Republican presidential primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has appealed to right-wing voters with “God is real, there are two genders” absolutism — and also, inexplicably, by rapping along to Eminem songs. Thankfully, the latter campaign strategy will soon come to an end, because the rapper has hit the businessman with a cease and desist letter.
Pharmaceutical millionaire Ramaswamy performed an absolutely swagless rendition of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” earlier this month at the Iowa State Fair. It appears he originally cleared his use of the song with publishing company BMI, but once Marshall Mathers caught wind of the agreement, he contacted both parties to knock it off.
“BMI has received a communication from Marshall Mathers, III, professionally known as Eminem, objecting to the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign’s use of Eminem’s musical compositions (the “Eminem Works”) and requesting that BMI remove all Eminem Works from the Agreement,” the letter, dated August 23rd, reads (via the Daily Mail). “BMI will consider any performance of the Eminem Works by the Vivek 2024 campaign from this date forward to be a material breach of the Agreement for which BMI reserves all rights and remedies with respect thereto.”
Ramaswamy announced his bid for president back in February, and after last week’s Republican debate, he’s become something of a buzzworthy name, polling in third place behind Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. The 38-year-old Ohio native has branded himself as the Über-Trump, pushing inflammatory rhetoric about climate change, critical race theory, and gender ideology and promising to pardon 45 if elected. At least we don’t have to worry about any more 8 Mile crimes.
