Eminem Denies Usage of His Music in Republican Candidate Ramaswamy's Campaign Following Viral Rap

| 29 August 2023

In an unexpected twist in the world of politics and music, renowned American rapper Eminem has made a formal request to Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent Republican presidential candidate and former biotech executive, to cease the use of his music during the campaign trail. The move comes after a viral video showcased Ramaswamy enthusiastically rapping along to Eminem's iconic track "Lose Yourself" at the Iowa State Fair earlier this month.

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall B. Mathers III, conveyed his objection through BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), a well-known performing rights organization. A letter dated August 23 and disclosed on Monday, revealed that BMI, at Eminem's behest, informed Ramaswamy's campaign that they will no longer provide the necessary licensing for the rapper's music to be used in the campaign. The communication highlighted Eminem's request to have all of his musical works removed from any agreement involving Ramaswamy's campaign.

BMI's letter, which was initially reported by the Daily Mail newspaper, stated, "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 composition (the 'Eminem Works') and requesting that BMI remove all Eminem Works from the Agreement."

In response to this development, Ramaswamy's campaign expressed its intention to comply with Eminem's request. Despite being a 38-year-old businessman with no prior political experience, Ramaswamy has been gaining traction in recent opinion polls. He has distinguished himself by positioning his rivals as "bought and paid for," a message that seems to have resonated with some segments of the Republican electorate.

Ramaswamy's recent presence on the political stage came to the forefront during the first Republican primary debate, where he drew significant attention. As a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, Ramaswamy faced strong opposition from his more seasoned counterparts, who appeared to view him as a formidable contender. This perception is further illustrated by his emergence as a more significant threat in the polls than Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has long been trailing Trump in the race.

The absence of Trump, the clear frontrunner, from last week's debate, accentuated the spotlight on candidates like Ramaswamy, facilitating the latter's prominence on the debate stage.

This incident echoes previous instances where musicians have voiced their displeasure at their music being used without permission at political events. Notable artists such as Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Aerosmith, Adele, and even the heirs of Prince, have previously raised concerns about their songs being played at Trump rallies during the past two U.S. presidential elections. The Rolling Stones even went so far as to threaten legal action if the Trump campaign continued to utilize their hit song "You Can’t Always Get What You Want."

As the 2024 U.S. presidential race continues to unfold, the intersection of politics and pop culture remains a fascinating subject, with artists like Eminem exerting their influence over the use of their creative works in the political arena. As the candidates vie for the spotlight, these unexpected dynamics are likely to continue shaping the narrative of this high-stakes race.