IT could be the most unlikely musical pairing since Paul McCartney and Rupert the Bear croaked out the Frog Chorus.

Classical percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, from Methlick, is lining up to perform with Detroit rapper Eminem.

Dame Evelyn, 43, wants to hook up with the controversial star and an orchestra such as the Detroit Symphony.

She said: “Eminem stands up for what he believes in and has pushed musical boundaries.

“I really want to do a collaboration with him, a double concerto for percussion and rap.”

Dame Evelyn, who has been profoundly deaf since she was 12, is one of the world’s most acclaimed instrumentalists.

She was voted Scotswoman of the decade for her success and her dedication to bringing music to youngsters in schools and overseas.

Eminem, real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III, has sold 70 million albums and won an Academy Award for his album Lose Yourself. But his lyrics have branded as bigoted and glorifying violence.

The pair’s backgrounds are as diverse as their musical styles.

Dame Evelyn enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the Aberdeenshire countryside whereas Eminem, who had a hit with My Name Is, grew up in a tough inner-city trailer park.

While she has an OBE, he has served a community sentence for a weapons charge.

A spokeswoman for Dame Evelyn said: “Evelyn would love to work with Eminem, perhaps alongside a distinguished orchestra such as the Detroit Symphony.

“We have made approaches and while we understand he is taking a break, we are hopeful that he may link up with Evelyn at some point in the future.”

Critics believe the collaboration could be great for both for classical music and hip-hop.

Glasgow University music lecturer Martin Dixon said: “This would be sensational. Glennie and Eminem are extremely gifted and interesting artists. It would be exciting to see how they worked together.”

dewen@ajl.co.uk