A New Zealand music retailer is not displaying Eminem’s new album in any of its 25 outlets, and will sell it only to customers who request it.
Roger Harper, managing director of Auckland-based chain the CD and DVD Store, says the lyrics of “Encore,” are “violent and pornographic.”
The retailer will donate NZ$6 (US$4.20) from each album sold to the Women’s Refuge charity and a suicide prevention organization, because they “help the victims that suffer from Eminem’s world view,” Harper says.
Adam Holt, managing director of the New Zealand arm of Eminem’s Universal Music label, responds, “In the same way we respect Eminem’s right to free speech, we respect the CD and DVD Store’s right to take the position they have.”
“Encore,” released locally on Nov. 15, is expected to debut at No. 1 on the next Record Industry Assn. of New Zealand chart, to be published Nov. 22, Holt said.
“Encore has come out of the blocks as fast, if not faster, than ‘The Eminem Show,’ so we are confident of this being the biggest album this Christmas.”
“The Eminem Show” has sold 105,000 units — over seven times platinum — in New Zealand (population 4.1 million) since its 2002 release.
“Encore,” which comes with a parental advisory sticker, has not been a problem for other music retailers in New Zealand. A “clean” version of the album was issued Thursday.