Stevie Wonder Bashes Eminem for Jackson Criticism

[b]Stevie Wonder Bashes Eminem for Jackson Criticism[/b] Sun Dec 5, 2004 07:54 PM ET LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – In a rare public outburst, Stevie Wonder has blasted Eminem for ridiculing Michael Jackson in a video, and suggested the rapper was hypocritical because he owed his success to poor and black people. Jackson himself has already lambasted Eminem’s video for the song “Just Lose It,” which makes light of child molestation charges against the self-styled “King of Pop.” Wonder joined the fray by telling Billboard magazine that he was “really disappointed” in Eminem. “Kicking someone when he’s down is not a good thing,” Wonder was quoted as telling the music industry trade publication. “I have much respect for his work, though I don’t think he’s as good as (late rapper) 2Pac. But I was disappointed that he would let himself go to such a level.” Added Wonder, “He has succeeded on the backs of people predominantly in that lower pay bracket, people of color. So for him to come out like that is bull—-.” A spokesman for Eminem was not available for comment. The song, hailed by the Los Angeles Times as a “playful look at celebrity voyeurism,” is expected to be among the nominees when contenders for the annual Grammy Awards are unveiled on Tuesday. Source: Reuters.com