Eminem is standing by his decision to join Kid Rock on “Heal My Faith,” responding to fans who questioned the collaboration because of the two Detroit artists’ sharply different political views.

The track appears on Kid Rock’s new faith-based album, Halfway 2 Jesus, which was released Friday, Oct. 17. Hours after its arrival, Eminem addressed the reaction directly on social media.

“Not about choosing sides, just choosing to make music with my old friend,” he wrote. “Praying for all of us.”

The pairing caught some listeners off guard because both artists have made their political positions public. Eminem endorsed Kamala Harris during a 2024 rally in Detroit and has criticized Donald Trump in music including “Campaign Speech.” Kid Rock, meanwhile, is one of Trump’s most prominent supporters in music.

Rather than avoiding that conflict, Eminem confronts it in his “Heal My Faith” verse.

“From shock rap to the rock rap, my homie and me / He is my brother, not my political enemy,” he raps. The verse goes on to advocate unity across political parties and religious lines.

A friendship bigger than politics

Kid Rock said he and Eminem have been friends for roughly four decades, although politics apparently does not dominate their conversations.

Speaking to Billboard, Kid Rock said, “I really didn’t want to drag him into my political world.” He added that the two talk about politics “a little bit, not a ton.”

That approach aligns with the broader intentions Kid Rock described for Halfway 2 Jesus. He said the album is “about forgiveness and second chances” and represents an effort to “heal some of the division in our country.”

The final version of their collaboration also changed during the album’s development. Eminem was originally announced as appearing on another song, “7 Sins.” The longtime friends ultimately decided to limit their work together on the project to one track, with Lil Wayne taking the guest spot on “7 Sins.”

That left “Heal My Faith” as Eminem’s sole appearance on the album — and made the song’s message about friendship across political divisions the defining element of their latest team-up.

Their history stretches back decades

The collaboration is not the first time Eminem and Kid Rock have crossed paths creatively. Eminem appeared on Kid Rock’s 1998 track “F— Off,” from the album Devil Without a Cause. Kid Rock later appeared in the video for Eminem’s 2013 single “Berzerk.”

Both performers also have major Billboard chart histories. Eminem has earned 10 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and five No. 1 songs on the Hot 100.

Kid Rock’s 1998 breakthrough album, Devil Without a Cause, is diamond-certified, while “All Summer Long” reached the Hot 100’s top 10.

Those shared years and career milestones provide essential context for Eminem’s response. His explanation does not dispute the political divide between them. Instead, it frames “Heal My Faith” as a decision rooted in an enduring personal connection and a willingness to make music despite their disagreements.

ShowBiz Take

“Heal My Faith” matters because the controversy surrounding it is also the subject of the collaboration itself. Eminem did not simply appear alongside an artist with opposing politics and leave listeners to interpret the decision. His verse explicitly separates friendship from political allegiance, while his social media response reinforces the same point.

Kid Rock’s comments place the song within the album’s stated themes of forgiveness, second chances and reducing division. Whether every fan accepts that message is another question, but neither artist is presenting the partnership as a sign that their political differences have disappeared.

Instead, the track asks listeners to consider whether a long-standing friendship can continue across a political divide. For Eminem and Kid Rock, the answer on “Heal My Faith” is clear: disagreement did not rule out collaboration.