June 2003

Mocks MJ - Posted by Denz on Wednesday, June 25 2003

Eminem recreated Michael Jackson's infamous baby-dangling drama yesterday as he stood at the balcony of his Glasgow hotel holding on to a plastic baby doll. The rap superstar, in the city ahead of last night's Hampden Park concert, presented himself to fans and photographers wearing a Jacko-style surgical mask and carrying the doll covered in a white sheet. His actions parodied the well-publicised incident in which Michael Jackson dangled his then nine-month old son Paris over a 60ft hotel balcony in Germany - something the singer later described as "a terrible mistake". Typically taking things one step further, Em then made onlookers laugh as he threw his doll up into a summersault before raising a fist in salute and heading back into his hotel room. Last night's Hampden Park show - which also featured performances from Cypress Hill, Xzibit, Obie Trice and D12, was the fourth UK date of the rapper's Anger Management Europe tour. Earlier this week the star played three sold-out shows at the Milton Keynes Bowl with hip-hop megastar 50 Cent.

50 on film - Posted by Denz on Wednesday, June 25 2003

The life of rap star 50 Cent is to be chronicled in a new feature-length movie, according to reports. Though production dates are yet to be confirmed, the biopic is being developed by writer Terry Winter ('The Sopranos') and is expected to trace 50's remarkable journey to international superstardom. Having experienced an impoverished upbringing in Queens New York, 50 - real name Curtis Jackson - suffered the death of his mother when he was just 8 years old and allegedly began dealing crack just four years later. Most famously, the rap star has been shot nine times during his adult life, and all this before his debut LP 'Get Rich Without Tryin' blitzed the US album charts in February 2003, becoming America's best-selling debut ever. According to MTV, 50 Cent decided he wanted to make a film based on his life after witnessing the success of Eminem's semi-autobiographical movie '8 Mile', which made $116 at the US box office. Meanwhile, 50 Cent was named Best New Artist and Best Male Hip-Hop Act at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards last night. The star studded ceremony, which took place at Los Angeles' Kodak Theater, also saw appearances from James Brown, Michael Jackson, R Kelly, Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, Beyonce Knowles, B2K and Grandmaster Flash.

Kim Shady? - Posted by Denz on Friday, June 13 2003

Eminem's former wife, Kimberley Mathers, is under investigation for alleged cocaine possession after police found a white powder in her car this week. Mathers, 28, was pulled over near her native Detroit at 2.30am on Tuesday morning (June 10) and arrested for driving without a licence, according to St. Clair Shores Police Department. Having searched her white Cadillac Escalade, police found Mathers to be in possession of two small bags of what they believe to be cocaine. The confiscated white powder has since been sent to the Michigan State Police crime lab for testing, whilst Mathers is now free, pending charges. According to The Smoking Gun, Mathers - who divorced Eminem in October 2001 - was travelling with another woman near 12 Mile Road when she was pulled over for an undisclosed traffic violation. Mathers, mother to Eminem's daughter Hailie, was arrested in July 2001 on felony cocaine possession, though charges were dropped five months later. Meanwhile, Eminem has reportedly been offered £1.5 million per episode to star in a new US television series. US network HBO are said to be in talks with the rap star about a new show, which it's hoped will replicate the success of the channel's hit show, 'Sex & The City'. Eminem, who recently picked up an MTV movie award for his performance in '8 Mile', is expected to play a rich rap star from the wrong side of the tracks.