Alleged homophobia

With the enormous popularity of The Marshall Mathers LP, the controversy surrounding him grew even larger, especially when it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Though Mathers had always claimed that his lyrics were not meant to be taken seriously, and that he had nothing against homosexuals or women, the gay rights group GLAAD organized a boycott of the Grammys. Mathers responded to this by rapping "Stan" on-stage with openly gay singer Elton John, ending the performance by hugging John. This gesture failed to appease many of his critics. He said he did not know Elton John was gay, but he told Kurt Loder after the awards show that he respected him: "Of course I'd heard of Elton John," Eminem said, "but I didn't know he was gay. I didn't know anything about his personal life. I didn't really care, but being that he was gay and he had my back, I think it made a statement in itself saying that he understood where I was coming from." ^[1] Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards, commonly referred to as the Grammys) are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievements in the record industry. ... Look up Boycott in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE[1][2] (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Kurt Loder (born May 5, 1945 in New Jersey) is an American journalist, writer, and author. ...

Racist tapes

In the midst of the Benzino-Eminem beef, Benzino found two tapes of a young Eminem rapping what could have been believed to be racist. Among the two songs, Eminem said, "I don't like that nigger shit" and also that "black girls only want your money." As soon as the songs became public, Eminem immediately released an apology for the controversial songs. Eminem would again apologize for the lyrics in the song "Yellow Brick Road" off his album Encore. Eminem tried to explain how the songs came to being made in that the first song was him trying to sound "whack." The second he said he did after a bad breakup with a girlfriend who was black. Raymond Scott (born October 24, 1965) is a rapper known as Benzino. ... The road of yellow brick is an element in the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. ...

"But I've heard people say they've heard a tape, and it ain't that bad, but it was I singled out a whole race, and for that I apologize, I was wrong, 'cause no matter what color a girl is she still a ho.."

Immediately after the release of Eminem's first apology, Def Jam CEO Russell Simmons came out in accepting Eminem's apology and since then, with the exception of Benzino, other rappers have mostly forgotten or simply dropped the issue. Russell Simmons (born October 4, 1957 in Queens, NY), is an African American entrepreneur, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, and founder of another label, Russell Simmons Music Group. ...

Violence towards women

The two 'eye-opening' songs most often cited as examples in The Marshall Mathers LP of Mathers' supposed misogyny were "Kill You" and "Kim." Critics claimed the former portrayed extremely violent abuse against women in general and contained a line about him raping his own mother. The latter is not so much a song as it is a reenactment of a fictional fight between him and his wife, although his shouted, hoarse lines do rhyme. Despite his conflicting expressions of love and hate throughout the track, he ends up slitting Kim's throat at the end, accompanied by cries of "Bleed, bitch, bleed!" Several people objected to the graphic description of domestic violence. On the clean version of the CD, the track was removed and replaced with a song almost entirely devoid of profanity called "The Kids." Misogyny () is hatred or strong prejudice against women. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Criticism of other artists

Eminem's provocative style has resulted in a number of high-profile feuds erupting between the rapper and some of his music industry peers. He has at one time or another had disputes with artists including Ja Rule, former Source magazine co-owner Raymond "Benzino" Scott, Everlast, Royce Da 5'9", Canibus, Insane Clown Posse, Vanilla Ice, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Limp Bizkit (specifically members Fred Durst and DJ Lethal), Jermaine Dupri, Moby, Nelly, Esham, Cage and Christina Aguilera, as well as actors Christopher Reeve and Richard Gere. Jeffrey Atkins (born February 29, 1976), better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper from Hollis, Queens, New York City, New York, United States. ... Raymond Scott (born October 24, 1965) is a rapper known as Benzino. ... Everlast (born Erik Schrody, August 18, 1969 in Valley Stream, New York) is an American singer-songwriter, known for his genre-crossing mix of rap and acoustic-based rock music. ... Ryan Montgomery (born July 5, 1977), is an African-American rapper known by his stage name Royce Da 59. He was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. ... Germaine Williams (born December 9, 1974), better known as Canibus and also as Can-I-Bus and Rip the Jacker, is a Jamaican-born, American MC and rapper. ... The Insane Clown Posse (ICP) is an American horrorcore/hip hop/rapcore duo originally from Delray, Michigan, consisting of Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler). ... Robert Matthew Vanilla Ice Van Winkle (born October 31, 1968 in Miami Lakes, Florida) is an American rapper, known mostly for the single Ice Ice Baby, which topped the charts in the early 1990s. ... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as Madonna, is a five-time Grammy award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Willard Christopher Will Smith, Jr. ... Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is a Grammy Award-winning American pop singer, dancer, actress, author and songwriter. ... Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1970) is a American pop and R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, music video director and actress. ... Limp Bizkit (alternately spelled as limpbizkit) is a band from Jacksonville, Florida. ... William Frederick Durst (born August 20, 1970 in Jacksonville, Florida) is the lead singer for the band Limp Bizkit. ... Leor DiMant (born December 18, 1972 in Riga, Latvia), known as DJ Lethal, is a turntablist and producer, best known as a member of the band Limp Bizkit, and formerly a member of the Irish-American-influenced hip hop group House of Pain. ... Jermaine Dupri also known simply as JD (born Jermaine Dupri Mauldin on September 23, 1972) is an African-American record producer and rapper. ... Moby(born Richard Melville Hall on September 11, 1965 in Harlem, New York, and raised in Darien, Connecticut) is an American singer and electronic musician. ... Cornell Haynes Jr. ... Esham (born Rashaam Smith on September 20, 1977) is a hardcore rapper from Detroit, Michigan. ... Cage Kennylz (real name Christian Palko), commonly known as Cage, is an underground rapper based in New York City, United States. ... Christina Maria Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is a five-time Grammy Award-winning American pop singer-songwriter. ... Christopher Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, director, producer and writer. ... Richard Tiffany Gere[1] (born August 31, 1949) is an American actor. ...

Criticism of George W. Bush

Eminem votes in the video Mosh.

On December 8, 2003, the United States Secret Service admitted it was "looking into" allegations that Mathers had threatened the President of the United States after the unreleased song "We As Americans" leaked onto the Web. The lyrics in question: "Fuck money / I don't rap for dead presidents / I'd rather see the president dead / It's never been said, but I set precedents...". The song was being recorded to possibly be on Encore, but wound up on a bonus CD accompanying the album instead. The second use of the word "dead" was backmasked in that version. The skit was also used in Immortal Technique's song "Bin Laden", stated near the end. Immortal Technique also attacks the president on the song. Eminem at the front of a crowd of anti-bush voters in Mosh. ... Eminem at the front of a crowd of anti-bush voters in Mosh. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Secret Service redirects here. ... The presidential seal was first used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... WWWs historical logo designed by Robert Cailliau The World Wide Web (WWW or simply the Web) is a system of interlinked, hypertext documents that runs over the Internet. ... Backmasking (also incorrectly[1] known as backward masking) is an audio technique in which sounds are recorded backwards onto a track that is meant to be played forwards. ... Felipe Coronel (born February 19, 1978), better known as Immortal Technique, is a hip hop MC and political activist. ...

On October 26, 2004, a week before the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, Eminem released the video for his song titled "Mosh" on the internet. The song features a very strong anti-Bush message, with lyrics such as "fuck Bush" and "this weapon of mass destruction that we call our president." The video features Mathers gathering up an army of people presented as victims of the Bush administration and leading them to the White House. However, once the army breaks in, it is revealed that they are there to simply register to vote, and the video ends with the words "VOTE Tuesday November 2" on the screen. October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Presidential election results map. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... Weapons of Mass Destruction is also the name of rapper Xzibits 2004 album. ... The Bush administration includes President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney, Bushs Cabinet, and other select officials and advisors. ... North façade of the White House, seen from Pennsylvania Avenue. ...

After Bush won the election, the video's ending was changed to Eminem and the protesters invading while Bush was giving a speech.

Michael Jackson

On October 12, 2004, a week after the release of "Just Lose It", Eminem's first single off Encore, Michael Jackson called into the Los Angeles-based Steve Harvey radio show to report his displeasure with the video, which parodies Jackson's child molestation trial, plastic surgery, and an incident in which Jackson's hair caught on fire while filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984. The lyrics to "Just Lose It" also refer to Jackson's legal troubles, however he does state in his song "...and thats not a stab at Michael/Thats just a metaphor/I'm just psycho...". Many of Jackson's supporters and friends spoke out about the video, including Stevie Wonder, who called the video "kicking a man while he's down" and "bullshit",^[2] and Steve Harvey who declared, "Eminem has lost his ghetto pass. We want the pass back." ^[3] In the video, Eminem also parodied Pee Wee Herman, MC Hammer, and a Blonde-Ambition-touring Madonna. October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Just Lose It is a song by American rapper Eminem, released in 2004. ... For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Steve Harvey in a scene from (2006) Broderick Steven Steve Harvey (born January 17, 1957 in Welch, West Virginia) is an American actor, entertainer and comedian. ... Sexual abuse is physical or psychological abuse that involves crimes in most countries. ... Plastic surgery is a specialty that uses surgical techniques to change the appearance and function of patients bodies. ... Pepsi-Cola, commonly called Pepsi, is a soft drink produced and manufactured by PepsiCo. ... Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris),[1] a singular musical talent, is an African American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and social activist. ... Steve Harvey in a scene from (2006) Broderick Steven Steve Harvey (born January 17, 1957 in Welch, West Virginia) is an American actor, entertainer and comedian. ... Paul Reubens as Pee-Wee in Pee-wees Big Adventure. ... MC Hammer (born Stanley Kirk Burrell in Oakland, California, on March 30, 1962) is an American rapper who was popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s, known for his dramatic rise to and fall from fame and fortune, his trademark parachute pants, and for leaving a lasting influence on... Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), better known as Madonna, is a five-time Grammy award winning American pop singer, songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. ...

Album cover of Encore (2004)

Black Entertainment Television was the first channel to stop airing the video. MTV, however, announced it would continue airing the video, and "Just Lose It" became the #1 requested video on Total Request Live for the week ending October 22. The Source, through its CEO Raymond "Benzino" Scott, wanted not only the video to be pulled, but the song off the album, and a public apology to Jackson from Mathers.^[4] Image File history File links Eminem_-_Encore. ... Image File history File links Eminem_-_Encore. ... Encore is an album by the rap artist Eminem. ... Black Entertainment Television is an American cable network targeted toward African-American audiences in the United States. ... Total Request Live (commonly known as TRL) is the flagship television series on MTV that features popular music videos. ... October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... Raymond Scott (born October 24, 1965) is a rapper known as Benzino. ...

Others dismissed "Just Lose It" as a tame "Weird Al" Yankovic-style knockoff.^[5] Regarding Jackson's protest, Yankovic, who parodied the Eminem song "Lose Yourself" on a track titled "Couch Potato" on his 2003 album Poodle Hat, told the Chicago Sun-Times, "Last year, Eminem forced me to halt production on the video for my "Lose Yourself" parody because he somehow thought that it would be harmful to his image or career. So the irony of this situation with Michael is not lost on me". Weird Al Yankovic (album) Alfred Matthew Weird Al Yankovic (IPA pronunciation: ; born October 23, 1959) is an American musician, satirist, parodist, accordionist, and television producer. ... Poodle Hat is the eleventh album by Weird Al Yankovic, that was released on May 20, 2003. ... The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago. ... Irony, from the Greek εἴρων (iron), is a literary or rhetorical device made of iron, in which there is a gap or incongruity between what a speaker or a writer says, and what is generally understood (either at the time, or in the later context of history). ...

Drug use

In summer 2005, Mathers embarked on his first US concert run in three years, the Anger Management 3 Tour, featuring Lil' Jon, 50 Cent and G-Unit, D12, Obie Trice, The Alchemist, and others. In August 2005, Mathers canceled the European leg of the tour and subsequently announced that he had entered drug rehabilitation for treatment for a "dependency on sleep medication." Lil Jon This article is about the American rap producer. ... For the U.S. currency value, see Half dollar (United States coin). ... Obie Trice III (born November 14, 1977) is an African American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. ... The Alchemist, born Alan Maman, is one of East Coast hip hops leading producers. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

At the same time as he was entering rehab, his aunt and uncle, Jack and Betty Schmitt, sued him, charging that he had reneged on a promise to build a $350,000 house for them and supply them with money for the house's upkeep. The couple claimed that Mathers had kept the house in his name, and then issued them eviction orders.