Back in 2002, Eminem’s career-defining single “Lose Yourself” shook the music scene. Eighteen years later, the Missouri-born star would reprise his supersonic hit live at the 2020 Oscars, in a live performance that’s amassed an incredible 35 million views to date!
The live band rises like ghosts from an under-stage platform, Eminem taking the spotlight in vivid all-black attire, a casual look studded by a chunky gold neck chain and bracelets.
You don’t need to be a rap nerd to know that this song is practically inescapable – the innumerable times Eminem has slaughtered a crowd with live renditions; twenty years of radio play; its vicious lyrics and iconic guitar riff gradually ascending to the high ranks of meme status. We’ve all heard “Lose Yourself” a hundred times, yet after countless re-runs, Eminem still devised new ways to amp up the hype and nostalgia for this unforgettable hit.
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Despite Eminem, aged 48 in this clip, spitting his lyrics from his heart and commanding the stage like a seasoned pro, some celebs in the Oscars audience seem hilariously unimpressed. Don’t miss Billie Eilish’s side-splittingly unfazed reaction as the clip unfolds, the flat-line expressions of older audience members, and utter confusion of stars seemingly wondering why Eminem dragged this old tune to a stage celebrating the film hits of the year prior.
But as dead-eyed surprise takes over some celebs, others appear equally spellbound, one guy mouthing every lightning-fast lyric from the audience, a faceless lady grooving, head down and fist up to the flashback beat. Eminem has and always will be divisive. This clip simply brings it all out to the forefront.
“Lose Yourself” isn’t just iconic for that intro riff or for featuring on the “8 Mile” movie soundtrack back in 2002 – for which the song scooped up its own Oscar award the following year. This tune cemented itself in history as Eminem’s very first US chart-topper, scoring at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, also peaking at #1 in the UK, Australia, Norway, Switzerland, and stealing the top spot in 21 countries total across the globe.
After two and a half decades on the music scene, viewers of this viral clip are still loaded with support for Eminem as an inspirational force, with one top commenter writing, “People don’t understand Eminem came from nothing. Like nothing. He not only educated himself but worked his ass off to make it to the bigger stage. Guy is a legend.”
Others followed suit, peeling back the layers of Eminem’s influence in the comment, “A standing ovation is not enough for this self-made legend who has defined rap with his own terminology. There can never be another Eminem in the next 100 years to come.” Poignantly, another fan wrote, “Every single person in that audience under the age of 50 probably listened to that song in their darkest moments before fame and fortune. That’s why Eminem got a standing ovation.”
Eminem continues to demonstrate his undeniable talent and lasting impact on the music industry with each performance of “Lose Yourself,” forever etched in pop culture’s memory. If you’re keen to explore more about this iconic track and its legendary artist, check out the links below.