I'D better get the confessions out of the way first.

Rap has never been my first choice in music.

Come to that it would be struggling to make it into the top 10!

My knowledge of Eminem could be summed up, in rapping terminology as **** all. So listening to Curtain Call was something of an eye-opener.

Here is a thirtysomething white guy who takes no prisoners in his musical attacks on everyone from fellow rappers to George W Bush.

With lyrics adored by teenagers but abhorred by parents, Eminem courts controversy and enjoys every minute of it.

But the more I listen, the more admiration I feel for this treble Grammy award winner.

Curtain Call, being a greatest hits CD, is the perfect introduction to this rap phenomenon. I was won over by the lyrics of Without Me and Stan and impressed by the brilliant production on the album.

There is no doubt his explicit X-rated songs will be a turn-off for many but Eminem has earned his place as one of the decade's leading musical wordsmiths and collaborations with Dido and Elton John just show how musical tastes are changing.

DL