Eminem, Elton Single Coming
Eminem and Elton John‘s much-talked-about rendition of “Stan,” from the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards, will be released as a single. The song has already been sent to radio, but the release date for the hard copy has yet been established. A portion of the proceeds from the song will benefit the MusiCares Foundation, part of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences that services “health, human service and welfare needs” of musicians.
The performance triggered a protest by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against defamation, who accused Eminem of homophobia in the lyrics of the songs from his The Marshall Mathers LP. Last year, GLAAD bestowed the Vito Russo Entertainer Award, one of its highest honors, upon John for his work in combating homophobia. When the organization learned that he would be playing piano and singing the chorus to the song (which was originally sampled from Dido’s “Thank You”), they issued a statement that read in part: “We are disappointed that Sir Elton John will be performing with Eminem at the Grammy Awards. John has played an enormous role in educating the world about AIDS and gay issues through his music and charitable work. GLAAD is appalled that John would share a stage with Eminem, whose words and actions promote hate and violence against gays and lesbians.”