The Oscars audience lost themselves briefly Sunday night when Eminem dropped by for a surprise performance of “Lose Yourself,” 17 years after he won an Academy Award for the “8 Mile” track at the 2003 awards show — which he skipped.
Following the stunt and a standing ovation from the audience, Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers) took to Twitter to thank the Academy for letting him do his thing tonight, since he did not attend their 75th ceremony, at which he was awarded the statuette for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself” — the first-ever hip-hop track to win in that category.
“Look, if you had another shot, another opportunity… Thanks for having me @TheAcademy,” Slim Shady tweeted, alongside a clip of him missing the 2003 Oscars. “Sorry it took me 18 years to get here.”
“8 Mile” was released in 2002 at the height of Eminem’s powers. In the semi-autobiographical drama, Eminem played struggling battle rapper, B. Rabbit.
“The Eminem Show,” the followup to 2000s “The Marshall Mathers LP,” was released the same year as “8 Mile.”
Mathers burst onto the hip-hop scene with 1999’s “The Slim Shady LP” and its lead single, “My Name Is” which notably was built around a sample of Labi Siffre’s 1975 track “I Got The… .”
Eminem dropped his last few studio albums by surprise. The latest, “Music to Be Murdered By,” came out on Jan. 17 with no pre-promotion. Shady/Aftermath/Interscope release “Music to Be Murdered By” is comprised of 20 tracks.
Watch Eminem’s performance of “Lose Yourself” at Sunday’s Oscars via the video in the tweet below.
Oscars 2020: The Most Outrageous Red Carpet Looks (Photos)
The rain didn't keep the head-turning fashions away from the red carpet. Check out the most outrageous looks from the Oscars.
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Billie Eilish wore an oversized Chanel coat. The Grammy darling will be performing tonight.
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Spike Lee paid homage to Kobe Bryant in a purple and yellow suit with Bryant's number -- 24 -- embroidered on the lapels. Matching kicks finished the look.
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Billy Porter took a walk on the wild side in this animal print dress and sparkling gold top.
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An expectant America Ferrera showed off her baby bump in her self-described "warrior queen" look finished with a metallic headband from her indigenous peoples.
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Janelle Monae sparkled in a hooded silver gown which featured 168,000 hand-embroidered crystals.
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"The Irishman" costume designer Sandy Powell has gotten autographs at every awards season on her suit.
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Sandra Oh played with volume with these flared sleeves and feathered train.
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Olivia Colman looked regal in navy with unusual cap sleeves.
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Natalie Portman made a not-so-subtle statement with the names of the female directors not nominated this year embroidered on her cape.
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Saoirse Ronan embraced the peplum trend in a big way.
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Timothee Chalamet bucked the black tie trend in this navy jumpsuit.
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Kristen Wiig turned heads in this dramatic structured gown with contrasting black gloves.
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Gal Gadot wore this racy lacy top paired with a soft whisper pink tulle skirt.
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Spike Lee pays tribute to Kobe Bryant, Janelle Monae sparkles in silver and Kristen Wiig goes for ruffles in red
The rain didn't keep the head-turning fashions away from the red carpet. Check out the most outrageous looks from the Oscars.