Obama electrifies the crowd as he raps Eminem's 'Lose Yourself' at Harris-Walz campaign rally

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Former President Barack Obama electrified the crowd at a Harris-Walz campaign rally in Detroit on Tuesday night by unexpectedly rapping the iconic lyrics from Eminem’s 'Lose Yourself'.

Taking the stage to enthusiastic applause, Obama kicked off his remarks with a reference to the legendary Detroit rapper’s hit song, “His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy,” he said, drawing cheers from the audience.

Barack Obama and Eminem unite to energize voters at Detroit rally

“I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem,” Barack Obama joked as the crowd roared. “I thought Eminem was going to perform, I was ready to jump out.”

His playful reference to the rapper not only delighted the audience but also highlighted his well-known connection to Eminem's music, which Obama had used during his 2008 campaign.

Obama has long been a fan of 'Lose Yourself', a track known for its themes of determination and overcoming adversity, making it an apt choice for a political rally.

Eminem, who introduced Obama on stage, took a more serious tone during his appearance. The rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, said, “Going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever,” reported Newsweek.

Michigan native Eminem has often expressed his political views and his disdain for former President Donald Trump is well known.

Eminem previously took a jab at Donald Trump in his music

Eminem once described Donald Trump as “a f*****g turd” and famously targeted him in a 2017 diss track, which led to an interview by the US Secret Service due to lyrics deemed “threatening.” The blend of music and politics was unmistakable at Tuesday's rally.

Obama drew comparisons between the Harris-Walz campaign playlist and the musical choices of Trump’s previous rallies. “The Harris campaign playlist might be better. I’d have ‘Lose Yourself’ on there,” he quipped.

Loren Kajikawa, chair of the music program at George Washington University’s Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, emphasized the powerful role music plays in political campaigns.

“Music is a very effective shorthand for making connections with perspective voters and certain constituencies without having to say certain things," Kajikawa noted.

"You can tap into certain attitudes and feelings embedded in the music. It can be a way of saying, ‘I am like you, because we share this music together.' It can also be a way of sharing presidential identity,” he added.

Kamala Harris taps star power to connect with marginalized voters through music

Kamala Harris’ campaign has embraced this strategy, consistently featuring musical guests who appeal to key voter groups. Her events have showcased performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, Usher, Lil Jon, and Stevie Wonder.

Endorsements from stars like Taylor Swift, Cher, John Legend, and Billie Eilish have added to the musical diversity of her campaign.

Kajikawa explained the significance of these choices: “Harris’ music choices, such as Beyonce’s 'Freedom', work well to have her fashion herself from ‘top cop Kamala’ to someone who is going to be on the side of the marginalized and vulnerable in our society.”

For younger voters, particularly millennials and Gen Z, these choices strike a chord. “Beyonce is a smart choice, connects her to another strong Black woman with a large fan base,” Kajikawa said. “It’s liked by millennial and Gen Z fan base who she needs to show up.”