Obama Channels Eminem in Detroit: A Rap Moment That Stole the Show

At a rally in Detroit, former President Barack Obama found himself stepping into an unexpected role—channeling one of the city’s most famous musical icons, Eminem. What began as a typical campaign event quickly turned into a viral moment when Obama launched into a rendition of Eminem’s iconic rap “Lose Yourself” from the 2002 film 8 Mile. This surprising twist at the rally energized the crowd and social media alike.

The event, held to promote Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, saw Eminem introducing Obama to a home-state crowd. At 52, the Detroit native rapper urged attendees to get out and vote, endorsing Harris in the upcoming election.

As Obama took the stage, he humorously acknowledged the challenge of following a hip-hop legend. “I have done a lot of rallies, so I don’t usually get nervous,” he quipped. “But I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem.” Then, in a moment that stunned the audience, Obama began to rap the opening lines of “Lose Yourself,” adjusting the lyrics to fit his own experience:

“I notice my palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy, vomit on my sweater already, mom’s spaghetti, I’m nervous but on the surface I look calm and ready to drop bombs but I keep on forgetting,” Obama recited, to thunderous applause. Adding to the light-hearted nature, he concluded with a smile, saying, “Love, love me some Eminem.”

The rally was held during the first week of early voting in Michigan, one of the key states in the upcoming election. Obama’s unexpected rap performance became an instant hit on social media. One user even dubbed it “one of the most unexpected best scenes of 2024.” Others saw it as a clever move to engage younger voters. “President Obama reciting Eminem lyrics is peak millennial activation,” wrote Treasury Department spokesperson Ashley Schapitl on X (formerly Twitter).

Michigan, part of the northern “blue wall” states, has been a critical battleground in recent elections, and Democrats are hoping to repeat their successes in both statewide and legislative races. Obama’s appearance, bolstered by Eminem’s endorsement of Harris, aimed to galvanize support and ensure high voter turnout.

Eminem’s involvement in this political moment continues his long-standing tradition of speaking out against Republican figures. In the past, he has used his platform to criticize political leaders, from releasing the protest song “Mosh” in 2004 against President George W. Bush to condemning Donald Trump’s policies during the 2016 campaign. More recently, in 2023, Eminem publicly requested that Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stop using his song “Lose Yourself” after the entrepreneur performed it during a campaign event in Iowa.

Eminem’s endorsement of Harris places him among a growing list of celebrities backing the vice president’s bid for the White House. Fellow stars such as Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Cher, and Usher have also publicly shown their support, reflecting a strong wave of celebrity influence in the political arena.

As Obama’s rap moment continues to trend across platforms, it serves as a reminder of the unique ways in which politics and pop culture collide—sometimes with unforgettable results. Whether this moment will translate into votes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Obama’s spontaneous tribute to Eminem is a campaign highlight that won’t soon be forgotten.

@msnbc Former President Barack Obama raps Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” after being introduced by the rapper at a rally for VP Kamala Harris in Detroit, Michigan. #barackobama #eminem #detroit #rap #politics #news #election2024 ♬ original sound – MSNBC