/http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2013-09-14/greece|url-status=dead}}
| style="text-align:center;"|7 |
| scope=row{{single chart|Hungarysingle|17|year=2013|week=44|access-date=November 7, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Ireland2|16|song=Berzerk|access-date=January 26, 2020}} |
| scope="row" | Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1637|title=Classifica settimanale WK 35 (dal 26-08-2013 al 01-09-2013)|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=April 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014175159/http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1637|archive-date=October 14, 2013}}
| style="text-align:center;" |25 |
| {{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|76|artist=Eminem|aritstid=309388|access-date=May 20, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Dutch100|52|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|New Zealand|12|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Scotland|3|date=2013-10-19}} |
| scope="row"|South Korea International Singles (GAON){{cite web|title=South Korea Gaon International Chart Gaon Chart|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E¤t_year=¤t_month=07¤t_week=36&chart_Time=week|publisher=Gaon Chart|access-date=August 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014041825/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E¤t_year=¤t_month=07¤t_week=36&chart_Time=week|archive-date=October 14, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| scope=row{{single chart|Spain|46|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Sweden|56|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Switzerland|9|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|UK|2|date=20131019}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|UKrandb|1|date=2013-10-19}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Billboardhot100|3|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|artistid=315925|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|18|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|artistid=315925|access-date=October 17, 2013}} |
| scope=row{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|2|artist=Eminem|song=Berzerk|artistid=315925|access-date=September 15, 2013}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|title=Berzerk|artist=Eminem|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|access-date=June 29, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|title=Berzerk|artist=Eminem|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=December 16, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Eminem|title=Berzerk|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|access-date=June 13, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2013|certyear=2013|title=Berzerk|artist=Eminem|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|digital=true}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Eminem|title=Berzerk|relyear=2013|certyear=2018|digital=true|access-date=April 17, 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Eminem|title=Berzerk|relyear=2013|certyear=2016|source=radioscope|access-date=December 18, 2024|relmonth=8|certmonth=2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|relyear=2013|source=artist|title=Berzerk|artist=Eminem|type=single|award=Gold|accessdate=March 10, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2013|certyear=2024|title=Berzerk|artist=Eminem|type=single|award=Platinum|id=12892-438-1|access-date=December 20, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2013|certyear=2022|title=Berzerk|artist=Eminem|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|access-date=October 1, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}
Radio and release history
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Eminem singles}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Shady Records singles
Category:Aftermath Entertainment singles
Category:Interscope Records singles
Category:Songs written by Eminem
Category:Songs written by Rick Rubin
Category:Song recordings produced by Rick Rubin
Category:Songs written by Ad-Rock
Category:Songs written by Adam Yauch
Category:Songs written by Billy Squier
Category:Songs written by Treach