So, it seems that Eminem has had enough of Vivek Ramaswamy using his music on the campaign trail. The rapper’s lawyers recently reached out to BMI, the music licensing agency, and demanded that Ramaswamy’s license to use his music be revoked at campaign events.
Ramaswamy, the GOP presidential candidate, has been known to perform Eminem’s Oscar-winning song, “Lose Yourself,” at his events. But it looks like Eminem is not pleased with this and wants it to stop immediately.
In a letter sent to Ramaswamy’s campaign on August 23rd, Eminem’s lawyers made it clear that his works are to be excluded from the licensing agreement. The letter also stated that any further performances of Eminem’s music by the Vivek 2024 campaign would be considered a breach of the agreement.
It’s safe to say that Eminem is not messing around when it comes to his music being used without permission. And while Ramaswamy’s campaign might have enjoyed his little rap performances, it looks like they’ll have to find another way to pump up the crowd.
A representative for Ramaswamy told TMZ that they will have to leave the rapping to the “real slim shady.” It seems like they’ve accepted their fate and will no longer be using Eminem’s music on the campaign trail.
It’s not the first time that musicians have clashed with politicians over the unauthorized use of their music. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, and the Rolling Stones have all publicly voiced their disapproval when their songs were used by political candidates without permission.
In fact, BMI has strict guidelines about the use of music for political purposes. They require campaigns to obtain licenses for public performance rights. So, it’s clear that Ramaswamy’s campaign did not adhere to these guidelines, leading to Eminem’s legal action.
It’s important for artists to have control over how their music is used, especially when it comes to political campaigns. Using someone’s music without their permission can send mixed messages and create associations that might not align with the artist’s beliefs or values.
So, it looks like Ramaswamy will have to find another anthem to energize his supporters. As for Eminem, well, he’s taken a stand and made it crystal clear that his music is off-limits for political purposes. And with the power of BMI backing him up, it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to ignore his request.
