Last Monday, Shakira jumped to number 1 on iTunes from her Super Bowl performance. “Whenever, Wherever” zoomed to the top of the charts after 18 years.
This morning, rapper Eminem rose to that same spot with his 2002 hit, “Lose Yourself.” Marshall Mathers’ appearance on the Oscars was a total shock to everyone in the Dolby Theater. But it also sparked the show in unexpected ways. Most of the audience was chanting along with the “song” that in 2003 Eminem did not come to Los Angeles for from his hometown of Detroit. The song was part of his movie, “8 Mile” directed by the late great Curtis Hanson, who died tragically in 2013 at 71.
I happened to know some of the people who were with Eminem last night and watched his performance with then. I asked why he didn’t come in 2003. The answer: “He’s very shy and doesn’t socialize much.” So I asked where they would all be going after the show last night. Answer: “Back to the hotel. He is very shy and doesn’t socialize much.” So that’s consistency!
Em did Tweet– or someone Tweeted for him– a nice statement following his throwdown:
. Sorry it took me 18 years to get here.”
It was Elton who normalized Eminem by performing “Stan” with him on the Grammy stage in 2001 after Eminem had been accused of homophobia.
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
