Eminem releasing new album in November

Eminem is back. “Encore” – his first full album of new material since 2002’s “The Eminem Show” – is slated to reach stores Nov. 16 in the middle of the holiday season, the record industry’s biggest time of the year.

The Detroit rapper has kept a relatively low profile since 2002, when he also starred in the loosely autobiographical film “8 Mile,” which yielded a hit soundtrack album and included the Oscar-winning song “Lose Yourself.”

His three solo albums, together with the “8 Mile” album, have sold nearly 19 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Though Eminem hasn’t released an album under his own name in two years, he was key to the success of his old rap group D12’s album “D12 World” earlier this year.

VH1 honors hip-hop pioneers

Rap pioneers Run DMC, DJ Kool Herc and KRS-One, along with Tupac Shakur and Public Enemy, will be among the first artists recognized by VH1 at its inaugural Hip Hop Honors this fall.

Rounding out the list of honorees: DJ Hollywood, the dance troupe the Rock Steady Crew, the Sugar Hill Gang and graffiti artists.

Among those expected to perform are the Beastie Boys, Nas and Public Enemy. The show is scheduled for taping in New York Oct. 3, and to air on VH1 Oct. 12.