In a decision that may come as a surprise to many radio stations that assume a label’s edited version is broadcast friendly, federal regulators fined a Colorado radio station $7,000 for playing an edited version of Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady,” Variety reports. KKMG-FM repeatedly played the edited version of the song provided by Interscope Records during the spring and summer of 2000. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which bans patently offensive broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., ruled after a listener filed an indecency complaint in July. The station stopped playing the controversial song after receiving the FCC ruling on June 1.The FCC told Variety that the edited version of the song contains unmistakably offensive sexual references. The station has not yet paid the fine and is considering a course of action.
This is not the first time Eminem’s lyrics have sparked controversy. The rapper won a legal victory against his mother, Debbie R. Mathers-Briggs, who brought two defamation lawsuits against her son because of defamatory lyrics and comments he has made about her in interviews. Mathers-Briggs had originally agreed to settle the two lawsuits for $25,000 but later tried to renege on the oral agreement. Her new attorney claims she was pressured into making the deal and did so without the knowledge of her previous attorney, according to Launch.com.
On another legal front, Rolling Stone reports that Eminem’s sentencing on charges of brandishing a firearm in public and carrying a concealed weapon has been delayed. The charges stem from a June 3 incident in which the rapper pulled an unloaded gun on Insane Clown Posse member Douglas Dail. Eminem entered a no contest plea that kept the case from going to trial. Though it constitutes a conviction, he may withdraw the no contest plea if he is not satisfied with the outcome, which will send the case to trial.
