We can all remember the moment like it was yesterday. Jimmy's won the first two rounds of the most important rap battle of his life, but now he's squaring up to Papa Doc. That's right, the one who held him at gunpoint and threatened to kill him. The big dog.
Wee Jim's stood there in his little grey vest, trying to give off the impression that he's got this and he's not scared - but deep down those palms are sweaty. The knees week, arms heavy. You know the rest - basically he's absolutely shitting it.
But he smashes it, doesn't he? Not only does Jimmy absolutely own his opponent, he also spits a load of self-deprecating bars to call out all of his own flaws, leaving Papa Doc with little else to rap about. Clever, clever move.
Believe it or not, that moment first hit cinemas 16 years ago - as Eminem reminded us with an 8 Mile throwback shot.
Advert
Sharing a photo of Jimmy - aka B-Rabbit - flipping off, Eminem wrote: "B-Rabbit in the house. #TBT Throwback to 16 years ago today #8mile."
Following its release on 8 November 2002, 8 Mile became an instant hit - commercially and, slightly surprisingly, critically, with many reviewers commending Eminem on his film debut.
In fact, not only was the film itself a success, so, too, was the soundtrack. 'Lose Yourself' was the first rap song to ever win an Academy Award - Eminem was reportedly so unconvinced that it'd win, that he didn't even bother showing up.
Advert
According to South Pawer, he said: "Actually, I was sleeping that night. I just felt like I had no chance of winning because, you know, when I heard I was nominated, I thought that was for actors.
"I was not sure what exactly Grammy or Oscar meant, what a certain award meant... so even MTV awards, all that stuff, I just didn't know what awards meant and this particular award."
He continued: "I think I got it confused when they said about Oscar. They were talking about the song but I was like, 'Yeah, but isn't there other movies that got rock songs and stuff like that?'
"At that point in my life, I always thought, like, rap never gets a fair shake on anything. That was one of the reasons I didn't go for the first Grammys I was invited to, because I pretty much protested it. I didn't understand why there was a rap category and best album category and I couldn't understand why rap album can not be in the best album category."
Advert
Oh ye of little faith, Slim.
Featured Image Credit: Universal
Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Music, US Entertainment, Eminem
