Rumor has it that Eminem has become a born again Christian.

A source claims that he has witnessed the Detroit rapper’s transformation firsthand. He said Eminem has removed himself “from the depths of the music industry” and will no longer be conforming to what the business expects of him, according to Christian Post.

There is some merit to the rumor, although it requires traveling back to 1996 when Eminem released his debut album, Infinite. In a song titled “It’s OK,” Eminem says:

“But in the midst of this insanity, I’ve found my Christianity through God and there’s a wish he granted me. He showed me how to cope with this stress and hope for the best, instead of moping depressed.”

A little less than three years after releasing Infinite, which was a commercial failure, Eminem made his major label debut with The Slim Shady LP. The album won Best Rap Album at the 41st Grammy Awards, and the first single, “My Name Is,” won Best Rap Solo Performance.

While many of his lyrics have focused on killing his wife or being addicted to drugs, Eminem — born Marshall Bruce Mathers III — has written more inspirational songs such as “Lose Yourself” from the 8 Mile soundtrack and “Not Afraid,” the first single from his most recent album, Recovery.

The website ChristWire profiled Eminem as a “Christian Warrior” in 2011, applauding him for his Chrysler ad during Super Bowl XLVI.

“Through any problems he has had in live he has risen above the blackness that surrounded him,” the article writer, August Weisz, said. “He is truly a Christian hero.”

Eminem and his camp have yet to confirm whether the rapper has really become a born again Christian.

Would you be surprised if this rumor turns out to be true?