Eminem [ tickets ] is downplaying recent reports that he plans to ease out of the spotlight for good following the conclusion of his current tour.

"I'm not retiring," Eminem said this week in an interview with MTV News. "When I say I'm taking a break, I'm taking a break from my music to go in the studio and produce my other artists and put their albums out. That's called taking a break for me."

He added: "When I know my next move, I'll tell everyone my next move. Not some reporter who writes a story about 'This is Eminem [ tickets ]'s last album.' I never said ["Encore"] was my last album. I never said anything yet. I don't know what I'm doing yet. Nothing is definite, you know what I'm sayin'? Nothing is written in stone."

Last week, in a story that quoted mostly unnamed sources, the Detroit Free Press reported that Eminem could retire as a solo artist following his Sept. 17 concert in Dublin, Ireland, which is the last show on his current itinerary.

The Free Press story said that the 33-year-old rapper, who is the best-selling artist in his genre's history, feels he's got nothing left to prove as a rapper, and is "trapped by musical expectations."

Eminem is currently on the road with 50 Cent and others with the Anger Management 3 Tour.