By Clarence Burke Jr.
Date: 12/4/2003 6:50 PM

Eminem has answered the call of Source founder’s Dave Mays and Raymond “Benzino” Scott to further explain racist comments he made, on a tape that was recorded at least ten years ago.

The tape features the rapper using the word n*gger, when referring to African-American women.

In a statement released today (December 4)Eminem attributed the comments to his age and refuted the magazine’s claim that he was 18-years-old when the tape was made.

Eminem said that the magazine was actually hurting hip-hop, making it easier for the hip-hop community to be divided.

Below is the statement in it’s entirety:

"I did and said a lot of stupid sh*t when I was a kid, but that's part of growing up. The tape of me rapping 15 YEARS AGO AS A TEENAGER that was recently put out by The Source in no way represents who I was then or who I am today.

In becoming an adult, I've seen what hip-hop and rap music can do to touch millions of people. The music can be truly powerful, and it has helped improve race relations in a very real way. I want to use this negative attack on me as a positive opportunity to show that.

Dave Mays and Benzino are spitting in the face of what hip-hop and rap music have done to promote racial unity. Their attempt to use this old, foolish recording to damage me and, in turn, the positivity that hip-hop promotes is really nothing more than blatant self-promotion for a failing magazine and one man's lifeless music career. They're scared of what can happen if the hip-hop community shows it can live without them.

The methods being used and the poison being spread by The Source make it easier for the enemies of hip-hop and rap culture to divide us. Hip-hop has helped a generation deal with the poverty and prejudice that affect all of us -- whether you come from the projects or from a trailer park.

So while I think common sense tells you not to judge a man by what he may have said when he was a boy, I will say it straight up: I am sorry I said those things when I was 18. And I don't want to let anybody turn this into an opportunity to promote their own bullsh*t agenda."

Is he despicable for, first of all, saying what he said? Yes. Doubly so for being ignorant enough to put it on tape? Yes. But it was a statement he made 15 YEARS AGO. So him being 33 now minus 15 years puts him at 18 when that tape was made. Scenario: You're a 18 year old white kid who just got played by your ex girlfriend who happens to be black. Really, skin color is irrelevant in this situation, but nevertheless, you're not going to have nice things to say about her. Are your emotions going to cause you to say some shit that you wish you hadn't when it's all said and done? Probably. Em is definitely a jackass for saying that shit, but is this OLD ASS TAPE proof positive he's a racist? Absolutely not. And the line in question wasn't directly calling anyone a racial slur. It was along the lines of "I aint with that ni**a shit." So bottom line, he's a dumbass for saying that, but not the reincarnation of Hitler.