Photo: MTV News

• Lil Wayne
• Dr. Dre
• Stat Quo
• Cassidy
• Lloyd Banks

Eminem
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Eminem is cocked, loaded and back in the game. His would-be-mixtape-turned-compilation-LP, Eminem Presents the Re-Up, is headed to #2 on the Billboard albums chart, and as the 309,000 fans who copped the disc have found out, he has a whole new arsenal of artists he's working on.

Of course you're already familiar with 50 Cent (whose Before I Self Destruct LP is coming in early 2007) and Obie Trice (whose third effort is due next Christmas or in early 2008), but who exactly are the new guys? If you don't know them already, buckle up: You're about to get real familiar as we run down some of Slim Shady's latest recruits:

Name: The Alchemist

From: L.A.

Role: The Re-Up producer; Eminem's DJ; top-flank producer for Mobb Deep, the Lox and G-Unit

Down Since: 2005, when Em's DJ at the time, Green Lantern, abruptly parted ways with the camp

Re-Up Experience: "We pulled it off," he said. "It started out like a mixtape for the street and developed into this. Everyone is working on their albums, and they have to go in and make these songs that will be big. You expect that from a major artist, but to go in and just do stuff for the mixtape and put it in the stores is dope. This fits perfectly on a mixtape because everyone was just being themselves. I put [the album sequence] together like how I do my mixtapes. I went to Detroit and hooked up with Em. He gave me a couple of days to piece the joint together. It wasn't about using a bunch of intricate blends; it's about delivering you to the next song. It had to flow."

2007 Business: "Chemical Warfare is the name of the new sh--," Al said about his next solo release, which could very well come out independently. "It's hard. I'm just waiting for the right time, crafting my records; in the meantime, I'm dropping mixtapes. When it shapes to what I want it to be, I'll start promoting my album and it'll be dropping. Without blowing up, I'm working with most of the usual suspects: the Mobb, I'm also collaborating with the Shady/G-Unit camp. I'm rhyming a little more, having more fun making records. It's still about my beats though."

Name: Ca$his

From: Orange County, California, by way of Chicago

Role: Spearhead the next wave of Shady Records' dope MCs

Down Since: "I got signed on March 7, 2006," he said. Ca$his was called off the bench when Em heard "Talkin' All That Sh--," one of the first songs he recorded for the label. He got his name years ago, though, because his trash-talking reminded friends of Cassius Clay, a.k.a. Muhammad Ali.

Re-Up Experience: "It's a good look," he said. "I'm honored to be a part of this album. I'm extremely honored to be a part of that single ['You Don't Know']. This time last year, I never thought I would be on anything Eminem-affiliated. It's overwhelming, but it pushes me to write even harder because I don't ever want anybody to feel I have a spot I don't deserve. I go hard like I don't have a record deal."

2007 Business: "I got an EP dropping late January, County Hound," he said. "I'm mixing it down. I call it that because I used to live in Cook County, Chicago, then moved to Orange County, California. And I've been to county jail.

"Then the album should be [dropping] sometime this summer. It's called Forks and Six Point Stars. I'm working with Alchemist, I got some joints from Emile, [(+44) drummer] Travis Barker, Jelly Roll, supposed to go in with DJ Quik, I have over 200 songs recorded for the album. Anything we do now is just the finishing touches. I'm gonna do like 30 more songs. Me and Em gotta go back in too. Every time I go to Em's crib in Detroit, I walk out with 15 songs. I'm getting something from [Dr. Dre] too."

Name: Bobby Creekwater

From: Atlanta

Role: Ride that Down South momentum to international fame as an MC

Down Since: This time last year. He was discovered by Shady A&R Director Riggs Morales.

Re-Up Experience: "Em, he's definitely ... dude is more focused, and he re-energized us. Being able to see a veteran that has reached the top of the food chain as far as music is concerned, we aspire to get to that point. Seeing him motivates us to go that much more harder. The energy [in the studio] is crazy. As a MC, you don't wanna be the one not coming with it. You might hear somebody bussin' and say, 'Let me get back to the pen and pad.' "

2007 Business: "Bobby is my grandfather's name," the ATL native began to explain about the origins of his moniker, while giving a little insight into his debut LP. "Creekwater, the full meaning of that name, is on the Brilliant Mistake album — my solo album, which comes out first quarter 2007. That title came from a conversation I had with my mother talking about child birth. You have people that plan to have children and children are sometimes things of circumstance. I asked her, 'Was I a child of circumstance or was I planned?' She said I wasn't planned. So I said, 'I was a mistake then?' She said, 'God don't make mistakes. Even if he did, it would be a brilliant mistake.'

"I'm working with all in-house [artists] thus far. I'm probably mid-point and haven't went outside my camp thus far."

Name: Stat Quo

From: Statlanta, Georgia

Role: Live up to his hype from a few years ago, when he emerged on the mixtape circuit rapping on a Dr. Dre beat

Down Since: "I signed officially ... it's been three years now," he said.

Re-Up Experience: "We went in the studio, everyone got to vibing and the music came out crazy," Stat said of the project. "Em was like, 'Let's make it an album.' It's a family thing. Sometimes hard times bring people closer together. The struggle, the strife brought everybody closer together. Em is killing it. He's almost done with his album, 50 is almost done with his album and Dre is coming in September."

2007 Business: "I feel like my album is not just an array of songs," Stat said. "I feel it's a total experience. When you listen to my music, it's taking you to another place, and that place is Statlanta. I'm working with Dr. Dre, Eminem, L.T. Mo, Three 6 Mafia, DJ Toomp, Scott Storch." Look for Stat first quarter of '07 as well.

• Eminem
• Ca$His
• Bobby Creekwater
• Stat Quo
• Obie Trice

Eminem
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

What began as a raw street mixtape intended to introduce some new Shady Records artists has turned into a full-fledged album release called Eminem Presents: The Re-Up.

"What happened is that the material was so good and the tracks were getting produced like a regular album," Eminem said in a statement about the compilation he executive produced, which is slated for release December 5. "Instead of putting it out there rough and unfinished, I thought we should add some other new tracks, make it a real album and put it in the record stores to give these new artists a real boost."

The new Shady artists he's introducing include Stat Quo, Ca$his and Bobby Creekwater, who rhyme alongside their label boss and his D12 crew, as well as 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Obie Trice and Akon. Eminem decided to take the project aboveground when information — which he said was incorrect — began circulating about what was going to be on it.

Em produced the majority of the songs on the set, with the Alchemist (Mobb Deep, Snoop Dogg, Nas) pitching in on a few tracks and compiling the whole thing into mixtape shape (see "Mixtape Monday: Eminem Re-Up's With Whoo Kid; Lloyd Banks Brings The Gang Green"). Alchemist hooked up with the Shady team when he served as DJ for Em on last year's Anger Management 3 tour following the departure of former DJ Green Lantern (see "DJ Green Lantern Explains Eminem Split").

The first single and video from the Re-Up set is for "You Don't Know," featuring Em, 50 Cent, Ca$his and Lloyd Banks. With the exception of Stat Quo's "Billion Bucks" and Obie Trice's "Cry Now" remix, which appeared on recent mixtapes, all the other tracks on the Re-Up are previously unreleased.

Atlanta's Stat Quo was invited into the Shady family after Em and Dr. Dre heard him on an underground Atlanta mixtape, while the ATL's Creekwater got his deal after Em heard his work on some demos and studio sessions with Alchemist, according to the press release. Chicago native Ca$his, who moved to Orange County, California, as a kid, came to Em's attention thanks to his work with West Coast underground group the Renegadez.

The Re-Up track list includes "No Apologies" (Eminem), "Talkin' All That" (Ca$his), "City of Gold" (Bobby Creekwater) "Murder" (D12's Bizarre and Kuniva) and the "Smack That" remix with Akon.

In addition to clearing up rumors about the Re-Up, Em also said that, contrary to speculation, the mixtape is not a tribute to late D12 member Proof, the rapper's close friend who was killed earlier this year during an altercation outside a Detroit bar (see "Eminem Sells Memorial T-Shirts, Poster To Raise Money For Proof's Kids").

"The D12 album and those unreleased songs with Proof are coming," said Eminem. "But The Re-Up is about these new artists and these new songs. It isn't fair to them or to the memory of Proof to mix them up."

• Eminem
• 50 Cent
• Lloyd Banks
• Stat Quo
• Ca$His

"NBA Live 06"
Photo: EA Sports

Hip-hop may not be the official soundtrack of the NBA, but video gamers shouldn't be blamed for thinking otherwise.

Electronic Arts announced on Monday that "NBA Live 06" will feature a soundtrack that's wall-to-wall hip-hop, featuring 16 tracks, including licensed songs from the Black Eyed Peas and Stat Quo, sneak peeks from Jurassic 5 and Q-Tip (with Busta Rhymes), and exclusives from Chamillionaire, N.O.R.E., Bishop Lamont and Spider Loc. In-game beats will be provided by Da Riffs.

While some hip-hop sports series have branched out into other musical genres (see "Paul Wall, Louis XIV, Bloc Party On 'SSX' Game Soundtrack"), basketball games have remained stridently hip-hop for years. Take-Two Interactive's "NBA 2K6," for example, includes 14 exclusive tracks, all originally recorded for the game, from the likes of Common, the Roots and Little Brother. (The rival games don't just have dueling soundtracks; they each sport cover athletes from the same team: "NBA Live" has the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade; "NBA 2K6" has Shaq.)

EA is also planning to release the game's exclusive tracks as part of a special iTunes mix, timed for release when the game hits store shelves for all major consoles in the final week of September.

"NBA Live 06" track list, according to Electronic Arts:

• Afu-Ra - "God of Rap"
• Bishop Lamont featuring Chevy Jones - "We Got Next"
• Black Eyed Peas - "My Style"
• Chali 2na featuring Anthony Hamilton - "Don't Stop"
• Chamillionaire - "Grind Time"
• Fort Minor - "Remember the Name"
• Jae Millz - "Streetz Melting"
• Jurassic 5 - "In the House"
• Lupe Fiasco - "Tilted"
• M.I.A. - "Bucky Done"
• N.O.R.E. featuring Gem Star and Big Mato - "Deportes EA"
• Q-Tip featuring Busta Rhymes - "For the Nasty"
• Spider Loc - "Elementary"
• Stat Quo - "Like Dat"
• Tego Calderón - "Mil Cosas"
• The Perceptionists - "Let's Move"

• Black Eyed Peas
• Busta Rhymes
• Noreaga
• Jurassic 5
• Q-Tip

Stat Quo (file)
Photo: Shady Records

An Anger Management 3 tour bus whose passengers included Eminem's DJ, Alchemist, and the Detroit rapper's latest protégé, Atlanta's Stat Quo, collided with a pair of tractor-trailers just outside Odessa, Missouri, before overturning Wednesday night, triggering a six-vehicle pileup that left 11 people seriously injured.

The injured were rushed to hospitals — some of them, via helicopter. Seven tour bus passengers sustained injuries, although police did not disclose specific details on what or how severe those injuries were.

Stat Quo, who was listed on the accident report by his real name, Stanley Benton, was taken to Independence Regional Health Center in Independence, Missouri, where he was treated for bumps and bruises and released, according to a hospital spokesperson. Stat's manager, Joseph Fendrick, was transported to the same hospital, where he's listed in fair condition; he sustained a broken arm and ankle.

Scott Cherry, a Shady Records bodyguard who protects 50 Cent and Eminem, was treated at and released from St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Alan Maman, better known as Alchemist, is still being treated at St. Luke's for broken ribs and a collapsed lung; his brother and co-manager, Neil Maman, also remains under hospital care, but his injuries were not known as of press time. Both are listed in good condition.

The bus' driver, Charlie Gilligard, and the tour's trainer, Robert Haddoni, were listed as being in stable condition at Independence Regional and Lee's Summit Hospital in Kansas City, respectively. Four others — drivers and passengers of the other vehicles involved — were treated and released, according to a police spokesperson.

	Inside Anger Management: Eminem and 50 take you behind the scenes of their tour while Lil Jon teaches a barbecue lesson, only on Overdrive.

According to a Missouri Highway Patrol accident report, the crash occurred just after 6 p.m. Wednesday on a heavily trafficked stretch of Interstate 70 outside Odessa. The bus — bound for Denver, the site of Thursday night's (July 14) Anger Management 3 tour stop — was "traveling at a high rate of speed" when its driver swerved onto the highway's shoulder to avoid the slower-moving tractor-trailers.

The bus slid off the right side of the roadway but then veered sharply to the left and back onto the highway, clipping one of the trucks.

The force from the impact shot the truck across several lanes of traffic and over the highway median, into the oncoming-traffic lane. The bus continued its trajectory, striking a second 18-wheeler. The brunt of that collision forced the bus onto its side; the vehicle came to rest on the highway's median, with a portion of the bus protruding into the eastbound lanes. Four other vehicles, including two motorcycles, collided with truck and bus debris.

According to the Kansas City Star, the driver of one of the tractor-trailers, Breck Wyngarden, estimated the bus' speed at 85 mph.

According to an Interscope Records spokesperson, the accident will not affect the remainder of the tour — which features 50 Cent, Eminem, Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, G-Unit, D12, Obie Trice and Stat Quo — or the Denver concert. A substitute DJ is being sought to fill in for Alchemist until he's well enough to return to the tour. Stat Quo's status is in limbo, with label reps saying it is quite possible he will not take the stage in Denver.

[This story was originally published at 11:11 a.m ET on 07.05.2005]

• Stat Quo
• Eminem

50 Cent and Eminem (file)
Photo: MTV News

Eminem is hitting the road this summer, and he's bringing along a lot of friends. The Anger Management 3 tour is shaping up to the blockbuster of the summer, with a roster that also includes 50 Cent, Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, G-Unit, D12, Obie Trice and Em's latest protégé, Atlanta's Stat Quo.

The 20-date, five-and-a-half-week tour will kick off on July 7 in Noblesville, Indiana, at the Verizon Wireless Music Center and is currently slated to conclude in Em's hometown of Detroit at Comerica Park on August 12.

Though 50 Cent will miss the first two dates because of filming on his movie debut (see "50 Cent's 'Locked And Loaded' To Be Helmed By Oscar-Nominated Director"), 50 is on board for the rest of the tour, his first-ever outing with mentor Eminem. Ludacris will fill in on the first two dates.

"We've been waiting for the right moment to go on tour, and it all finally came together," Eminem said in a statement. "We wanted to put together the best lineup we could. I'm always trying to top the last tour whenever I go out. I think we're really doing it this time."

50 also predicted the tour would be the talk of the summer. "Whenever I get together with Em you know it's going to be hot," he said. "Right now, I don't see anything that will stop this from being the tour of the summer. You better put in for that time off from the job now before somebody else beats you to it. Or quit your job so you can see every show."

	Inside Anger Management: Eminem and 50 take you behind the scenes of their tour while Lil Jon teaches a barbecue lesson, only on Overdrive.

Sirius Satellite Radio's Shade 45 channel, which is programmed by Slim Shady and his crew, will feature exclusive live performances and backstage interviews all summer. A live DVD from 2002's Anger Management Tour featuring sets from Em and D12 is slated for release this summer.

Anger Management 3 tour dates, according to Interscope Records:

• 7/7 - Noblesville, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
• 7/8 - Columbus, OH @ Germain Amphitheater
• 7/11 - Tinley Park, IL @ Tweeter Center
• 7/14 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
• 7/17 - Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheater
• 7/19 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion at San Jose
• 7/22 - Chula Vista, CA @ Coors Amphitheatre
• 7/23 - Devore, CA @ Hyundai Pavilion of Glen Helen
• 7/24 - Las Vegas, NV @ Thomas & Mack Center
• 7/26 - Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Pavilion
• 7/28 - Dallas, TX @ Smirnoff Music Centre
• 7/29 - Selma, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
• 7/31 - Atlanta, GA @ HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
• 8/1 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre @ State Fairgrounds
• 8/2 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Sound Advice Amphitheatre
• 8/5 - Bristow, VA @ Nissan Pavilion
• 8/6 - Camden, NJ @ Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
• 8/8 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
• 8/10 - Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center
• 8/12 - Detroit, MI @ Comerica Park

For a feature on 50 Cent, check out "All Eyes On 50 Cent: The Sequel."

• Eminem
• 50 Cent
• Lil Jon
• G-Unit
• D12