I think its fair to assume that, being a site consistently involved in the promotion of music bordering on the "white indie/punk" area of the market, rap isn't the first thing on your musical menu. Also, considering the eclectic nature of most of the people involved in this site, Eminem (to some the Vanilla Ice that just won't go away) will be a figure of hate. Although I suspect some of you chill to some Pharcyde or have The Chronic in your CD collection. Shame really, because Mr Marshall Mathers actually is pretty shit hot at what he does. He can't be taken seriously like DMX but could you take Flavour Flav by what he says?

D-12 are Eminem's project. His band of rappers and MC's, doing everything the white boy rapper does, but with that whole gang camaraderie goin' on. With the exception of Dead Prez and the like, rap can be fucking hilarious. It was born out of the ghetto, and basically takes beats and samples and then puts it under a typical conversation held between friends. How many times have you talked about what your parents would be like on LSD, or the drawbacks of anal sex? Speed these things up and make it lyrical, then you have a rap. Purple Hills is a great rap track. The rap's flow constantly over the catchy bopping beats, and there is a hint of psychedelia as they all decide, "nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple hills". Joke after cheeky gibe laps over and the atmosphere of a group of mates (or "Homies" if you want to be cynical) just taking the piss in the most funky way. Certainly this track won't turn the heads of the hardcore melody-hunters that are the indie crew, but i'm sure it could become one of those tracks you would have loved to hate...Only to embaressingly hum it some time.

Whether you like it or not, Eminem has brought a very dry scene back to magazine covers and musical palettes everywhere. Don't believe the hype? That would be your choice.