As the race for the 2024 Republican nominee intensifies, the candidates are doing their best to stand out from the crowd. One of the frontrunners, Vivek Ramaswamy, took an unconventional route to impress potential voters at the Iowa State Fair. The 38-year-old entrepreneur showed off his rap skills as he performed Eminem’s all-time hit track, Lose Yourself. The viral video of his impromptu performance has clearly caught the real Slim Shady’s attention, but not how Vivek would have wanted. Let’s take a look at why Eminem is trending after Vivek Ramaswamy raps to Lose Yourself, including the viral video itself.
Vivek Ramaswamy raps to Eminem’s Lose Yourself
On August 12, the Indian American candidate addressed a crowd of supporters at the Iowa State Fair, where he spoke alongside Iowa’s Republican Gov Kim Reynolds. The Governor asked Vivek Ramaswamy what his favorite walkout song was.
When Ramaswamy answered that Lose Yourself by Eminem from the 8 Mile soundtrack was his favorite, the event’s sound coordinator immediately played the song on speakers. Excited by the prospect, the Republican politician rapped along as the crowd cheered.
It turns out that Vivek Ramaswamy’s association with rap is not just a one-time stage gimmick and dates back to his college days. During his undergraduate years at Harvard University, young Vivek performed libertarian-themed raps.
https://twitter.com/nukelahore/status/1696257813125750885?s=20
The biotech entrepreneur used the stage name Da Vek and is a self-admitted fan of Eminem. In fact, he compared himself to the rap icon as he said Eminem was a guy who was not supposed to be doing what he did as a white hip-hop star.
Eminem stops Vivek Ramaswamy from rapping
Despite his positive words for Eminem, the rapper was clearly not flattered by the idea of Vivek Ramaswamy using his music. As a result, the 50-year-old legend wrote a letter to Broadcast Music Inc. to revoke the Ramaswamy campaign’s license.
https://twitter.com/SawyerHackett/status/1696248193401454944?s=20
As a result, the music licenser released a statement that all ‘Eminem Works’ (his music) shall not be used anymore on the Republican leader’s campaign trail. If they do, it will become a breach of agreement, leading to legal consequences.
The Vivek 2024 campaign responded in good humor to the cease and desist letter. They said that the presidential candidate had performed the song in a spur of the moment. The spokesperson remarked that they would leave the rapping to the real Slim Shady.
Social media reactions
If a presidential candidate rapping an Eminem song on stage wasn’t enough to go viral, the rapper’s harsh reaction to the song added to the buzz. It sparked discussions on creative freedom on social media platforms.
Furthermore, Vivek Ramaswamy has been a subject of controversy ever since his polarizing comments on the Fox News debate. He drew comparisons to former President and fellow candidate Donald Trump as he himself proclaimed to be his successor.
Interestingly, during Trump’s presidential campaign for 2016, artists like the Rolling Stones, Queen, Pharell Williams, and Adele blocked him from using their music, just like Eminem did with Vivek Ramaswamy after he performed Lose Yourself on stage.
You can share questions about Vivek Ramaswamy rapping to Eminem’s Lose Yourself. For more content, stay with us here at Spiel Times. Make sure you subscribe to our push notifications and never miss an update. You can also follow us on Spiel Anime, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Until next time!
