Eminem pulled a surprise appearance at Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign rally, lighting up the stage in his hometown of Detroit while introducing none other than former President Barack Obama!
After a lineup of speeches from heavyweights like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and former Lions star Calvin Johnson, Eminem took the mic with his signature flair. He kicked off his speech with a nod to the crowd, saying, ‘Detroit! What up doe!’ as the beats of his 2010 hit ‘Not Afraid’ pumped up the energy.
He wasted no time diving into why he was there, stating, ‘Look, I jotted down a few thoughts. Detroit and Michigan are close to my heart, and this election? It’s a big deal for our democracy. So let’s make some noise and get out there to vote! We should all feel free to express ourselves without fear of backlash. I want an America where everyone’s voice matters, and I believe Vice President Harris is all about protecting those freedoms. Now, to drop some more knowledge, let’s welcome the man himself, President Barack Obama!’
As the crowd roared, Barack Obama made a grand entrance to Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself,’ even joining in on the first few bars. ‘I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem,’ he quipped, delighting the audience with his rendition of the opening verse. ‘I thought Eminem was going to be performing—I was ready to jump out! Love me some Eminem.’
Eminem's support for Kamala Harris and the Democratic ticket is no surprise, as he backed Joe Biden and Harris in 2020 with a campaign ad featuring ‘Lose Yourself.’ The rapper has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and the GOP, famously stating in a past interview that Trump was ‘brainwashing’ his followers. In his 2017 BET freestyle ‘The Storm,’ he labeled Trump a ‘racist’ and expressed disdain for the former president.
His criticism extends beyond Trump; last year, he sent a letter to Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, asking him to stop using his songs after Ramaswamy performed ‘Lose Yourself’ at the Iowa State Fair. Eminem also targeted George W. Bush in his 2004 track ‘Mosh,’ condemning the Iraq War.
Meanwhile, news of Eminem’s surprise appearance coincided with the announcement that Bruce Springsteen will join Kamala Harris for rallies in Georgia and Pennsylvania later this week. As the presidential race tightens, polls indicate Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck in key battleground states, making this campaign pivotal. Eminem, who recently became a grandfather, continues to make sporadic public appearances following his album ‘The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)’ released in July.
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