Detroit rapper Eminem made a rare political appearance to introduce former President Barack Obama at a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz. As the 2024 election draws near, Democrats are ramping up efforts to engage voters in crucial battleground states like Michigan, and this star-studded event was designed to energize the crowd and encourage voter turnout. Eminem, a Detroit native, took the stage to a roaring crowd and explained why he was there. “As most of you know, the city of Detroit and my home state of Michigan mean a lot to me,” he said. “Going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever, and I think it’s important to use your voice. So, I’m encouraging everyone to get out and vote.”
Eminem continued, urging people not to fear expressing their political opinions. “I don’t think anyone wants an America where people are worried about retribution for making their opinion known. I think Vice President Harris supports a future for this country, where this freedom and many others will be protected and upheld.”
The rapper’s speech set the stage for Obama, who came on to Eminem’s iconic track, “Lose Yourself.” In a light-hearted moment, Obama acknowledged the pressure of following Eminem’s introduction. “I gotta say, I’ve done a lot of rallies. So, I don’t usually get nervous, but I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem,” Obama joked. Then, to the crowd’s surprise and delight, he broke into the opening lines of the song’s verse: “Palms are sweaty, knees weak/ Arms are heavy, vomit on my sweater already/ Mom’s spaghetti.”
Rapper Eminem introduces former President Barack Obama at a Detroit rally for Vice President Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/SGURWEGAMw
The audience erupted in cheers as Obama humorously referenced one of Eminem’s most famous lyrics. He continued, “I thought Eminem was going to be performing, and I was going to jump out,” keeping the atmosphere both fun and focused on the importance of the upcoming election.
The rally was part of a final push by Democrats to galvanize voters in Michigan for the Kamala Harris campaign. Michigan is a critical swing state expected to play a crucial role in the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Early voting is just around the corner, and the event aimed to capitalize on the influence of local heroes like Eminem and political heavyweights like Obama.
Beyond the entertainment, the underlying message was clear: Detroit’s voter turnout could make or break the election. The rally also saw speeches from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin, who emphasized the importance of maintaining control of the Senate and the White House.
The combination of celebrity influence and political power at this rally served as a reminder of how crucial Michigan is in shaping the future of American politics.
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