John Janick’s Interscope continued a most impressive award-winning hot streak at the 92nd annual Academy Awards on 2/9, nabbing an Oscar for Best Original Song for the Elton John/Bernie Taupin-penned “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” from the Rocketman soundtrack. This is the second consecutive Best Song trophy for the label, which took home Best Original Song honors for “Shallow” from the A Star Is Born soundtrack in 2019.
All this comes on the heels of an historic Grammy sweep by Darkroom/Interscope artist Billie Eilish, who appeared on the Oscars to perform an understated but emotive rendition of The Beatles’ “Yesterday” with brother FINNEAS for the In Memoriam segment.
Prior Oscar Best Original Song wins for Interscope include La La Land’s “City of Stars” in 2017, "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire in 2009 and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” in 2003—which the star delivered on this year’s show in a surprise performance that drew a standing ovation from the celebrity-packed crowd. The modern-day classic took over #1 at iTunes while the show was still on the air and remained there for several days afterward. The thrilling performance also triggered the return of Em’s latest LP, Music to Be Murdered By, to the top of the iTunes albums chart.
EVP of Film and TV Marketing Tony Seyler “was running point on all of it,” Janick told Variety about Eminem’s insertion into the show, adding that it was a delicate proposition because, “if it leaks, then he’s probably not going to do it. We were happy to see it happen—the last thing we wanted to do is for it to fall apart.”
As always, Janick and Vice-Chairman/marketing wizard Steve Berman were the puppet masters, pulling the appropriate strings behind the scenes, which led to a truly memorable moment in music-TV annals.
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
