LONDON (Reuters) - Controversial American rapper Eminem (news - web sites) is up to his old tricks again, this time trying to shock fans by dressing up as Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) in his new video.
Aired on BBC's "Top of the Pops" for the first time in this country on Friday, the video for his single "Without Me", saw Eminem play the character of bin Laden dressed in combat clothes hiding in a cave.
The footage mimics CNN's news coverage, with a red ENN logo on the bottom left of the screen in the same style as that of the American network.
"Bin Laden" is seen trying to escape but is captured by a group of rappers and starts dancing to the song.
The video also sees Eminem poke fun at fellow music artists Moby and Elvis, and at Batman's sidekick Robin.
The release of the video comes at a time when the U.S. is still nervous about further attacks following September 11 and when British and American troops are continuing ground battles in Afghanistan (news - web sites).
However, Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers III) has never been one to shy away from controversy and over the years has managed to upset politicians, musicians and even his own mum -- Debbie Mathers-Briggs.
She launched a $10 million (seven million pounds) lawsuit against him for using the lyrics "my mom smokes more dope than I do" on his number one hit "My Name Is" -- featured on the "Slim Shady" LP.
The 29-year-old, who likes to kick-off his live shows impersonating the killer from the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" movie, has also used his rapping lyrics to insult Britney Spears, Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera.
In June 2001 he was sentenced to one year's probation and community service by a U.S. judge for firearm offences.
He was also banned from performing at Sheffield University by its students' union -- again because of the lyrics used in some of his songs which they claimed were homophobic.
Posted by Jen on Saturday, May 4, 2002 @ 02:16 p.m.
MARATHON, Fla.--(BW SportsWire)--May 4, 2002--Nick Carter, one of the acclaimed Backstreet Boys' pop music group, loves offshore powerboat racing.
His father, Bob Carter, is even more enamored of the sport.
Between them, the two residents of Marathon, in the Florida Keys, have established the Nick Carter Racing Team and are scheduled to have their first hometown start Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19, at the APBA Marathon Offshore Grand Prix, the second race of the American Power Boat Association's 2002 offshore racing season.
The Carter team, won the Super Vee class at the circuit's first race, April 28 in Daytona Beach. The boat is driven by Steve Oropeza and throttled by Lee Murray, both of Key West, Fla. Bob Carter was scheduled to drive, but says a back injury is keeping him on shore.
Nick Carter is contemplating the purchase of a second, smaller boat to personally race in while he learns the intricacies of offshore competition before moving up to a larger boat. Meanwhile his team's focus is squarely aimed at the Marathon event.
"This race will be 100 percent visible from the old Seven-Mile Bridge where most of the spectators will be," race producer Lee Mills said.
Offshore racing is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday with races beginning at noon and 2 p.m. both days. Race headquarters is at Hawk's Cay Resort.
A one-day race viewing pass on the bridge costs $15; a two-day ticket is $25. A combination pass for bridge viewing and access to the race village costs $40 a person. A special VIP viewing area providing lunch buffet and race poster costs $100 for one day and $150 for both days. "Nick Carter and his brother Aaron are planning to spend both race days in the VIP area," Mills said.
Posted by Jen on Saturday, May 4, 2002 @ 02:14 p.m.
In The News is a site devoted to Entertainment news found from various
sources on the Internet. In The News will mostly focus on Top-40 music news (mostly pop music
news) and news on the hottest celebrities. In The News cannot
guarantee the credibility of the articles found within the site. We are
only as credible as our sources make us. If an article has been found to
be false, we will make sure it is known as soon as possible.
In The News is archived daily, so to view news from past days updates, check the Archives.