OK everyone (and by 'everyone', I mean some people on Twitter who were possibly joking anyway), Eminem has not released another surprise album titled 'Marshall Law'. The rapper confirmed last night that 'Music To Be Murdered By' remains his latest album.
The confusion stems from a tweet posted by Florida Senator Marco Rubio asking people to stop spreading rumours that the US government was imposing martial law in the fight to slow the spread of COVID-19. Although the senator misspelled the key word in his message. Twice.
"Please stop spreading stupid rumors about marshall law", he wrote. "COMPLETELY FALSE. We will continue to see closings and restrictions on hours of non-essential businesses in certain cities and states. But that is NOT marshall law".
As people pointed out the spelling error, the phrase 'marshall law' began trending on Twitter. Others then saw this, made an assumption that it was the title of a new album from Marshall 'Eminem' Mathers (sure, why not?). Then a new rumour was started from a tweet trying to stop a different rumour. Great stuff. Well done, social media.
Confirming that there was no such album last night, Eminem tweeted: "Sorry guys... 'Marshall Law': not a thing".
The rapper was actually retweeting a follow-up from Rubio, in which the politician noted his earlier error. Presumably Eminem did this to help clear up any confusion.
Although Rubio's newer tweet also contains a spelling error, which really doesn't help. "I meant to type stupid rumors about marital law not marshall law". You heard it right here folk, the US is not planning to make it easier to divorce someone you've been quarantined with for weeks. I'm sure Eminem will have a track about it out by teatime though.