Common Performs At El-Sayed’s Final Detroit Rally As Eminem Song Scores Campaign Ad

Common performed at Abdul El-Sayed’s final Detroit campaign rally Monday night, while Eminem’s “Not Afraid” appeared in the Michigan Senate candidate’s closing get-out-the-vote video.

The November 2 rally drew at least 650 people to the Majestic Theater. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other Michigan Democratic leaders joined El-Sayed for his final appeal before the November 3 election.

The Democratic nominee addressed doubts about his chances against Republican Mike Rogers, telling supporters those doubts also sold Michigan voters short.

“And I know Michigan, and I know how big-hearted and open-minded and earnest and gritty, we in this state are,” El-Sayed said.

Common’s appearance was part of a turnout push that asked supporters to do more than attend a show. The campaign’s event listing advertised the Grammy-winning rapper as a special guest for its final Detroit rally and urged people to bring friends, contact family and knock on doors.

“Campaigns aren’t won on TV. They’re won on porches, on sidewalks, in conversations between neighbors who believe Michigan deserves better,” the campaign wrote.

Eminem’s music carried a separate campaign message. El-Sayed’s final campaign video used “Not Afraid,” the rapper’s 2010 single. The ad paired the track with a Michigan-themed message that he was “doing this for MI.”

The song choice also came weeks after Eminem collaborated with Kid Rock on “Heal My Faith.” Kid Rock, a fellow Michigan artist, had compared El-Sayed to the September 11 hijackers, Consequence noted.

Another rapper had already made a campaign appearance for the other side.

Nicki Minaj urged Republican votes at Donald Trump’s October 25 rally at McMorran Place Arena in Port Huron, where she led chants for Rogers and gubernatorial candidate John James.

On October 31, Minaj criticized El-Sayed on X over comments from his October 28 appearance on “Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know.” He had discussed his parents missing his high school games and the pressure he felt growing up.

He linked that pressure to learning not to take himself too seriously. Minaj interpreted that account as jealousy and anger directed at white people.

El-Sayed, a former public health official, and Rogers, a former congressman, were seeking the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.