Eminem Advocates for Expressing Opinions at Kamala Harris Detroit Rally, Welcomes Barack Obama to the Stage

Marshall Mathers, popularly known as Eminem, made an impactful appearance at a rally supporting the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign in Detroit, Michigan, his hometown. On October 22, 2024, the iconic rapper took to the stage to address the audience briefly regarding the upcoming elections and to introduce former President Barack Obama.

As Eminem began his speech, his 2010 hit “Not Afraid”resonated through the venue. He expressed his deep connection to Detroit and emphasized the significant role Michigan would have in the looming elections. Emphasizing the importance of civic engagement, he urged everyone to exercise their right to vote, stating:

“I believe that expressing opinions shouldn’t come with fear. An America where individuals worry about backlash for voicing their thoughts is not acceptable.”

Mathers highlighted Harris’s commitment to safeguarding fundamental freedoms before inviting Obama to the stage. The former President has actively been campaigning for the Democratic ticket, recently rallying alongside Tim Walz in Madison, Wisconsin.

Em’s participation in the rally is potentially crucial, coming as the presidential campaign approaches its climax with the elections just around the corner.

Eminem’s Continued Support for Democratic Candidates

Following speeches from notable figures such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson, and Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, Eminem introduced Barack Obama.

Obama’s entrance coincided with the playing of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” The former President playfully rapped a few lines, sharing:

“I was under the impression that he would perform; I almost jumped out of my seat. I’m a huge Eminem fan.”

This isn’t Eminem’s first time showing support for a Democratic candidate. In the 2020 elections, he endorsed the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket through a campaign advertisement featuring “Lose Yourself.”

The rapper has also been vocal in his criticism of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. In August 2023, a video surfaced showing Eminem condemning Trump for “brainwashing”his supporters into believing he genuinely cares about them, declaring that “nothing great is happening.”

A year after Trump’s inauguration in 2017, Eminem delivered a powerful freestyle titled “The Storm”at the BET Hip Hop Awards, labeling the former president as “racist,”among other strong critiques.

Additionally, last year, he issued a letter to then-potential presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, demanding he refrain from using Eminem’s music. Moreover, in 2004, he voiced his dissent regarding George W. Bush’s Iraq War policies in his song “Mosh.”

Eminem isn’t the only artist making waves at Kamala Harris’s rallies as the election nears. Bruce Springsteen is scheduled to perform at campaign events in Atlanta on October 24 and Philadelphia on October 28. Earlier this month, Springsteen publicly endorsed Harris via an Instagram post.

His presence is likely to carry significant weight, particularly as Pennsylvania remains a crucial battleground state, alongside Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.

The U.S. presidential election is set for November 5.

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