"The Monster" is a song from American rapper Eminem's album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013) featuring a guest appearance from Rihanna.

The song was written by Bebe Rexha, Eminem, Rihanna, Aalias, Jon Bellion, Maki Athanasiou, and Frequency, with the latter also handling production.

Released on October 29, 2013, as the fourth single from the album, "The Monster" marks the fourth collaboration between Eminem and Rihanna, following "Love the Way You Lie" (2010), its sequel "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)" (2010), and "Numb" (2012), and is a hip-hop and pop song, with lyrics that describe Eminem pondering the negative effects of his fame while Rihanna comes to grips with her inner demons.

[4] In November 2012, singer Bebe Rexha was at Stadium Red studio in Harlem, New York working on material to be included in her debut album.

[5] The singer further stated that she got the inspiration from the quote "about the monsters that are around us and that live inside of us"; additionally, Rexha was disappointed at being dropped from the Island Def Jam record label.

[5] The Senior Director of A&R for Shady Records, Riggs Morales started looking for potential songs to be included on Eminem's eighth studio album.

[5] On October 22, Eminem revealed the track listing for his eighth studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, including "The Monster" on which Rihanna was credited as a featured artist.

[6] Shortly after premiering the song, Eminem spoke of working with Rihanna again to MTV News: "The perception of the record, what it's saying, I thought it would be a good idea to have her on it because I think people look at us like we're both a little nuts.

"[11] About.com's Bill Lamb had similar thoughts, opining that Eminem's introspection "lends the song engaging power" while also praising Rihanna's vocals.

[12] Idolator's Mike Wass noted that while it did not meet the standard of the duo's previous collaboration, the song was still "undeniably catchy and hook-filled enough for top 40 radio success.

[14] Jim Farber of The New York Daily News found it inferior to Eminem's previous single, "Rap God" and too similar to "Love the Way You Lie", but appreciated that "at least Em gets off some good lines in the new song.

The feat marked Eminem's ninth chart topper, giving him the third-most leaders in the tally's history, behind Katy Perry (9), and Rihanna, who increased her total to 13.

Additionally, Rihanna became the fastest solo artist to achieve 13 chart-toppers, surpassing the previous record held by Mariah Carey (seven-years, eight-month and 19 days), with only the Beatles reaching 13 number ones more quickly.

The Welsh band the Beef Seeds recorded a bluegrass version of "The Monster" on their album Keepin' it Beefy (EP) (released January 27, 2014, on iTunes) In November 2013, Rudimental covered the song at BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.