And at the mention of Detroit, two names who come out are Eminem and Barack Obama. One is a Grammy-winning rapper whose music defined the generation while the other, the first African American President in the United States. On the face of it, they may look like they belong to different worlds, but Detroit is where both of their legacies find common ground. The city, in effect has played an instrumental role in their becoming who they are and giving them the means through which they can go about their careers and cultural influences, making their joint appearances in Detroit even more iconic.
Detroit: More Than a City for Both Eminem and Barack Obama
Detroit represents more than what would be expected and known to those around the world as just a city for both Eminem and Barack Obama-it’s a symbol of resilience and a battleground of hardship and hope. Eminem’s music largely reflected a child’s struggle growing up in Detroit. It was their ground, where Obama truly had a connection with during his campaign when he called for the revival of this ailing economy. Where two worlds meet and both use their platforms to speak of issues affecting both city and outside of it .
Eminem : Detroit’s Hip-Hop Legend
Eminem is the name synonymous with Detroit: born Marshall Mathers, it was out of the somewhat angry streets of a city that had been economically and otherwise battered by the economic crises that he emerged to become the voice of the voiceless. Raw lyrics and a fierce persona were his ways of expressing challenges in life that perhaps were in the hearts of millions, leading to albums that starkly reflect the struggles, frustrations, and victories of growing up in Motor City; The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show are all testaments to this.
It was not just about music; Eminem also represented the grit and determination of Detroit. Even after he had become famous, he kept it real to his city: the more fame went straight to his head, the brighter he shone the light upon Detroit and its people.
Barack Obama: Detroit and the Presidency
Barack Obama’s link to Detroit was very visible during his presidential campaign in 2008. Most times, Obama convened with city residents, discussing the economical problems and revival of the automobile industry. It was not just a visit to that town-he represented change-restoration and rebirth that Detroit needed to rejuvenate.
But Obama’s efforts to salvage the US auto industry cemented the bond for life as president with the Motor City. His policies in office would breathe new life into the region and enshrine Detroit into his legacy. Obama’s familiarity with the issues that Detroiters had endured lent credibility to his words by making his idea of connection to communities to feel neglected by the previous administration have meat.
Iconic Moments Together
While Eminem and Obama did not collaborate on a mixtape (not yet, at least!), they have certainly made a bit of history together. Their first public sighting was at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser, where Obama recognized that Eminem, through his impact on Detroit’s youth, was one person who could make a difference.
One of the most notable times was through Eminem’s appearance as part of Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012. In interviews, the rapper publicly endorsed Obama and even went so far as to use his own music as a call to action by urging support through votes. The joining of these two individuals wasn’t only symbolic; they were both connected by a mutual belief in the reinvigoration of Detroit and the people’s power.
Support for Politics
Eminem, however, is not someone to hide his face from discussing politics. As the years pass, he has used his music as a form of expression for political opinion, especially during the Bush Administration and now with what he had written about Donald Trump. The vote, though, for Barack Obama was vocal. Eminem noted in an interview in 2012 that it was hope for Detroit and the other cities in the country where such issues are prevalent. It could lead to a change, he said, for those living in places like that.
This allowed Eminem to draw upon his position as a cultural icon whose opinions many members of young America would hold in great esteem, and thus he voiced his support for Obama. In doing so, he lined himself up with leadership that, he could only hope, made a difference.
