Eminem agrees to drop homophobic lyrics

Rapper Eminem promises to tone down his homophobic lyrics for UK show.

London: Rapper Eminem will return to the British stage for the first time in half a decade after promising to tone down his homophobic lyrics.

Organisers of the Wireless Festival to be held in Hyde Park next summer, have persuaded the rapper to drop his anti-gay songs to avoid any demonstrations, which have plagued the artiste`s previous performances, reported a news daily. Following Eminem`s pledge, the organisers have agreed a deal with gay rights groups not to picket the event. The last time Eminem toured the country in 2001, gay rights groups protested outside his shows, saying his lyrics were homophobic. "This is a huge signing for Wireless and it will be the hottest ticket this summer. The organisers were afraid campaigners could potentially ruin the event. Eminem only agreed to sign up when assurances had been made that there would not be any protests," a festival insider said. "He will be bringing a huge entourage of security with him but there is still the risk that protesters may picket the hotel he stays in. We have a condition that he does not use lyrics that encourage or incite hatred against gay people," added the source. Activists picketed his 2001 shows, waving banners and the rainbow flag of the gay movement while chanting "stop the bigotry". Although Eminem claims his lyrics are not meant to be taken seriously, gay rights groups objected to his use of the word `faggot` and called him a "gay-basher". PTI