Gospel choir sings Eminem at Ben Carson's presidential kickoff

Conservative neurosurgeon Ben Carson is a unique candidate in the 2016 Republican field, and he held an announcement event that was similarly unique.

Instead of the rotation of country music and pro-America power ballads that are typical of GOP events, Carson's remarks were preceded by a gospel choir singing rapper Eminem's "Lose Yourself."

"You better lose yourself in the music, the moment,

You own it, you better never let it go,

You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow,

This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo.

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment,

You own it, you better never let it go,

You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow

This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo," the choir sang.

Carson's wife, Candy, also played the violin, and Carson's announcement event was in his hometown of Detroit.

The Washington Post reported that less than 24 hours before the announcement he got the news that his mother, Sonya, would likely die within days. She has suffered from Alzheimer's disease since 2011. He canceled his first rally as a candidate, which was scheduled to be in Iowa, and instead will fly to Dallas to say goodbye to his mother.

"There has to be a mourning process," Carson told the Post. "And then I'll move on."