The 2024 Presidential Election is still over a year away, but newcomer candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has already taken an L following his recent performance of Eminem‘s hit “Lose Yourself” at a campaign event in Iowa as Eminem’s legal team sent a cease and desist order requesting that Ramaswamy not use Em’s intellectual property at political events.
Ramaswamy first performed the song karaoke-style at the Iowa State Fair in an appearance with Gov. Kim Reynolds. He said that the song was his favorite walkout song for a campaign event. (CNN has a video of the performance.)
Eminem’s legal team reportedly reached out to music licenser BMI, who then sent a letter to Ramaswamy’s lawyer that read as follows:
Dear Mr. Roberts:
This letter serves as notice to you pursuant to the BMI Music License for Political Entities or Organizations entered into by Broadcast Music, Inc. (‘BMI) and Vivek 2024 on May 24, 2023 (the Agreement**) that BMI has received a communication from Marshall B. Mathers, III, professionally known as Eminem, objecting to the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign’s use of Eminem’s musical compositions (the “Eminem Works”) and requesting that BMI remove all Eminem Works from the Agreement.
As such, pursuant to Paragraph 2(a) of the Agreement, this letter serves as notice that the Eminem Works are excluded from the Agreement effective immediately. 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.
Very Truly Yours,
Pamela Williams
Ramaswamy has apparently agreed to comply with his campaign spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stating: “To the American people’s chagrin, we will have to leave the rapping to the real slim shady.”
Ramaswamy, 38, is the youngest serious presidential contender in the current crowded candidate field and hopes his youth will allow him to connect to younger voters.
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