January 3, 2001 – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is speaking out against the Grammy Award nominations for Eminem's controversial release The Marshall Mathers LP. Today, Eminem received four Grammy nominations in the following categories: Album of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance, and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group – for a collaborative track with Dr. Dre.

Eminem's music and production values have been acclaimed as artistic breakthroughs by many of the nation's music critics. Yet his lyrics advocating violence against lesbians and gay men send explicit messages that endorse hatred.

Because Eminem's target audience is largely comprised of adolescent boys beginning to form their adult attitudes towards gays, lesbians and women in general, GLAAD believes it is important to address the issues of Eminem's lyrical and corporate responsibility, particularly now that his work is being honored by the Recording Academy.

Some aspects of controversy are:

• The inseparability of Eminem's music and his violent, anti-social lyrics.
• The refusal of Eminem, Interscope Records and Universal Music Group to take personal/corporate responsibility for the lyrical content of The Marshall Mathers LP.
• The implications of general category Grammy nominations as a high-profile platform for Eminem's messages of violence.

Excerpts of lyrics from The Marshall Mathers LP:

from the song "Killing":
"You faggots keep eggin me on
til I have you at knifepoint, then you beg me to stop?
SHUT UP! Give me your hands and feet
I said SHUT UP when I'm talkin to you
YOU HEAR ME? ANSWER ME!
Or I'ma kill you!"

from the song "Criminal":
"My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge
That'll stab you in the head
whether you're a fag or lez
Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest
Pants or dress – hate fags? The answer's 'yes'"

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.