THE British don of hiphop, Tim Westwood, this week hailed Eminem as more influential than President Bush after Encore made history.

High praise indeed, but then Eminem's fourth album did go straight to the top of the British charts after two days - a record.

However, Encore does more than reveal Eminem as the biggest recording star on the planet, it also confirms his position as the most fascinating and controversial too.

Two years may have passed since the curtain came down on The Eminem Show, but the suitably titled Encore finds the anger and vitriol that fire the master lyricist raging ever brightly.

True enough, too many of Eminem's verbal volleys continue to be directed towards his ex-wife, Kim, and mother, Debbie. No one doubts the pain and bitterness, but a public feud spanning four albums is starting to grow a little weary.

But, refreshingly, Encore finds the king of controversy's fury being vented beyond personal issues. Bush, Michael Jackson and a string of celebrities all receive a tongue whipping.

Not only personalities take the hits but issues: war, gangsta violence, drugs, sex and even child abuse are also in the line of fire.

It's not always an easy listen, sometimes it's clichd and contradictory. Sometimes it's puerile, crude and downright offensive.

But it's also shows initiative and is backed by such unhinged energy that you just cannot ignore what he has to say.

Eminem continues to push the boundaries. He continues to challenge. Eminem step forward, take a bow and milk the applause.

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, November 18, 2004