In 2006, Eminem was as off the radar as he's been all decade. Now that we've gotten a taste of new material coming from Marshall Mathers in the near future, we've also gotten a taste of all the baggage associated with the rap star. Miad Jarbou, a resident of affluent Detroit suburb Royal Oak, is suing Eminem for $25,000 for an assault charge dating back to 2006:

According to court papers, Jarbou was at the urinals with a friend when Eminem strolled in with another man, assumed by Jarbou to be a bodyguard. Jarbou's friend said, "Hey Eminem, what's up man?" The bodyguard answered, "Shut the fuck up, man! Don't say another word." But Jarbou continued, saying: "Hey man, my friend ain't starting trouble. It's just cool to see Eminem." It was at his point, alleges Jarbou, that Eminem came forward and "drove his fist in a violent punching manner" into Jarbou's smiling face, knocking him to the ground. Eminem and his pal then made a hasty exit.

A police report was filed back when it occured in 2006, but charges have only been raised recently. That this news comes with Eminem's recent mini-resurgence, combined with the fact that the damages sought are so relatively small, makes me raise an eyebrow slightly. Not that the charge isn't legit, it just seems the timing is a little...apt, no?

Nonetheless, the news of this lawsuit, which will almost certainly be settled, mars the hype surrounding Eminem's return ever so slightly.

[The Guardian (U.K.)]