US rapper Eminem has said he’s “not ready” to return to the road – despite the imminent release of his new album.

The rapper is due to release ‘Relapse’, his first studio album since 2004, later this year.

However, he told the BBC he had no desire to reach similar heights of fame he achieved at the beginning of the century.

"I'm not saying I will or I won't but I'm not ready to tour at least at this moment right now," he said.

Eminem has spent the last five months recording the record with producer and long time collaborator Dr Dre.

Unlike his previous efforts, Eminem revealed that he has left almost all the production duties to Dr Dre.

In a wide ranging interview with DJ Zane Lowe, the rapper said he wanted the album to “remind people how I rap”.

"I've accomplished enough with the music that I haven't had to go out there and do other things to over-saturate,” Eminem explained.

"That's probably what I take pride in most. But, at the end of the day, it's kind of catch 22. I love the attention but I don't like too much of it."

Eminem’s memoirs, The Way I Am, are published in the UK tomorrow (October 21st).

(by Jason Gregory)