Eminem has been voted the Best Rapper Alive in a new poll by American magazine Vibe.

The Without Me hitmaker, who has not released a new album since 2004's Encore, was named number one by readers in an online survey.

Eminem beat Jay-Z to the title in the final round of voting with 69 per cent - but he doesn't think any single rapper deserves the title.

In a statement released on Tuesday, he says, "It's obviously an honour to have won the fans' support by being voted the Best Rapper Alive.

"I don't think that there is any one rapper that is simply the best, though. Everyone who was in consideration and many others are the best at certain things, and at what they do. But since Vibe's offering the distinction, hell yeah, I'll accept!"

Other contenders for the accolade included Nas, Kanye West, T.I. and Rick Ross.