Lose Yourself

The song 'Lose Yourself' is the theme from the rapper's semi-biographical film, 8 Mile, released in 2002. In the song, Eminem narrates the life of the movie's protagonist, Jimmy, until the third verse, where Jimmy's and Eminem's own trajectories mix. The rapper revealed that he wrote the lyrics for 'Lose Yourself' while alternating between recording the movie and looking after his children. In 2014, a demo version of the song was released on Shady Records' SHADY XV compilation, with the same rhythm and tone, but quite different lyrics to the original version.

'Lose Yourself' was a commercial success, reaching number one in 20 countries, including the USA, where it stayed at the top for 12 weeks. It was the first Eminem song to reach the top of the charts in the US and became the third movie soundtrack song with the longest stay at number one, behind 'I Will Always Love You' and 'End Of The Road'. By 2022, the song had already achieved 13 platinum certifications in the USA.

The song also had a major cultural impact and was praised by critics, winning two Grammys and becoming the first rap song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. Eminem didn't attend the Oscar ceremony because he didn't think he would win, but he made amends by performing the song at the 2020 awards. The track has been used in Apple commercials to promote iTunes and the iPod, as well as appearing in Chrysler's 2011 ad, 'Born of Fire'. In 2021, Eminem opened a restaurant in Detroit called 'Mom's Spaghetti', a reference to one of the song's most famous verses, which became a meme.

Lyrically, the intensity and rawness of the emotions expressed in the song are amplified by Eminem's own trajectory, marked by a difficult childhood, drug problems, and the constant struggle to prove his worth as an artist. In this way, 'Lose Yourself' is more than a song: it's a manifesto about the importance of pursuing one's dreams with tenacity and the courage to face one's fears. The song has become a symbol of inspiration for many who face challenges and seek the strength to overcome them, consolidating Eminem's legacy not only as an artist but as an icon of resilience and determination.