Eminem was never known for following the rules.
The Detroit rapper took to America's biggest stage at the Super Bowl on Sunday, alongside musical legends Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Mary J. Blige - but it's Eminem whose performance quickly became a trending topic online.
As he wrapped up his performance of his hit song, "Lose Yourself," from the movie 8 Mile, Eminem took a knee and held his hand in his head—a notable gesture coined by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 against racial injustice and police brutality.
This action, of course, was felt by many with every ounce of the no-so secret intended meaning. The move was deemed so radical by the NFL and right-wingers that Kaepernick was fired by the San Francisco 49ers and blackballed by the NFL.
The nod to Kaepernick for Eminem's part would have been highly received either way, but according to a report from Puck, the rapper was at odds with the NFL after he made his desire to kneel “Colin Kaepernick-style” known during the halftime show.
NFL sources have since denied such a dispute. Regardless, the rapper went ahead with his gesture.
And, as can only be expected, right-wingers lost their minds.
Dear @NFL / @pepsi \nWhat was the message of the #HalfTimeShow ?— Sean Spicer (@Sean Spicer) 1644802070
Good Super Bowl halftime show until washed up @Eminem has to get political and take a knee! @NFL , you will pay for your wokness\u2026— \u201cAnti-Federalist\u201dMichael Nickens Jr.\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@\u201cAnti-Federalist\u201dMichael Nickens Jr.\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1644803364
Not even a min pass and the lame stream media is out here posing this kind of BS\u2026*many people didn\u2019t even noticed the knee.https://twitter.com/independent/status/1493033523204304901\u00a0\u2026— Bobby Brown (@Bobby Brown) 1644802220
Anyone else notice the total lack of racial diversity in backup dancers and, except for Eminem, the performers during the #SuperBowlLVI #superBowlhalftime half time show? Eminem then took the knee, against racism, during an event that was totally exclusive of other races? WTFpic.twitter.com/6L3Z35rAx4— Corporation\ud83d\udd25Armageddon \ud83d\udd1c (@Corporation\ud83d\udd25Armageddon \ud83d\udd1c) 1644804535
Super Bowl hall time performances: save your money paying top celebrities and invite local high schools to perform and give money towards their art programs! Believe me performances will be much better and wholesome!— Esther Wehrman Otero (@Esther Wehrman Otero) 1644802490
The \u201cfuck your feelings\u201d crowd extremely upsethttps://twitter.com/donmoyn/status/1493039691200929792\u00a0\u2026— Molly Jong-Fast (@Molly Jong-Fast) 1644803566
Kaepernick first began sitting silently on benches during the national anthem, at the start of the 2016 season on 26 August.
On 1 September, he transitioned to taking a knee in protest instead, following advice from Retired Army Green Beret Nate Boyer, who suggested kneeling during the ceremony would be more respectful towards veterans.
At the time he said: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour,” Kaepernick said in a press conference after first sitting out during the anthem.
“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Thankfully, most of Sunday's viewers seemed to find Eminem's actions inspiring.
Eminem is the man. Great to see him take the knee after his performance. #SuperBowl #PepsiHalftimepic.twitter.com/fqmsag66Fc— Max (@Max) 1644802241
When a racist sees their favourite rapper Eminem take the knee #SuperBowlpic.twitter.com/R7EAoe7tpS— Adam \ud83d\udfe2\u26aa\ufe0f (@Adam \ud83d\udfe2\u26aa\ufe0f) 1644802497
Eminem took the knee despite NFL told him not to. Legend behaviour. #PepsiHalftime #HalfTimeShow #Eminempic.twitter.com/SOJUqZS89o— akie \ud83c\udff4 (@akie \ud83c\udff4) 1644802292
NFL: Don\u2019t take a knee, Eminem.\n\nEminem: So you want me to definitely, 100%, absolutely take a knee? Got it.https://twitter.com/phil_lewis_/status/1493033240835371015\u00a0\u2026— W. Kamau Bell (@W. Kamau Bell) 1644802134
This halftime show will not be taught in Florida schools.— Schooley (@Schooley) 1644802048