AllRespect.com // Eminem Video Throwback: 'Lose Yourself,' 2002

Posted on 2009-04-03 03:00:10
Artist/band(s): Eminem [FB]

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608434/20090402/eminem.jhtml

In anticipation of Em's 'We Made You' clip, we're looking back at his most memorable videos.By Jayson Rodriguez

Eminem in the "Lose Yourself" videoPhoto: Interscope

As much of an impact as Eminem has made in his career — from bringing authenticity to melanin-deprived MCs to selling tons of records to introducing 50 Cent to a mainstream audience — one indisputable contribution the Shady one has provided is his zeal for crafting music videos.

Now, as Em polishes up his forthcoming clip for "We Made You," set to debut Tuesday, MTV News is talking a look back — one by one — at the Detroit rapper's most memorable videos.

In 2002, he released "Lose Yourself." The video is closely associated with the movie "8 Mile," both of which were filmed in Eminem's old Detroit neighborhood. The video is largely a performance clip interspersed with scenes from the film and some original scripted moments with daughter Hailie Jade and his crew, D-12.

In an interview with MTV News in 2002 on the "Lose Yourself" set, Em explained his desire to make the movie and video an accurate portrayal of his hometown.

"There's some things that were taken out of my real life story," he said of the production. "Some things that I didn't even discuss on record. I've had a lot of stuff happen in my life that not everyone knows about. I can't tell everything in my music. So there are some instances that are taken out of my life and there are some that are completely fictional and just made up. 'Cause I'm not playing me in the movie, but I'm playing someone like me. He's gotta be like me. He comes from this area, he grew up on 8 Mile. Both sides of the fences. He's seen everything, he's lived everything.

Heading into the release of the film, there was some buzz that the rapper might be nominated for an Oscar for his performance. But he downplayed the hype and repeated his desire to be true to his roots — although he couldn't help but take a dig at Steely Dan, the group that beat him out for an Album of the Year Grammy.

"I'm not looking for Oscar buzz," Em said with a smile. "It could or couldn't. Steely Dan beat me out one year for a Grammy. So, you know? Anyway. Whatever comes with it, I'll take. But I'm not looking for that. I was looking to make an authentic movie about the place I grew up. Not necessarily about me, but the authenticity and significance. I think every city has its own 8 Mile Road or places like it."

The blue-collar clip matched Detroit's gritty appeal. The song won a 2003 VMA for Best Video From a Film and has been likened to the hip-hop version of the "Rocky" song "Eye of the Tiger." In the same way the Sylvester Stallone film became a symbol for Philadelphia, "Lose Yourself" has come to define the spirit of the D.

Eminem certainly accomplished his goal.

"I wanted to blow up Detroit, that's what I wanted to do," he said. "If I ain't done it by now, goddamnit, let me leave."

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