Eminem New Music, NO Detroit Riot Rock Band Support Amid Rapper Astray Signing Deal: 'Rap Career Dead' HOAX Confirmed

Eminem did NOT sign a deal with up-and-coming rock band, Detroit Riot. In fact, "The Monster" emcee's secret heavy metal "project" doesn't even exist! The 42-year-old renowned industry mogul still supports the growth of hip-hop, and he recently added aspiring rapper Astray to the Shady Music Publishing and Universal Music Group lineup.

Just last month, Astray (real name, Shawn Grossman) shared the exciting news via Twitter and Facebook (April 23):

@Astray313: "I just signed with Shady/Universal Music Group! Excited to be working w/ these 2 titans in music!! #AstrayXShady."

The Saginaw native once interned for Eminem's personal recording studio in Ferndale's 54 Sound. According to MLive.com:

Astray released his first album in the late 1990s at the age of 18. His third album, "Who's coming With Me," reached the nNo. 5 spot on Billboard's regional Heatseekers chart after its 2004 release. 

Longtime Shady Records manager Paul Rosenberg is also happy to welcome Astray to the publishing crew:

@rosenberg: "Pleased to welcome our new writer @ASTRAY_or_SHAWN to Shady Music Publishing with UMP. Keep an eye out for him!"

The MMLP2 superstar's publicist Dennis Dennehy says the deal means that "they are going to work with him on songs." So get ready for some awesome new music soon!

As MstarsNews reported earlier this week, seedy rumors started going viral online that Eminem's "ditching" rap in order to pursue his passion for bass guitar. Twitter instantly went crazy, but the entire situation's a big hoax. Shady is and forever will be a "Rap God" - period!

Will the hard-hitting lyricist collaborate with his new protege, or would fans still rather see another epic duet with Rihanna? Stay tuned!

Em has yet to provide any new, exciting updates on Instagram - perhaps he's planning another big surprise for loyal #Stans (involving some rock 'n' roll flare)?