Ya Heard: Pictures of Eminem cause speculation

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."

According to MTV, there's been an Eminem sighting. Photographs of the Shady One at an apparent video shoot hit the Net earlier this week. While his label is not commenting on the photos, speculation is Em may have been working on a video for his upcoming LP "Relapse."

While MTV could not confirm what Eminem was up to, the multimedia juggernaut did, however, catch up with 50 Cent who went on to speak of his elusive partner in rhyme.

"It's always a pleasure working with Em for me. When I leave here, I'm actually going back to the States, to Detroit, to work with him again." 50 says. "You know, me and Em, we work really close together. He's like a relative to me. ... He's done something for me. He's like my grandmother. He's someone that provided an opportunity for me to take care of myself when I couldn't take care of myself. My grandma did it when I was a child, and then Em provided the opportunity for me as an adult."

OK, I understand the comment; I get it, the whole relative thing. Cool. Yet, isn't there a better analogy 50 could have used besides "[Em] is like my grandmother?"

It doesn't sound right, however you spin it. I guess it's that Hollywood multi-millionaire lingo I'll never understand. (Deep inside, I really want to though.)

As for their latest music, 50's "Before I Self Destruct" is scheduled to hit stores Feb. 4, while no release date has yet been set for Eminem's "Relapse."

T.I. AND KILLER MIKE LOOK TO EXPAND THEIR HUSTLE

Killer Mike is in the process of putting his Grind Time music label under T.I.'s Grand Hustle Entertainment umbrella. The two Atlanta emcees have confirmed they are close to closing a mutually beneficial deal.

Mike recently told allhiphop.com, "I've worked very hard at making sure that I was able to not only live off the independent scene, but become a force in the independent rap music scene. Tip is encouraging me to be a businessman, and he's encouraging the efforts I've already put forth. This is an industry of slaves and sharecroppers. And most people just try to either enslave you or make you a sharecropper. And sharecropping, it ain't perfect, but it's a lot more noble than slavery. I'll be happy to work the whole field as long as I can own a small piece or make a profit."

Killer Mike jumped onto the scene in 2003 as a part of Big Boi's Purple Ribbon label. His debut album, "Monster," was well received by fans and critics alike. Although it seemed the creative chemistry between Mike and his then-recording home was a perfect match, Mike decided to leave the label in 2006 for the independent route. That move seems to have paid off, as Mike is now in a position to benefit from T.I.'s golden touch.

Although Grand Hustle's presence is more visible than Killer Mike's music, the label is sure to benefit greatly with the addition of Killer Mike. Aside from its superstar CEO/artist T.I, the Grand Hustle label has struggled to develop another strong artist. Even with recognizable names such as B.G. and Young Dro, the buzz for anyone outside of T.I. is non-existent. An artist such as Killer Mike could go a long way in changing that reality.

As far as his appeal in the music biz, Mike told allhiphop.com, "I ain't cute as Tip or as wavy as Max B. I don't have the swagger of Jim Jones. I don't have the cool of Jay-Z or the weird loveable-ness of Dre or Wayne, but I think that people sense a certain realness about me and a certain integrity and I think people relate."

Be on the look out for Killer Mike's first release under the Grind Time/Grand Hustle imprint "16 in the Kitchen," early 2009.

DMX AGAIN!

DMX was arrested this week in Miami on a warrant issued for missing a court date in Arizona.

Reportedly, X was to appear for proceedings for drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty charges. After X did not appear in court, a $5,000 reward was issued for information leading to the rapper's arrest.

After being tipped off, federal authorities were sent to producer Scott Storch's Miami mansion, oddly enough, to apprehend X. It is unclear whether or not the producer was at the residence at the time, but who knew X and Storch were so tight? Storch has had his fair share of troubles this year. He was wanted for a missed court date for child support payments, and his house was foreclosed. Ouch! He is currently in the midst of getting his business back in order, so why let a wanted fugitive crash at your crib!?!

X is in a Miami county jail and is expected to be extradited to Arizona within the coming weeks.

The DMX saga gets crazier by the day…

YA HEARD TRIVA

In the classic hip-hop basketball movie "Above the Rim," the late Tupac Shakur plays a demanding win-at-all-cost basketball coach. What was the name of his character?

Be the third person to e-mail me the correct answer to the trivia question and receive two free AMC movie tickets courtesy of the News & Messenger.

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.