July 2003

Eminem Shook Over Threats - Posted by Denz on Tuesday, July 29 2003

In fear of becoming the next slain rapper, Eminem now wears a bulletproof vest and has beefed up his security by hiring six former CIA bodyguards according to published reports. From Insane Clown Posse to Benzino, Em has had his share of lyrical and physical beefs, yet this time it seems that Slim fears for his life. Allegedly, Em first hired his goons after his latest verbal sparring with Ja Rule got out of hand. Proof, Em's right hand man, even claimed being assaulted by Murder Inc. affiliates last May. Each of the former CIA specialists cost Slim, $160,000 apiece. The team carries glocks and conduct safety inspections everywhere Em goes. Furthermore, the squad also counseled Em to purchase perimeter fences and security video cameras at his newly purchased $4.8 million Detroit, Michigan mansion. "I was with Eminem when we bought his first bullet vest. He wouldn't be caught dead without it. Slim is frightened, his people are frightened. He's running against big league guys," Byron Williams, one of Em's former bodyguards reportedly said. "When hardcore gangsters say they're going to do something, they do it. And right now, they're saying they want to kill Eminem." Meanwhile Em has just filed for full custody of his seven year-old daughter Hailie. According to reports at teenmusic.com, Em interrupted his European Anger Management tour to fly back to Detroit where he filed papers with the child protection authorities before hoping back on a plane to resume the tour. "Eminem is worried sick that Hailie could wind up in a foster home," says a source close to the rapper. "He filed papers to get custody even before Kim was charged. He is afraid of what might happen if Kim goes to prison," the source added. Em's ex-wife Kim Mathers was charged with felony cocaine possession, driving with a suspended license and unsafe driving near a stopped emergency vehicle at the beginning of this month. On a brighter note, Em's music is still doing well. His stock as a producer is rising and the eight times platinum Eminem Show is #62 on the Billboard charts, 61 weeks after its release in May of last year. Slim's latest supporter is legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson. In fact, Robinson is now contemplating collaborating with Slim. "Eminem has always intrigued me," Robinson told the Alburquerque Tribune. "I've always admired the guy because he's talented and creative with his wordplay." "I'm sure that the two of us would raise a few eyebrows. But it just might work because it's such a departure from what everyone would expect from either of us."

32 Tracks Added - Posted by Denz on Tuesday, July 29 2003

We have just added 32 new tracks to our Real Audio section. There will be more to come in the following days.

2 new video download added - Posted by Denz on Sunday, July 27 2003

To bring you even fresher content than any other Eminem site, we have added 2 new video downloads. These videos are: Square Dance Live in Barcelona, Spain Business Live in Barcelona, Spain Click on this link to download the exclusive Eminem content.

MTV VMA Nominees 2003 - Posted by Denz on Friday, July 25 2003

It may have been the year of 50 Cent, but he'll play second fiddle to Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake and country legend Johnny Cash heading into the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Missy Elliott, Timberlake and Cash will tangle with the one-two punch of Eminem ("Lose Yourself") and 50 Cent ("In Da Club") for Video of the Year when the awards are handed out on August 28 in New York. Emminem and 50 Cent are also looking to have a big night, as each will head into this year's VMAs with five nominations. In addition to Video of the Year, Em's "Lose Yourself" is also up for Best Male Video, Best Rap Video, Best Video From a Film and Viewer's Choice. 50's "In Da Club" will try to steal a bit of Em's spotlight, as 50 will compete with his mentor for Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Rap Video and Viewer's Choice. The clip also nabbed 50 a nomination for Best New Artist.

Conspiracy On Em - Posted by Denz on Thursday, July 24 2003

Eminem is to face legal action from a Los Angeles based entertainments company who say the rap star reneged on a deal to feature in a potentially lucrative videogame. Conspiracy Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against the rapper, alleging that his management company is guilty of fraud and breach of contract over the proposed game licensing deal. According to the suit, Em's agents - Cousins Entertainment and Bravado International - had a deal with Conspiracy to create a videogame featuring the star, but pulled out of his deal in favour of another offer. Conspiracy CFO, Keith Tanaka says he was not aware of any problems until he started to receive press relating to their new product. "Then we started hearing rumours about Eminem negotiating a better deal with Rockstar Games or some other big video game publisher," he said. "Apparently, our deal must have been in the way because there was no other reason for Bravado and Cousins to stop us from introducing a video game that was approved before the contract ever got signed." Conspiracy are now seeking over $5 million in damages from both management companies as a result of their failure to honour the licensing agreement, reports GamesIndustry.biz.

'Eminem More Truthful Than Bush,' Say Americans - Posted by Denz on Wednesday, July 23 2003

Though Eminem has been protested and labeled homophobic and misogynistic, a recent survey conducted by New York based advertising agency Euro RSCG has revealed that Americans consider his controversial lyrics more truthful than George Bush speeches. Em's latest props are the result of a survey in which Euro RSCG, polled 1, 016 American adults on gossip and trust among other things. According to the survey, 53 percent felt that young Americans deem Em's rhymes more credible than George Bush's lectures. Only 19 percent opposed the statement while close to two-thirds of the 18- to 24 age bracket preferred Slim over Bush. Still, age didn't matter much, 55 percent between 35-44 years-old also agreed that Em's lyrical content was more believable than Bush speeches. Meanwhile Em found himself in competition with two former presidents on VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons list. The list, which includes actors, singers, athletes, authors, political figures and fictional characters, ranked those that have significantly affected popular culture over the years and are still relevant today. At no. 31, Slim is the highest ranked of six rappers on the list, standing one slot ahead of former president John F. Kennedy and one behind Bill Cosby. Robert Weiss, a VH1 executive who supervised the special told the Associated Press, "I really think pop culture is a moving target, and this list is very much about now in 2003. If we did a list next year, I think there'd be some changes to the list." Other Hip-Hop artists on the list include Queen Latifah at no.199, Tupac Shakur, who surprisingly ranked low at no.174, Will Smith at no.100, Run DMC at no.71 and P. Diddy at no.35. In other news, Eminem's next step might be in a WWE ring. However, don't expect to see Slim in a cage match. Em and WWE owner Vince McMahon have been talking about a forthcoming live performance on Monday Night RAW. According to ImpactWrestling.com, Em was recently on MuchMusic saying that though no date had been set he was looking forward to a RAW appearance.

MTV's Back Stage - Posted by Denz on Monday, July 21 2003

Not To Be Missed: MTV's "Back Stage Pass Week" - Hip Hop Headliners 30 Min. Tour Special-In Detroit and On The Roc The Mic Tour f. The Shady Crew of EMINEM, 50 CENT and OBIE TRICE MTV: Saturday, 7/19 @ 1:00pm, 7/21-3:00pm MTV2: 7/20-12:00am EST, 7/21-2:30pm and 11:30pm EST, 7/25-12:00pm EST, and 7/27-11:30am EST

50s Clothing Unit - Posted by Denz on Monday, July 21 2003

Rap superstar 50 Cent has taken the inevitable step into the fashion industry by launching his own G-Unit Clothing Co. The rapper follows in the footsteps of his mentor Eminem who recently diversified into clothing with his Shady Inc. range. 50 Cent's G-Unit Clothing will feature a pricing gimmick with items retailing at, for example, $29.50 for a T-Shirt in reference to their namesake. The range has been launched by 50 in association with respected urban clothing designer Marc Ecko. "It's not new for a rapper or pop artist to launch a clothing line, but what is new is that a design-driven company like us is partnering with an artist to offer the marketing and merchandising - it's sort of like Nike and [Michael] Jordan coming together for Air Jordan," Ecko told The Associated Press. On 50 Cent's contribution to the designs Ecko said, "he an interesting point of view, a clean, crisp sense of style." "The simplicity is what will be refreshing to the market." 50 Cent remains in the UK Top 20 singles chart this week with '21 Questions' at number 16.

New Eminem downloads - Posted by Denz on Sunday, July 20 2003

New Eminem downloads have been added to the download section which includes exclusive screensavers and flash cards.

Dre and Eminem Face $10 M Copyright Suit - Posted by Denz on Tuesday, July 15 2003

Dr. Dre is once again heading to court. This time, he and Eminem are being sued for $10 million in copyright damages for sampling French Jazz musician Jacques Louissier on Em's "Kill You." According to court documents obtained by the New York Post, Louissier's lawyers label Dre as a "serial plagiarist" having been hit with at least eight copyright suits in the past three years. "When Mr. Young hears music he likes, it is his habit to take it," said lawyer Martin Garbus. The court papers also disclosed Dre's multiple copyright infringement cases, stating how he has had to hired a "musiciologist" Earl Spielman to help him determine whether or not he can get away with jacking music riffs. It appears Louissier isn't only after Dre's wallet but is also trying to shed light on his much-troubled history with copyright infringement. The court papers also state that Dre has had to pay $1.5 million to London's Minder Music Ltd for lifting a bass line for The Chronic 2001's "Let's Get High" just two months ago. Louissier is demanding a Manhattan judge to order Dre to divulge all his copyright battles to the objection of Dre's lawyers. Louissier's suit is only the latest of Dre's legal problems. Aside from the scandal that surrounded his protégé Truth Hurts' "So Addictive" last year, the L.A. producer has also had to cough up big money for using the THX sonic boom sound Star Wars creator George Lucas uses in movies. According to Garbus, Dre was warned not to use the sound on his 1999 multi-platinum LP Chronic 2001, but bit it anyway.

Eminem Hooks up with TRIBE - Posted by Denz on Tuesday, July 15 2003

Eminem has collaborated with LA-based Samoan hip-hop crew Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E. on their forthcoming LP. 'West Koasta Nostra' brings together rival rappers from across the US and features additional appearances from Mack 10, WC, Kurupt, Knoc'Turnal, Crooked I, Kokane and Short Khop. Eminem produced and provided vocals for '911' - a track set to the sound of a firing gun that features the lyrics: "Hip-hop is in a state of 911/It feels like any minute the bomb is going to go off". Cypress Hill rapper B-Real also appears on the track, having been persuaded by Em to participate. Boo Yaa MC The Godfather said of Eminem: "It's all about mutual respect - He sees the struggle we go through and he wants to give back. "A lot of people want to pay him big money to do this, but he feels us. His whole concept is that he only wants to f*ck with real people." He added: "If people can look past Eminem being white and appreciate his music, then they can look past Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E. being Samoan gangstas and enjoy our music. "All we want is for the world to understand our pain. It isn't about gangs or any of that." The Godfather explained: "Our thing is we don't have no beef with nobody, so I wanted to bring it together... I got Death Row, I got Aftermath, all on one album." 'West Koasta Nostra' is due to be released in November.

Some Hometown Love - Posted by Denz on Monday, July 14 2003

DETROIT — It was labeled a "weekend of concerts," but the turnout was more like that of a super-sized convention. About 100,000 people from all over the country proved this past weekend that despite not having a new album drop in over a year, Slim Shady truly is a modern-day hip-hop messiah. "Eminem's God!" screamed a man from Lansing, Michigan, Saturday night. He was just one of the fans who had traveled to Detroit's Ford Field from just about everywhere imaginable to see Em perform in only the second show he's played this year. His third and last scheduled Stateside concert took place at the same venue Sunday. With the biggest rap show on earth taking on more of a rock show feel, a sea of hands stayed swaying up and down in the air with people yelling and cheering for Em and opening acts 50 Cent and Missy Elliott. When the curtain opened to show the same carnival set Slim used on the Anger Management Tour last summer (see "Eminem King Of The Carnival At Anger Management Tour Launch"), two video screens that hung high above the right and left sides of the stage read "A few weeks ago." Pre-filmed footage of a phone conversation between the evening's star and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick then aired with his Honor calling Europe, where Em was touring. Kilpatrick asked his city's most popular figure to come play a show in Rock City. Em obliged, but first, he said, he had business to attend to. Footage of Em going out on his balcony and imitating the Michael Jackson baby-dangling incident (see "Eminem Dangles His 'Baby' Jacko-Style, Gives Nauseated Fan His 'M' ") played, but then the screen cut off due to electrical difficulties. After five minutes of standing in the dark, fans applauded as the video finally came back up. On the screen, Em and D12 member Proof were greeted by a liquor-swigging chauffer (it turned out to be Kid Rock), who drove them up to the stage. That's when the accordions from "Square Dance" began wheezing. Like a small elite group of his peers, Em's live command of the mic is normally flawless. Although this show was no exception, his microphone gave him problems, and on a few songs you could barely hear Em's vocals due to feedback and other issues — not that the crowd seemed to notice. The problems didn't plague the Sunday show. On Saturday, the livelier of the two shows, there were virtually no lulls in either screams or vigorous body movements from the fans. D12 joined the fray for several songs including "Fight Music" and "Purple Pills," where psychedelic purple and yellow lights were cast on the arena. The video screens showing the performance also displayed a distorted fisheye look, making the group's heads seem much larger than their bodies. "How many people out there have had beef with their mothers?" Em asked the crowd out of the blue. Proof then instructed everyone to yell "F--- you, Debbie!" as the music for "Cleaning Out My Closet" started up. It literally looked like everyone — from 40-year-old men wearing dress shirts to little kids rocking basketball jerseys — were living vicariously through Em as they vehemently flooded the stadium singing the chorus. Slim Shady then spotlighted the next act to come from his Shady label, Obie Trice, with "Drips" and "S--- Hits the Fan." That led to 50 Cent coming onstage again, joining the duo for "I Just Wanna Love You." 50 and Em then rocked Rock City with "Patiently Waiting." Later, Em rode atop a Hummer that was sitting out in the crowd back to the middle of the audience, rhyming the words to "Lose Yourself" with a giant sign that read "8 Mile Road" hanging down from the rafters, inches from his head. After a ride back to the stage to perform cuts such as "Sing for the Moment" and "Without Me," Slim Shady closed the curtain on the Eminem Show with the grand finale, "Rap Game." The crowd seemed just as amped and ready to party as when they first walked in the arena and when 50 Cent and G-Unit along with D12 came back out to perform their posse cut. As on his Rock the Mic Tour outings, 50 started his show off with an actor imitating Frank Sinatra and singing "New York, New York." 50 only had about 7 feet from his skyscraper set to the edge of the stage as opposed to the 18 feet he has on the Rock the Mic Tour. This led to him having to make some split-second adjustments in the air when he finally made his entrance. Unfortunately, not calculating the distance correctly led to him taking a spill on the floor. It didn't matter, though, as he immediately won the crowd over with the potent one-two musical punch of "What Up Gangsta" and "Wanksta." Next, 50 continued taking blows at Ja Rule's career with a snippet of "I Smell Pu---" followed by "Backdown." Even people who came just to see Em and were not familiar with 50 or Ja followed the rap He-Man's order to put their middle fingers in the air. And with tens of thousands of single digits raised, 50 voiced his disdain, "F---Murder Inc." But even with the resounding approval 50 got on both nights during the "Work It" remix and "Magic Stick," there was no doubt that the weekend belonged to Slim Shady. "Eminem is number one to me," 50 proclaimed Sunday night. "He gave me my shot." Missy Elliott was definitely in the giving mood as she opened both shows with songs such as "She's a Bitch" and "Get Ur Freak On." Besides throwing freshly autographed sports jerseys and sneakers into the crowd, Elliott also gave of herself — literally — as she ran out on the floor and even into the bleachers to get love to fans. "I ran all the way around this muthaf---a," Missy huffed playfully before she brought out Monica out on both nights to perform "So Gone." "Somebody better say something, holla!" she said.

Lawsuit against Shady clothing - Posted by Denz on Monday, July 14 2003

Eminem faces more legal grief as a Nevada based company has filed a lawsuit against him claiming they were using the name Shady Inc. before the rapper launched his clothing line. Eminem's new collection of sports casual clothing, Shady Ltd. targets a similar market to that of the small Nevada business which distributes locally and through the Internet and mail order. Despite being in business since 1999, Shady Inc. did not register the name as a trademark until 2001. Eminem has been using the Slim Shady moniker since 1999 and he registered it as a trademark in that same year. "We were first and we used it in good faith," co-owner Thomas Hession told the Detroit Free Press. "We did not know at the time that Eminem was planning clothes." However, Eminem's legal representation argue that the Shady name has been so publicly associated with Eminem that the company should not have been permitted to trademark it. "We consider this a very frivolous claim that has been made," Eminem's lawyer Manny Pokotilow said. "It is what I would call a hit suit, which is in order to take advantage of somebody's celebrity status."

UK Charts - Posted by Denz on Sunday, July 13 2003

For the second week in a row, Beyonce tops the UK singles chart with 'Crazy In Love'. She fights off strong competition from Madonna, who goes in at two with 'Hollywood' and Pink's 'Feel Good Time' featuring William Orbit at three. Despite failing to get into the television talent show act Girls Aloud, Javine is clearly not without talent as her first single 'Real Things' enters the chart at four. Eminem is back in the top ten with 'Business' at number six. Former Hear'say member Kym Marsh's second solo single 'Come On Over' doesn't match the success of 'Cry' as it limps in at number ten. Three new entries in the top twenty go to Joe Budden's 'Pump It Up' at 13, Blur's 'Crazy Beat' at 18 and at 20, Kraftwerk's reworking of their classic tribute to the famous cycle race 'Tour De France'. Other noteable entries are Simply Red at 21 with 'Fake' and Avril Lavigne at 22 with 'Losing Grip'. In the album charts, Beyonce's 'Dangerously In Love' remains at one while glam-rockers The Darkness storm in at two with 'Permission To Land'.

Kim Charged - Posted by Denz on Wednesday, July 2 2003

Kim Mathers, former wife of rap superstar Eminem, has been charged with felony cocaine possession in the US, dotmusic can report. The 28-year-old, arrested near Detroit on June 10 after police found two bags of white powder in her Cadillac Escalade, was also charged with two driving violations. District Court Judge Mark Fratarcangeli signed a warrant charging Mathers with possession of cocaine, driving with a suspended license and unsafe driving near a stopped emergency vehicle. According to MTV, the drug charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in jail, whilst the traffic violations could each net Mathers three months imprisonment. As previously reported, Mathers - mother to Eminem's daughter Hailie - was arrested in July 2001 on felony cocaine possession, though charges were dropped five months later.

Poetry Praise - Posted by Denz on Tuesday, July 1 2003

Irish poet and Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney has praised the lyrical talents of Eminem, claiming the rap star has "sent a voltage around a generation". Speaking Norwich this week, Heaney said Eminem - who has previously attracted condemnation for his often misogynistic and homophobic lyrics - displayed a "verbal energy". According to the Daily Telegraph, Heaney singled out Eminem when asked if there was a figure of popular culture that aroused interest in poetry and lyrics like musicians such as Bob Dylan and John Lennon once did. "There is this guy Eminem. He has created a sense of what is possible," he said. "He has sent a voltage around a generation. He has done this not just through his subversive attitude but also his verbal energy." Eminem, who recently completed the UK leg of his Anger Management Tour, won an Academy Award earlier this year for 'Lose Yourself' - the track that accompanied his semi-autobiographical movie debut. He was also recently named the second most powerful celebrity in the world in a list compiled by US business magazine Forbes.