E-40 LAWYER DISPELS 'OUTRAGEOUS' DEATH RUMOURS

Rapper E-40 has rubbished reports he was the victim of a fatal drive-by shooting this weekend (begs16FEB07) after "outrageous" news surfaced claiming the star had met his untimely demise. The 39-year-old - real name EARL STEVENS - released a statement via his lawyer ZVI B. EDELMAN to dispel the false rumours and put fans at ease. He says, "Mr Stevens is alive and well in Las Vegas enjoying all-star weekend and has not been the victim of any shooting or accident. "(We) thank all those who have expressed concern and kept 40 in their prayers and urge whoever is responsible for generating these outrageous rumours to contemplate the gravity of their actions and stop immediately."