IB on Em's stylistic transformation

NOT AFRAID TO CHANGE HIS TUNE: Eminem has undergone a dramatic stylistic metamorphosis, the first two singles from Recovery (now at 1.3m, and well on its way to 3m), marrying his trademark raps with slam-dunk pop choruses, much as Jay-Z did on the Alicia Keys-assisted modern-day standard, “Empire State of Mind,” and “Run This Town,” with Rihanna supplying the chorus hooks. Recovery was A&R’d collectively, with key contributions from manager Paul Rosenberg, label A&R staffer DJ, Jimmy Iovine and Eminem himself, who for the first time was open to bringing in outside producers and writers. (7/15a)