‘This artist flagged risks across the board’: Eminem is banned from performing in Hyde Park due to ‘offensive’ lyrics

Eminem has been banned from performing at a summer festival because of his ‘offensive’ and ‘unsuitable’ lyrics.

Bosses at Royal Parks, who run Hyde Park, are said to have rejected the 41-year-old rapper due to the content of his songs, which have been slammed as both misogynistic and homophobic.

The Mirror reports that London Mayor Boris Johnson was even asked to veto the decision but his office said they did not know who the singer was.

Controversial: Eminem (seen performing at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards, Los Angeles) has reportedly been banned from performing in Hyde Park due to his ‘offensive’ lyrics

The correspondence in a series of emails and letters was revealed following a Freedom of Information request by the Mirror.

Promoters AEG are believed to have arranged for the star to perform at the British Summer Time festival this month.

But Royal Parks complained that his performance could upset other park users.

In demand: The singer has revealed that he will perform at sold-out Wembley concerts instead of Hyde Park

Royal Parks CEO Linda Lennon wrote in an email: ‘This artist flagged risks across the board. In particular in respect of our public reputation.’

She added that there was a risk of the offensive lyrics being heard in surrounding residential areas.

Boris Johnson’s chief of staff Sir Edward Lister said: ‘Until receipt of both emails I had no knowledge of Eminem and his style of music and still do not.’

‘Risk’: Organisers of the Hyde Park summer festival reportedly believed that the rapper’s lyrics could cause offense

AEG’s Jim King had argued that he was not aware of the performer being banned from performing in any other location.

He also said that he doubted how far any offensive lyrics would be heard outside of the park.

He admitted that while there would be some ‘industrial language …only a very small amount of his repertoire has been deemed by some commentators to be controversial. Claims of homophobia are consistently denied.’

The July 3 festival will be opened by Arcade Fire and will include Black Sabbath, the Libertines, Tom Jones, and McBusted. Arcade Fire opens the festival on July 3.

But Eminem will instead play sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium on July 11 and 12.

He told the Mirror last month: ‘I heard that I wasn’t going to be approved to play in Hyde Park and it made me even more excited to play in London this summer. The easiest way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it. Thanks to the Royal Parks for making it all possible… for Wembley.’