Eminem, “The Real Slim Shady” rapper, took a knee during this weekend’s Super Bowl. The rapper performed alongside Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg during the halftime show. At the end of his performance, he dropped to one knee and hung his head low to pay homage to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick took a knee during a San Diego game during the National Anthem to bring awareness to police brutality and racial inequality. Kaepernick taking this powerful stance started a movement of athletes kneeling in protest. During an interview after the game, Kapernick told NFL Media, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Even with Eminem’s powerful gesture, it hasn’t been the first time he used his platform to speak up against the issue. In his verse, “The Adventures of Moon Man and Slim Shady,” Eminem rapped:
“Prayers to George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery,
How the f*** is it that so many cops are dirty?
Stop, man, please, officer, I’m sorry
But I can’t breathe when I got you on top of me
Your goddamn knees on my carotid artery”
After the act was done, it was also brought into question on whether or not the NFL knew about Eminem taking a knee prior. The NFL denied accusations that they tried to stop Eminem from taking a knee. Brian McCarthy spoke up about the situation and said, “We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that.”
