Eminem Agrees to Drop Homophobic Lyrics for Uk Festival

29 December 2009

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Rapper Eminem has bowed to pressure from the organisers of London's Wireless Festival, agreeing to change homophobic lyrics from some of his more controversial songs to prevent gay rights campaigners protesting the event next summer (10).

The hip-hop heavyweight, real name Marshall Mathers Iii, has frequentlycome under attack from the gay community for repeatedly using offensive words on tracks like Criminal and Without Me.

But he has agreed to steer clear of controversy when he takes to the stage at the Wireless Festival in July (10) after he was reassured British activists at Out Rage! would not picket the concert - if he agreed to tonedown his lyrics.

Society's moved on in the last 10 years

OutRage! spokesman David Allison says, "We have a condition that he does not use lyrics that encourage or incite hatred against gay people.

"He is free to express his views on gay people, as long as he stays offthe violence and hatred. He has got plenty of other lyrics to choose from. In recent years he has become quite well-behaved.

"I think he realises singing songs advocating hate and violence just won't wash any more. Society's moved on in the last 10 years".

Members of the gay rights organisation famously picketed an Eminem showin Britain in 2001 when he refused to change his offensive lyrics.

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