Ramaswamy, I Urge You to Cease Using My Songs, Says Eminem

After Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate, gained viral attention for his rendition of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” at the Iowa State Fair, Eminem is taking action to prevent a repeat occurrence. BMI, the music licenser, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Ramaswamy’s campaign, which was obtained by various news outlets including NBC News. The letter stated that Eminem, professionally known as Marshall B. Mathers III, objected to the campaign’s use of his music compositions. As a result, BMI revoked the campaign’s rights to use the music at appearances, according to ABC News. In response, Ramaswamy’s campaign issued a statement saying, “To the American people’s disappointment, we will leave the rapping to the real slim shady.”

As reported by the Hill, Ramaswamy recently expressed his admiration for Eminem’s music in an interview with the New York Times. During his time at Harvard, Ramaswamy performed under the stage name “Da Vek the Rapper.” He stated that while he didn’t grow up in similar circumstances as Eminem, he resonates with the idea of being an underdog and defying low expectations. However, Fox News has questioned Ramaswamy’s claims of being an underdog, highlighting his privileged upbringing. Ramaswamy also declared to ABC News that he would be the first presidential candidate in US history to do a karaoke rendition of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” In response to Eminem’s cease-and-desist, Ramaswamy defiantly tweeted the lyrics to another Eminem hit.