Rapper demands Trump stop using his Irish American hip hop anthem at rallies

The former frontman of rap group House of Pain has issued a cease and desist order to GOP frontrunner Donald Trump demanding the billionaire stop playing the 1992 hit “Jump Around” at his campaign rallies.

Rapper-turned-singer-songwriter Everlast – real name Erik Scody – took to Trump’s favorite medium, Twitter, to lambast the businessman for using the song, informing Trump that he did not have the right to play the famous Irish-American hip hop anthem during his campaign events.

In a foul-mouthed tirade across several social media platforms, Everlast voiced his anger that his former group’s hit was being used in this manner by an “ignorant racist piece of shit.”

“I don't want your money no amount you offer will get the license. I would love to meet you and smack that comb over right off your scalp you scumbag!!!” he continued.

Speaking to Billboard, Everlast said, "The smartest businessman in the world should know that you have to license this music if it makes an appearance on TV with you.-- so you're a moron. And the reason he doesn't ask anybody – a lot of people have asked him to cease and desist – [is] because every f---ing person would say, 'No, f--- you,' except for whatever right-wing country artist wants to give him the song, and I don't even think there's many of them."

The rapper has stated that he will not be proceeding with any further legal action beyond the cease and desist, however, as he feels that to do so would be a "a scumbag Donald Trump move."

"This man is going to ruin this country single-handedly. Just the fact that he [could be] president is going to get us shunned by the world," he said. "This is like some bizarre f---ing cartoon. I don't even get it."

With a video filmed during the New York St. Patrick’s Day, “Jump Around” became an anthem in US pop culture, especially among Irish Americans, and is often played at sporting events to pump up the crowd.

The song’s fame was heightened again in Ireland when comedian Des Bishop released an Irish-language version “Léim Thart” following his stint learning the language in the Connemara Gaeltacht and has since become a staple of every Irish student’s summer Gaeltacht adventure.

The former rapper is not the only musical artist to voice opposition to their music being used throughout Trump’s presidential campaign.

Both Neil Young and R.E.M spoke out about the billionaire playing their respective hits “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” at his rallies.

The British powerhouse Adele also made a more polite request that Trump cease from using her music, stating that she had not given permission for any candidate to make use of her songs.

Since his outburst, Everlast has apologized for his language and thanked Trump supporters who contacted him to tell him why the businessman has their vote. Accompanied by a new funny video in which Trump’s hair feels the bursting effect of “Jump Around,” the rapper stated he would use comedy not hate, and regretted “letting my anger get the best of me and resorting to name calling and threatening to smack him.”

“In my anger and dislike for the man and his tactics I wound up sounding just like him and that I regret. I'm not in anyway changing my stance but unlike Mr. Trump I can admit a mistake and try not to repeat it,” he continued in a long apology post.

“As much as I think Mr. Drumpf is a lying, manipulating , sociopath that only uses racist and divisive tactics I don't wish his supporters any ill will.”

Read more: Remote Irish island seeks Americans fleeing Donald Trump presidency

Of Irish and German descent, Everlast and the other members of House of Pain styled themselves as Irish-American hooligans during the height of their fame in the early 1990s, touring with The Ramones and Beastie Boys. Although dabbling in acoustic music in his last albums, Everlast will make a return to hip hop with his new album “Cull” to be released later this year.

In recent years, Everlast has converted to Islam from Catholicism.

H/T: TheJournal.ie