2002 was an amazing year for Eminem. The rapper was at the top of the music world and had just released 8 Mile, a drama loosely based on his own life. In early 2003, the 8 Mile soundtrack’s lead single, “Lose Yourself”, won the Oscar for “Best Original Song”, making it the first hip-hop single to take home the award.
17 years later at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards, Eminem shocked viewers with a surprise Oscars performance of “Lose Yourself” that singlehandedly broke the internet.
Look, if you had another shot, another opportunity… Thanks for having me @TheAcademy. Sorry it took me 18 years to get here. pic.twitter.com/CmSw2hmcZo
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) February 10, 2020
Reactions to the performance ranged from confusion to adulation. Some fans tweeted praise, like this:
A STANDING OVATION! THAT’S WHAT HE DESERVES! 😫 GREATEST OF ALL TIME.#eminem #eminemoscars2020 pic.twitter.com/l23eekb2tc
— Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness bitchh (@tonys_glasses) February 10, 2020
And this:
When Eminem hit the stage and started spittin! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/Fh7oP85EZB
— E.A. Freire (@EAFreire58) February 10, 2020
While others couldn’t help but notice that many of the celebrities in the audience were as confused as the viewers at home, particularly Billie Eilish and Idina Menzel:
Billie Eilish and Idina Menzel’s reaction to Eminem is all of us rn#Oscars pic.twitter.com/CuaY10KleH
— Erin M (@ErinMurray16) February 10, 2020
Somehow, the spectacle even managed to put Martin Scorsese to sleep.
scorsese at bong joon ho vs scorsese at eminem pic.twitter.com/13zGbST4xB
— mai ⵣ (@hrveyshader) February 10, 2020
Some fans even pointed out how little has changed for Em over the years:
Same energy #Eminem pic.twitter.com/9IZM7wgwFC
— My Name Is Marsh (@NameMarsh) February 10, 2020
Whatever your take on the performance is, the facts are clear: It was the top trending moment of the night and “Lose Yourself” is currently the number one song on iTunes. That’s some good news for the 47-year-old hip-hop veteran.
Below, watch Eminem perform “Lose Yourself” at the Oscars.
Eminem – “Lose Yourself” – 92nd Academy Awards – 2/9/20
[Video: Remy Gelenidze]