One of the things endearing voters to Vivek Ramaswamy is his lighthearted, fun nature.
This character was on full display last month when the Republican newcomer spontaneously busted out, rapping the lyrics to Eminem’s iconic song, “Lose Yourself” at the Iowa State Fair.
Eminem’s lyrics about overcoming fear and uncertainty to take a shot at greatness have been used by every underdog in America across all sectors. From athletes to businessmen, politicians to everyday Joes, have called on the song to hype themselves up to be bold, daring, and take risks in spite of overwhelming odds, especially in areas where they are not typically represented.
The song alludes to the famous rapper’s struggles as a poor white man in an industry overwhelmingly dominated by black artists.
Vivek Ramaswamy the Rapper
So, who better to belt the epic anthem than the biggest underdog in the Republican primary race, Vivek Ramaswamy; an Indian man raised in the United States with absolutely no political experience who is also the youngest candidate in the race?
Despite the obvious significance, one of the world’s most widely recognized rappers is having none of it.
According to a story first published in the Daily Mail, Eminem reportedly sent Vivek Ramaswamy’s team a cease and desist letter demanding he stop using his songs on the campaign trail.
A screenshot of the letter demonstrated that 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.”
Music and Political Tensions
The battle between pop stars and politicians, particularly Republicans, is nothing new.
In 2014, Eminem entered into another duel against New Zealand’s National Party after Prime Minister John Key used “Lose Yourself” in a campaign ad.
Bruce Springsteen was peeved that President Ronald Reagan had planned to use “Born in the USA” for his 1984 election campaign.
Of course, Donald Trump drew the ire of some of the biggest names in popular music including Adele, Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, and REM when he used their songs during his campaign.
“Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign,” REM singer Michael Stipe warned.
In 2020, Neil Young sued Mr. Trump’s re-election campaign for the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” for what he called an “un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
Although less frequent, temper tantrums of musicians run sometimes in the other direction.
Soul and R&B legend Sam Moore sent a letter to then-Sen. Barack Obama, requesting that his 2008 presidential campaign stop using “Hold On, I’m Comin,’” a song he performed as a member of the group Sam and Dave.
I love artists, musical and otherwise. At one point in my life, I had aspirations to be one, so I say this with all due respect. Get over yourselves.
The Universal Appeal of Good Art
Artistically inclined people, whether they be dancers, singers, actors, or painters, have the courage to put their talents (and sometimes lack thereof) on display in hopes that their creations resonate with an audience.
Typically the best songs, shows, or performances speak to the universality of being human – the highs and the lows, the struggles and the triumphs, the light and the dark sides that reside in every single one of us.
Many artists, at least the ones that don’t become completely and utterly narcissistic jack *****, have the humility to see themselves as mere vessels for the work they produce.
Maybe that’s why so many artists today are narcissistic jack *****. They are so full of hubris that they disconnect their talent from the one who granted it to them.
They’ve forgotten that everyone, even ones who don’t think like them, can relate to the stories they are telling. They’ve forgotten what a gift that is.
Turning music into a political weapon removes its accessibility and its purpose – to unite people in the human experience.
The Oliver Anthony Sensation
One musician who seems to get this is Oliver Anthony.
The working man turned musician told a Fox News reporter, “It’s not really even about me and my message. Really what I believe is God put this message out for people just to give them some hope.”
Anthony’s anthem, Rich Men North of Richmond was embraced by the right only to reject their accolades.
“The one thing that has bothered me is seeing people wrap politics up in this. It’s aggravating seeing people on conservative news try to identify with me like I’m one of them. It’s aggravating seeing certain musicians and politicians act like we’re buddies and act like we’re fighting the same struggle here, like that we’re trying to present the same message.”
Anthony openly speaks of God and gratitude for this country, what is now typically considered conservative values rather than the universal goods that they are. He claims that he just wants “people to start appreciating each other for human beings and look beyond political differences and ideologies.”
He continued, “A lot of things that I see corporate media and education doing which is making everyone identify each other’s differences and not their similarities.”
Nothing spoke to the universality of Anthony’s overnight hit more than a compilation of reaction videos to the song.
Young and old, black and white, men and women, were crying, clapping, and dancing not because of the color of Anthony’s skin or his political affiliation, but because of the sheer, raw, and real power of his voice and the piercing truth of his message.
Anthony told a Fox reporter who asked about the popularity of his song, “Yea, it resonates the suffering in the world right now. I think people are desperate for something positive again. There’s been a lot of people that died for us to be able to stand on this dirt and do what it is what we do every day and we should be excited for it.”
Highly visible artists have influence. More of them should use that notoriety the way Oliver Anthony has.
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review.
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