Barack Obama raps ‘Lose Yourself’ when Eminem introduces him at Kamala Harris’ rally in Detroit

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Eminem welcomed Barack Obama to the stage while attending a Kamala Harris event in Michigan, barely two weeks before the 2024 presidential election. And the former president couldn’t help but rap one of Eminem’s most popular songs.

The Grammy-winning musician, 52, and former Democratic President, 63, momentarily shared the limelight on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in Detroit, rallying support for Harris’ campaign ahead of Election Day.

After being welcomed by Eminem, Obama opened his address with a quote from the rapper’s 2002 smash song “Lose Yourself.”

“I’ve done a lot of rallies, so I’m not typically anxious. But I was feeling a certain way after hearing Eminem,” Obama stated from the platform. “I noticed my palms are sweaty, my knees are weak, my arms are heavy, and I’ve already vomited on my sweater and Mom’s spaghetti,” Obama said from the platform.

As the audience screamed, Obama resumed singing the song, which earned a Grammy for Best Rap Song and Best Male Rap Solo Performance in 2004. “Despite my nervousness, I appear composed and prepared to deliver a powerful performance, yet I can’t help but forget.”

Obama concluded by singing the iconic entrance music and addressing the roaring audience, “I love me some Eminem.”

While introducing Obama seconds before, Eminem stated that he “wrote down a few things I wanted to say.”

“I’m here tonight for a couple of important reasons,” explained the “Houdini” rapper. “As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me, and 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 everybody to get out and vote, please.”

“I also think that people shouldn’t be afraid to express their opinions, and I don’t think anyone wants an America where people are worried about retribution for what people will do if you make your opinion known,” he went on.

“I think Vice President Harris supports a future for this country where these freedoms and many others will be protected and upheld,” Eminem told reporters.

Eminem, who previously backed Obama’s political career, has also endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket for 2020. Before the past election, the rap legend published an official campaign ad with “Lose Yourself” playing in the backdrop and captioned it, “One opportunity… #Vote.”

The rapper has been openly critical of Harris’ opponent, Donald Trump. In October 2017, Eminem gave an almost five-minute freestyle rap at the BET Awards that mocked the 45th President of the United States, who was finishing his first year in office at the time.

In the song, titled “The Storm,” Eminem labeled Trump a “b—-” and attacked him for his remarks about a White supremacist event in Charlottesville, as well as his assaults on NFL player protests.

In 2017, Eminem unleashed a new song, “Framed,” in which he once again criticized Trump, uttering the line, “That’s an awfully hot coffee pot. Should I drop it on Donald Trump?” Probably not, but that’s all I have until I can come up with a strong narrative.”

In 2018, Eminem hinted in a line from his song “The Ringer” that he was visited by the Secret Service after “Framed” was released. “‘Cause Agent Orange just sent the Secret Service/to meet in person to see if I really think of hurting him,” the rapper’s lyrics read.

According to records previously published by BuzzFeed, the Secret Service described Eminem as “exhibiting inappropriate behavior” and accused him of threatening the “protectee,” referring to Trump.

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