Eminem responds to backlash over his collaboration with Kid Rock on 'Halfway 2 Jesus', explaining why their decades-long friendship matters more than political differences.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleEminem has been receiving a barrage of hate over the last few days for his controversial collab with Kid Rock. The Mockingbird rapper has been slammed by fans for featuring on Rock's new faith-based album, Halfway 2 Jesus, which was released on October 17, 2026, because he collaborated with a major Donald Trump supporter.
For Eminem, however, conflicting political views never mattered when it came to friendships. The rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has known Kid Rock for over four decades, and he has shared a brief message for the critics.
Taking to social media, Eminem made a brief statement marking the album's release. Shortly after the album's release, the rapper wrote on his Instagram and X handles, "Not about choosing sides, just choosing to make music with my old friend. Praying for all of us."
The statement came after fans reacted to his appearance on Heal My Faith, a track from Rock's latest album. The collaboration surprised some listeners because the rappers have expressed different political views in recent years.
The collaboration raised eyebrows as Eminem has been a loud critic of the U.S. President. He endorsed Kamala Harris at a Detroit rally in 2024 and has publicly criticized Donald Trump on multiple occasions. Kid Rock, meanwhile, has become one of Trump's most visible supporters in the music industry.
Their political differences quickly became a talking point after Rock initially announced Eminem as a guest on another song, 7 Sins. The final album features Eminem on Heal My Faith, while Lil Wayne appears on the latter.
However, the change did not stop the debate. Some fans questioned whether the collaboration aligned with Eminem's previously expressed political views. One user commented, "Sometimes it's okay to end friendships over moral differences," and another argued, "Not choosing sides is choosing a side." A third acknowledged the message behind the song but expressed reservations about the pairing, writing, "I hear the sentiment of the verse, and I get it. I just don't know if I would have done it with HIM."
Others defended Eminem's decision, arguing that he should be free to make music with longtime friends regardless of their political affiliations. One commenter wrote, "Nearly 30 years later, he still remembers someone who believed in him before the rest of the world did. You don't have to share someone's beliefs to remember that they once believed in you."
Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, also addressed the collaboration in an interview with Billboard, explaining that he and Eminem have maintained their friendship for decades despite their differences. Rock said, "We've been friends for, like, 40 years. I really didn't want to drag him into my political world.'
The All Summer Long rapper added that while he and Eminem do occasionally discuss politics, they never let their political disagreements define what they have. Rock told the outlet:
"We talk about [politics] a little bit, not a ton. There's a lot of stuff we agree on, and we can have a laugh about what [we don't]. That's why I asked him to write a verse for me."
Marshall and Robert's connection dates back to 1990, when an aspiring Eminem reportedly challenged Rock to a rap battle during an in-store appearance at a Detroit-area record shop. Both artists went on to build successful careers, and their shared hometown has remained an important part of their connection.
The duo's musical relationship developed further in the late 1990s. Eminem contributed to Rock's track F--k Off, while Rock added scratches to Eminem's My Fault. Their collaborations remained relatively limited in the years that followed, making Heal My Faith a notable reunion.
Rock says Eminem's contribution to the new song grew out of a request for help with the material. The rapper ultimately wrote a full verse that reflected on their history and the friendship they maintained despite their different outlooks. In the verse, Eminem sums up that relationship with the line, "He is my brother, not my political enemy."
Rock said the album was intended to promote forgiveness and encourage people to look beyond their disagreements. He told Billboard, "This album is about forgiveness and second chances. Trying to heal some of the division in our country."
Do you think political differences should matter in artistic collaborations and decades-long friendship?
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