Eminem has defended his controversial lyrics, saying he'd rather have ''bad attention than no attention''.
The 41-year-old rapper, who releases his new album, Marshall Mathers LP 2, this Friday, says that he enjoys provoking a reaction.
Speaking to satellite radio network SiriusXM, he said: ''I'm in this game to press buttons . . . and spark conversation and to get a reaction out of people. And that's kind of how I've been from day one.
"You know just rapping in the hip hop shop, I want to say the lines that are going to get people's attention. And I would rather have . . . even if it's bad attention, than no attention at all.
Enimen added that he tries to stay away from social media: ''I really try not to pay attention. Put it this way, I want to keep my finger on the pulse of what's going on, so I don't want to be ignorant in that sense.
"But at the same time, I can't pay attention to what everyone is saying. I would never be able to make music, I don't think, if I got caught up in that. Because I would probably get caught up in some ugly arguments with people. 'Yo, drive to my house now.'
''It would consume a lot of my time and it would be very counter-productive for me to do that. But I still do, and that's what's f****** up.''
''I think it's cool if my records spark conversation, or a debate.''
