VMA Controversy for Eminem, DMX
September 7 -- Leading the pack with six nominations at tonight's MTV Video Music Awards, Eminem could be the evening's big winner — only 'N Sync has as many nominations. But not everybody is rooting for the controversial rapper. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the same media watchdog that issued a statement voicing its displeasure with lyrics on The Marshall Mathers LP in May, is scheduled to protest Eminem in front of Radio City Music Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. (EDT).
In a statement issued Wednesday, GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry, an early MTV employee, says Eminem's chart-topping sophomore full-length album, featuring the vitriolic "Criminal" — which includes lyrical bon mots like "Hate fags?/ The answer's yes" — "contains the most blatantly offensive, homophobic lyrics GLAAD has ever seen." The group met with MTV executives in June to air its grievances and asked them to stop promoting the rap star, to no avail.
"By giving Eminem the biggest spotlight MTV offers artists each year, it is clear that our concerns have fallen on deaf ears," continues Garry. "It's time to make sure that we are heard. Eminem has refused to take responsibility for the violence his lyrics promote, and by placing him center stage tonight, MTV has traded responsibility for ratings."
One star who won't have to worry about clashing with protesters in DMX. For the second year in a row, the rapper blew off a pre-show rehearsal Wednesday and has been dropped from the event by the VMA producers. Nelly, the St. Louis rapper whose album Country Grammar has topped the charts for four weeks straight, will perform in his place at tonight's ceremony.
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