Eminem Defends His New Kid Rock Collaboration

Eminem has defended his appearance on Kid Rock’s new song “Heal My Faith,” describing the collaboration as a musical decision rooted in a friendship that predates their sharply different public politics.

The track appears on Kid Rock’s faith-centered album Halfway 2 Jesus, released Friday. After some listeners questioned why Eminem would work with one of Donald Trump’s most visible celebrity supporters, the Detroit rapper said the choice was not about taking a political side but about making music with an old friend.

Two Detroit careers cross again

The collaboration is not the pair’s first. Eminem appeared on “Fuck Off,” a track from Kid Rock’s 1998 album Devil Without a Cause, while Kid Rock later appeared in the video for Eminem’s 2013 single “Berzerk.” Their new recording extends a professional connection that began before either artist’s politics became such a prominent part of the public conversation around them.

Rolling Stone and Stereogum both reported that “Heal My Faith” addresses that divide directly. Eminem’s verse frames Kid Rock as a brother rather than a political enemy, turning the tension surrounding the collaboration into part of the song’s subject.

Kid Rock told Billboard, as relayed by both outlets, that he initially announced Eminem for another album track before settling on “Heal My Faith.” He also said he did not want to pull Eminem into his political world and that the two can disagree without ending their friendship.

Why the collaboration drew attention

The response reflects the contrast between the artists’ recent political identities. Eminem endorsed Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign and has criticized Trump in his music and public appearances. Kid Rock has remained a high-profile Trump ally and has frequently incorporated politics into his public persona.

Neither artist is presenting the song as evidence that those positions have changed. Instead, their explanation is that a longstanding personal and musical relationship can survive political disagreement. That framing may not satisfy every listener, but it makes the intent behind the recording clearer.

For Eminem, the statement also keeps the focus on the song rather than allowing the guest verse to be read as a new political endorsement. “Heal My Faith” is available as part of Halfway 2 Jesus, marking the latest reunion between two artists whose Detroit histories have intersected for nearly three decades.