Eminem Objects To Vivek Ramaswamy’s Campaign Karaoke
After Republican presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy scored extra points in the hearts of Americans with a spirited rendition of Eminem’s hit “Lose Yourself” at the Iowa State Fair recently, the Real Slim Shady has expressed disapproval and issued a demand for him to step aside.
Music publisher BMI fired the opening shot, sending a letter to the Ramaswamy campaign’s legal team and warning that any further performances of Eminem’s work by the Vivek 2024 campaign would be deemed a breach of agreement.
According to the latter obtained by the Daily Mail, BMI, “received a communication from Marshall B. Mathers, III, professionally known as Eminem, objecting to the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign’s use of Eminem’s musical compositions.”
The letter reportedly came eleven days after Ramaswamy’s onstage serenade took place alongside Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds after the businessman had been asked to name his favorite walkout song. Ramaswamy didn’t hesitate to express his fondness for Eminem’s 2002 rap hit “Lose Yourself.”
The presidential candidate proved his love for the song moments later when it started playing, as he grabbed a mic and rapped along, in what became a viral moment.
However, Americans would not be seeing a remake of the video, after Eminem’s request. In response to the demand, Ramaswamy’s campaign spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed they would honor Eminem’s request.
The move ignited a storm on social media as conservatives rallied behind Ramaswamy, criticizing the Michigan-based rapper for objecting to his music’s use by a Republican candidate.
Astute observers pointed to his anti-war song “Mosh,” amused by the irony that the artist who once criticized war was now contesting the right of a Republican candidate, notably one advocating an anti-war stance, to use his music.
“Right before the 2004 election, Eminem released an anti-Bush song called ‘Mosh.’ One of its lyrics was ‘No more blood for oil. We got our own battles to fight on our own soil.’ Now he’s angry that the most anti-war candidate in the GOP primary sang his song at an event,” State Freedom Caucus Network Comms Director Greg Price tweeted.
Right before the 2004 election, Eminem released an anti-Bush song called "Mosh."
One of its lyrics was "No more blood for oil. We got our own battles to fight on our own soil."
Now he's angry that the the most anti-war candidate in the GOP primary sang his song at an event. https://t.co/jXtQv0YBS7
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 28, 2023
“Crazy how Eminem wrote Mosh and is now tripping out that the anti-war guy is singing his song. Politics is a weird thing,” political editor Emma-Jo Morris wrote, with political commentator Mike Cernovich calling the 50-year-old rapper a “gigantic baby.”
crazy how Eminem wrote Mosh and is now tripping out that the anti-war guy is singing his song. Politics is a weird thing
— Emma-Jo Morris (@EmmaJoNYC) August 28, 2023
Lmao what a gigantic baby. https://t.co/WyCiMoCZOy
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) August 28, 2023
A user named Jake Shields chimed in, tweeting, “Eminem has turned into such a dork that he makes Vivek look cool.”
Eminem has turned into such a dork that he makes Vivek look cool pic.twitter.com/ymeZfhhwbH
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) August 28, 2023
Responding to the tweet, Ramaswamy wrote, “Will The REAL Slim Shady Please Stand Up? He didn’t just say what I think he did, did he?”
Will The REAL Slim Shady Please Stand Up? He didn’t just say what I think he did, did he? @Eminem 😅 https://t.co/iOOuG6SU2D
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 28, 2023
