Eminem

Eminem is hard at work on his first studio album in three years. The rapper called into New York radio station Hot 97 on Thursday, as his protégé 50 Cent was doing an interview to promote his new album, and spoke about his own endeavors. "I'm always working -- I'm always in the studio," Eminem said. "It feels good right now ... For a while, I didn't want to go back to the studio ... I went through some personal things. I'm coming out of those personal things (and) it feels good." Also said jokingly said he'd release his new CD "tomorrow," though there is no official release date, according to Interscope, which distributes his releases. A record producer has sued rappers 50 Cent and Lil' Kim and two record companies for $2 million, claiming they failed to pay him royalties on a song that sold 2 million copies. Carlos Evans says in papers filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court he contracted with Rotten Apple Records in January 2003 to produce, engineer and mix the hit hip hop track "Magic Stick," which was performed by 50 Cent and Lil' Kim. Evans, of Staten Island, says he was to get a $7,500 advance and royalties for working on the song. His court papers say that he was paid the advance and nothing else and that his requests for a royalties audit have been ignored. Evans' lawsuit, filed Wednesday, seeks $1 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages. Rapper T.I. received nine nominations for the second annual BET Hip Hop awards show, which will air on Oct. 17. Last year, the self-proclaimed "King of the South" garnered eight nominations, and won three awards. Lil' Wayne is second in total nominations this year, with seven. Kanye West drew six, Common earned five, Jay-Z grabbed four, and Ludacris and 50 Cent got three each.