Seventeen years after winning an Oscar for the 8 Mile track “Lose Yourself,” Slim Shady finally found his way to the stage to perform the 2002 hit.
The 92nd Annual Academy Awards got underway at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Feb. 9. Shortly after the performance aired, Shady tweeted about the momentous occasion. “Look, if you had another shot, another opportunity,” he wrote. “Thanks for having me @TheAcademy. Sorry it took me 18 years to get here.”
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
“Lose Yourself” won an Oscar in the Best Original Song category at the 2003 Academy Awards and was the first Hip Hop song ever to earn the honor. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it remained for 12 consecutive weeks. It also marked Em’s first chart-topping single.
Sir Elton John, who also collected a gilded trophy in the Best Original Song category, reconnected with Shady backstage. Subsequently, Em decided to share the moment with his 22.9 million Twitter followers.
I got to see my Uncle Elton tonight at the Oscars. Congrats on your win too, Sir! @eltonofficial pic.twitter.com/9HsQHvGzM4
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) February 10, 2020
John has also been instrumental in Em’s journey to sobriety. In a 2009 interview, Em revealed he contacted John for advice when he initially wanted to get sober. Following a near-fatal overdose in 2007, the Detroit-bred rap god ultimately decided to get clean on April 20, 2008. He will celebrate 12 years clean in April of this year.
Check out the performance below.