US rapper Eminem has enterred the studio to begin work on a new album, it's been reported.

Bishop Lamont, a protege of the rapper, says Eminem is “excited” to be working on the project and he has “got a lot to get off his chest.

Lamont also told EW that the rapper was emotionally devastated following the 2006 killing of his friend, and fellow rapper, Proof, and is now channelling his feelings into his music.

“He went through what he had to go through, and now he’s been able to take all the pain and stress and put it out in his music,” Lamont explained.

It's not clear when the rapper's new album, the follow-up to 2004's 'Encore', will be released.

(by Jason Gregory)