Rapper Eminem gets the blues

Rap star Eminem is struggling with depression due to the traumatic events of the past year, including the death of his best friend and a second divorce.

The star's D12 bandmate and friend Proof was shot dead in April after a dramatic incident at a Detroit nightclub.

Just a few days earlier it was announced that Eminem was filing for divorce, after remarrying wife Kim only 82 days previously.

Dennis Dennehy, a spokesman for the icon, divulged yesterday that the singer's condition was improving and that anti-depressants were contributing to a recovery.

"Obviously he's grieving. He is depressed as anyone would be if they lost someone that close," Dennehy told the New York Daily News.

However, he was quick to brush off any suggestions that the illness was affecting the star's career. Dennehy stated: "Eminem had said he was taking some time off before this happened. This is his downtime."