NEW YORK (WP) - Compact discs were replacing records when Jeff and Mark Bass took a chance on a young white rapper named Marshall Mathers. Eminem, as he is known, blossomed into one of the world's most popular musicians.

Now the brothers, who still own part of Eminem's catalogue, want to cash in.

They have agreed to sell up to 25 per cent of their interest to Royalty Flow, which will buy the stake with money raised in what is called a mini-initial public offering, company executives said.

They are planning to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell shares to the public in an offering and will ultimately seek an exchange listing.

Music fans and investors have little opportunity to invest directly in the music business, where the biggest players are closely held or parts of larger corporations.

Thanks to a 2012 law that made it easier for small businesses to raise money, investors who believe the growth in streaming will make Eminem's catalogue more valuable will be able to buy a slice.

Spotify will be another opportunity, when it goes public.

"If you're a fan and wanna bet on that artist, you've got some skin in the game," said Mr Joel Martin, a business partner of the Bass brothers.

"It takes the average investor and puts them in a position they wouldn't be in before."