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The rapper's label, Interscope records, is attempting a unique marketing – and anti-piracy – ploy for his new CD, Encore, which is set to go on sale Nov. 16.
To thwart bootlegging, Interscope is permitting buyers of the album a chance to enter a contest that will run until Dec. 21 and offer one of 400 prizes that include Sirius Radio subscriptions and equipment and an appearance in a music video, The New York Times reports. (Eminem is launching a new channel on Sirius on Oct. 28.)
Only those who have buy a genuine album and insert it in their computers to unlock registration information will be eligible for the contest.
Last year, Interscope offered Willy Wonka-like "golden tickets" inside some of its CDs by new acts such as Obie Trice and G-Unit. Those were redeemable for a diamond medallion.
Meanwhile, some unfinished songs from "Encore" have been leaked on the Internet. To make up for that, Interscope is said to be considering a special limited-edition disc that will contain three of the pirated songs not to be found on the regular CD.
Last week, Eminem, who turned 32 on Sunday, infuriated Michael Jackson, 46, when the rapper unveiled his new video for the single "Just Lose It," from the Encore album. The video depicts the self-proclaimed King of Pop playing with young children (including one scene jumping on a bed) and lampoons Jackson's plastic surgery and an incident when his hair caught fire while shooting a Pepsi commercial.
Also in the video, which Jackson successfully rallied BET to withdraw from its rotation, Eminem appears made up as Jackson in the pop star's trademark red leather jacket and trousers. In one scene, his nose falls off, and he scrambles around the floor looking for it. In another, the Jackson character comes face to face with the real Eminem, and the rapper vomits all over him.
