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Topics: Eminem, Super Bowl, Colin Kaepernick, NFL, US News, Music, Viral
Emily Brown
Topics: Eminem, Super Bowl, Colin Kaepernick, NFL, US News, Music, Viral
Ring-wing conservatives have lashed out against Eminem and the Super Bowl halftime show after the Lose Yourself rapper took the knee on stage.
Eminem performed alongside Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige, Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre at the renowned halftime show last night, February 13, in the midst of the game that saw the Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
As ever, there were a number of talking points during the show, including a surprise performance from 50 Cent, but it was Eminem's decision to drop one knee to the ground that caused outrage among a number of viewers and a flurry of backlash on social media.
The move came after NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick first took the knee during the national anthem at a 2016 preseason game in protest of police brutality and racism; a gesture which proved widely controversial. Six years on and the simple gesture is still not welcomed by all, as proved in the seconds and minutes after Eminem's display.
One Twitter user, who describes themselves as an 'anti-federalist', wrote: 'Good Super Bowl halftime show until washed up @Eminem has to get political and take a knee! @NFL , you will pay for your wokness [sic].'
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Another viewer, a self-described 'exposé of leftist propaganda', commented: 'Eminem taking the knee during the halftime show totally ruined his performance! Especially when he went political, total foolery!'
Meanwhile, other football fans lashed out at the halftime show more widely, with conservative activist Charlie Kirk among them as he wrote: 'The NFL is now the league of sexual anarchy. This halftime show should not be allowed on television.'
Sean Spicer, who worked as White House Communications Director under Donald Trump, commented: 'Dear @NFL / @pepsi What was the message of the #HalfTimeShow ?'
Though Eminem's move divided viewers, the NFL indicated it was 'aware' the rapper would be taking a knee as officials had 'watched it during rehearsals', The New York Times reports.
He took the knee after performing Lose Yourself, holding his head in his hand while Dr. Dre performed some of Tupac's I Ain't Mad at Cha in a tribute.
The rapper has previously made clear his support for Kaepernick, and in 2017 made reference to his efforts during a freestyle rap in which he also called out Trump.
Raising his fist, he sang: 'F*ck that, this is for Colin, ball up a fist and keep that sh*t balled like Donald the b*tch.'
Despite some viewers slamming Em's decision to drop to the floor, the rapper also received a wealth of support from those who appreciated his apparent public stand against racism.
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