INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Eminem performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show … [+] at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe worlds of politics and music don’t often collide, but they have once more with two very unlikely names butting heads. Rapper Eminem is apparently not a fan of Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, especially when it comes to the latter using the former’s music.
Eminem has reportedly asked that Ramaswamy stop using his music on the campaign trail as he vies for the Republican party’s nomination for the office of the President, specifically one track in particular that has already been utilized by the candidate.
The controversy started when Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur and sometimes-billionaire venturing into politics for the first time, rapped Eminem’s smash single „Lose Yourself“ during a campaign event at the Iowa State Fair. At the time, many reported on the odd incident, as it’s not often that presidential candidates rap.
Eminem reached out to the performance rights organization BMI and sent an official cease-and-desist order dated August 23. The message conveyed the Grammy winner’s objections to the use of his music in Ramaswamy’s campaign events.
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BMI’s letter, which was first reported by the Daily Mail, states, „BMI has 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.“ It further emphasized that any future use of Eminem’s works by the Vivek 2024 campaign would be considered a material breach of the agreement, and that issues may arise if he continues.
The Ramaswamy campaign responded to the cease-and-desist letter to the Daily Mail, stating in a joking manner, „Vivek just got on the stage and cut loose. To the American people’s chagrin, we will have to leave the rapping to the real slim shady.“ The campaign was clearly trying to make light of the situation, which could have been embarrassing for the candidate.
This is not the first time that musicians have had to ask political candidates not to use their music while they vie for higher office. This has happened quite a lot recently, especially to Republican presidential hopefuls. Former president and current candidate Donald Trump has run into this issue many times, and stars like Adele, The Rolling Stones and Queen have all insisted he no longer use their work.
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