Detroit's embattled mayor has been endorsed in his re-election bid by rap superstar Eminem.

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At a hometown concert before 42,000-plus Friday at the city's Comerica Park, Eminem gave an on stage "shout out" to Kwame Kilpatrick, who he said was attending the show.

The rapper urged the crowd to "make some noise for the mayor, y'all, the...hip-hop mayor!" Noting the blend of cheers and boos that greeted his request, Eminem acknowledged "a little bit of mixed reaction" from the crowd.

Kilpatrick has been embroiled in several controversies during his term in office and is facing stiff competition for the November election from former Detroit deputy mayor Freeman Hendricks.

Eminem and Kilpatrick have had a good relationship in the past, and the rapper recently performed at a fundraiser for Detroit's annual Fourth of July fireworks display at the mayor's request.