Trouble at the Grammys

NOMINATIONS for this year's Grammys went into meltdown when�bad boy rap artist Eminem was nominated for Best Album for his Marshall Mathers record. The phone lines and e-mail systems at the Academy's HQ were jammed solid by a tidal wave of complaints, previously unheard of in the history of the Awards.

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Unlike similar ceremonies, such as the MTV Awards, where artists are voted for by fans and critics, a mere 12,000 industry professionals give out the Grammys.

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But,�album sales show�Eminem has won over the public.�The album has shifted over eight million copies with its robust raps of murder, homophobia and general mayhem.

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Homosexual pressure group Gay And Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation�is expected to protest outside the awards ceremony when it takes place next month.

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Eminem�takes no prisoners, his�lyircs refer to such pleasant pastimes�as killing his wife (from whom he is estranged) and raping his mother (who is in the process of suing him for defamation). Only his daughter escapes his vitriol.

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In a prophetic rhyme,�he speaks to his alter ego - Slim Shady, saying, 'You think I give a damn about a Grammy'. But Slim what if you win wouldn't it be weird �The irony of victory given his oft-stated contempt for the people in the music industry will not be lost on him, or them.

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Critics have referred to�Eminem as a modern version of� just about anyone, from Elvis, to Ogden Nash, via Lenny Bruce and Elvis Presley.

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Traditionally, the winner of the Best Album category performs a song live on television as the Awards are broadcast, although the chances of�Eminem appearing are aptly described as being slim.

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The Grammys are broadcast on 21 February. Eminem plays three stadium concerts in England earlier in the month. They are all sold out.

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