Eminem has told the would be U.S. Republican presidential nominee Vivek Ramaswamy to stop using his music.
A ‘cease-and-desist‘ letter has insisted that the biotech entrepreneur not play or perform the rapper’s songs especially after he delivered an impromptu and cringeworthy version of the 8-mile score classic ”Lose Yourself” at the Iowa State Fair.
Eminem made the request via performing rights organisation BMI in a letter dated 23 August.
Mr Ramaswamy is vying to unseat Donald Trump as the presumed 2024 Republican nominee.
A spokeswoman for Mr Ramaswamy said he will comply with the request by Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III.
“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 composition,” BMI said in the letter.
It revoked the campaign’s licence to use Eminem’s music.
Mr Ramaswamy appeared to agree to the request. “To the American people’s chagrin, we will have to leave the rapping to the real slim shady,” Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the campaign, told NBC in a text message.
Mr Ramaswamy responded to the situation on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Will The REAL Slim Shady Please Stand Up? He didn’t just say what I think he did, did he?” he wrote, referring to another one of Eminem’s songs.
The 38-year-old political newcomer, born of Indian parents and a practising Hindu is seen as a rising star in the campaign following a strong performance at last week’s Republican debate.
He has positioned himself as an outsider willing to develop former President Trump’s “America First” agenda.
He caused dismay by saying that he would pardon Trump, were he to be somehow elected to the White House and the court addled former President be found guilty of the many, many charges he is facing in separate states across the U.S.