Eminem won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Lose Yourself.”
The song was written for Eminem’s semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile, in which he played aspiring Detroit rapper Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith. Eminem wrote the lyrics with Jeff Bass and Luis Resto, and the track became the film’s central musical statement. Its urgent piano figure and narrative about a high-pressure rap battle helped it reach audiences beyond hip hop.
At the 75th Academy Awards, held on March 23, 2003, “Lose Yourself” won Best Original Song. Eminem did not attend the ceremony, so Luis Resto accepted the award. The victory made it the first hip-hop song to win that Oscar.
The song also won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song and Best Male Rap Solo Performance. The Oscar category honors the song itself, not the film’s score or Eminem’s acting.