Ben Carson launched his presidential bid at a music hall in Detroit, Mich., on Monday. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, first announced his candidacy on Sunday evening in an interview with an Ohio television station in advance of his formal rollout.

He took the stage with his wife after several musical performances, including an African-American choir’s performance of rap artist Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” Carson spoke about his upbringing in Detroit and life on the streets, reminiscing about when his “favorite drug dealer” was killed and how his mother instilled in him the importance of an education.