Eminem's four Grammy nods are nothing but sweet music to the ears of rapper-producer Dr. Dre. Jam! Showbiz reports the good doctor is thriving on the controversy surrounding his protege's four nominations.

"I love all the controversy," Dre said backstage at the American Music Awards. "What we're doing is working. We're pushing buttons. Wait 'til the next record."

Dre won favorite rap/hip hop artist Monday night, beating out Eminem and DMX. The rapper-producer earned five nominations for next month's Grammys, including nods for his comeback solo album and producing Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP." At the Grammys, Dre promised to "do something outrageous -- win all those awards I'm nominated for."

Despite his AMA no-sho, Eminem was a topic backstage. "I don't think people need to worry about Eminem," said Kid Rock, who defeated the rapper and Marc Anthony for Favorite Pop/Rock male artist. "He's doing his thing and saying what's on his mind. What they ought to be worried about is people that think those things and don't say them. That's scary," he said.