Astray

Saginaw rapper Astray announced he signed a deal with Eminem's Shady Music Publishing Thursday, April 23.

(Courtesy)

Eminem

SAGINAW, MI -- Saginaw rapper Astray has announced that he has signed a publishing deal with Eminem's music publishing group.

Using Twitter and Facebook, Astray announced the deal with Shady Music Publishing and Universal Music Group Thursday, April 23.

According to Eminem's publicist Dennis Dennehy, the deal means "they are going to work with him on songs."

Astray, who's name is Shawn Grossman, released his first album in the late 1990s at the age of 18. His third album, "Who's coming With Me," reached the number 5 spot on Billboard's regional Heatseekers chart after its 2004 release.

The Saginaw rapper is a former intern at Eminem's recording studio in Ferndale's 54 Sound.

After making the announcement about the publishing deal Thursday, Astray posted on Twitter that he couldn't keep up with the response he was getting, adding "I love y'all."

Eminem's manager, Paul Rosenberg, took to Twitter to congratulate Astray, saying "Keep an eye out for him!"

ANNOUNCEMENT!! After countless meetings, conference calls, and contract drafts, it is finally 100% official.I am... Posted by ASTRAY on Thursday, April 23, 2015

-- Jessica Shepherd is an entertainment reporter with MLive/The Saginaw News. Contact her at 989-996-0687, email her at jessica_shepherd@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter. You can also hear her Fridays at 8 a.m. on 102.5 WIOG's Nate and Rachel in the Morning.