Eminem says Kid Rock collaboration is about music and a long friendship
After appearing on Kid Rock’s new album, Eminem said their collaboration was about making music together despite their political differences.
Eminem said on October 17 that his appearance on Kid Rock’s song ‘Heal My Faith,’ from Rock’s newly released album Halfway 2 Jesus, was about making music with an old friend. His statement addressed questions about why the two artists had collaborated despite their different political positions.
‘Not about choosing sides, just choosing to make music with my old friend. Praying for all of us,’ Eminem wrote on social media, according to Rolling Stone and Consequence. Rock released the album on Friday, October 16, Rolling Stone reported.
What Eminem and Kid Rock say on ‘Heal My Faith’
In his verse, Eminem recalls Kid Rock attending a release party for The Slim Shady EP when Eminem was still little known, Consequence reported. He calls Rock ‘my brother, not my political enemy’ and says people with different political and religious views can agree. The song places their longstanding relationship at the centre of a collaboration that has drawn attention for their differences.
Kid Rock closes the track with a spoken message saying he loves Eminem and that people can think differently while remaining free to do so, according to Consequence. In the album’s foreword, Rock described their continuing friendship despite political differences as an example for people who have fallen out with friends or family over politics. The album also features Lil Wayne and Jimmie Allen, Consequence reported.
Rolling Stone reported that Rock discussed the collaboration in an interview with Billboard. Rock said they had been friends for about 40 years and that he did not want to draw Eminem into his political world. They discuss politics occasionally, he said, and can laugh about their disagreements. Rock said their friendship was why he asked Eminem to write a verse for him.
Why the pairing drew attention
Some Eminem fans questioned the collaboration, Rolling Stone reported, given the artists’ public political differences. Eminem endorsed Kamala Harris at a Detroit rally in 2024 and has criticized Donald Trump in his music; Rock is a prominent Trump supporter. The reported criticism establishes a reaction to the pairing, though its scale is unclear.
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Sources and context
- Eminem Defends New Collaboration With 'Old Friend' Kid Rock: 'Not About Choosing Sides'Rolling Stone
- Kid Rock Drops Christian Music Album with Eminem Collaboration "Heal My Faith"Consequence
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.