Nearly twelve years after its release, the music video for Eminem and Rihanna’s “The Monster” has officially surpassed one billion views on YouTube. it is Rihanna’s 12 video to reach the milestone and Eminem’s 9th.
Released on December 16, 2013, the video was the third in Eminem’s career to be directed by American filmmaker Rich Lee. It presents Rihanna as Eminem’s therapist during a symbolic session, as the rapper confronts his past through flashbacks to pivotal moments in his career. Scenes from “Mockingbird,” “My Name Is,” “Lose Yourself,” “3 a.m.,” “The Way I Am,” and his 2001 Grammy Awards performance of “Stan” with Elton John are woven into the narrative, creating a visual retrospective of his evolution and internal conflict.
The video was widely praised for its psychological framing and self-referential storytelling, capturing Eminem’s struggle with fame, self-doubt, and redemption. Critics noted that Rihanna’s poised and understated performance as the therapist added an emotional counterbalance to Eminem’s intense delivery. The video earned three nominations at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards — Best Male Video, Best Collaboration, and Best Direction — reinforcing its impact as both a commercial and creative success.
“The Monster,” which served as the fourth single from The Marshall Mathers LP 2, became a global hit upon release. It topped charts in twelve countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Australia, and marked Rihanna’s 13th Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 — tying her with Michael Jackson at the time for the fourth-most in history. The single has since been certified eight-times Platinum by the RIAA for over eight million units sold in the United States.
The collaboration represented the fourth partnership between Eminem and Rihanna, following “Love the Way You Lie” and its sequel, and “Numb.” While “Love the Way You Lie” explored toxic love and destruction, “The Monster” turned inward, with both artists addressing the mental toll of success. The hook, originally written by Bebe Rexha, distilled that theme into a haunting mantra — “I’m friends with the monster that’s under my bed” — that resonated with fans across genres and generations.
