The “Snooze” singer said she wanted to deliver the tender rendition of Slim Shady’s 2002 hip-hop classic “for mental health”

SZA performing compton 12 19 23

SZA performs in Compton, California in December 2023. Photo: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty

SZA is stepping into new territory with a soulful rendition of an Eminem classic.

On Thursday, May 30, the SOS singer, 34, shared a stripped-down cover of the Encore rapper’s 2002 hit “Lose Yourself” on Instagram.

With stirring vocals over an intimate piano drop, the R&B star crooned the song’s first verse before sliding into its famous chorus, sweetly singing, “You better lose yourself in the music / The moment, you own it, you better never let it go / You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow / This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.”

“U ever just cover Eminem on some tender s— for feels?” SZA captioned the audio clip, adding of the cover, “(Not on a project Just for mental health🧘🏾‍♀️ ).”

The “Kill Bill” singer’s rendition got immediate praise from fans — and even caught the attention of Eminem, 51, who commented on her post with a wide-eyed emoji.

SZA performing vancouver 03 19 23

SZA performs on stage during her ‘The SOS North American Tour’ at Rogers Arena on March 19, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia.Andrew Chin/Getty

Eminem released “Lose Yourself” over two decades ago as part of the soundtrack for his semi-autobiographical movie, 8 Mile, in which he made his big-screen debut. The single became the rap artist’s first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper and won two Grammys for best rap song and best male rap solo performance in 2004. It also won an Academy Award in 2003 for best original song.

SZA’s Eminem cover arrives on the heels of the hip-hop star’s May 31 single, “Houdini,” which appears on his forthcoming album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). A music video for the track arrived the same day, echoing comic book-style callbacks from “Without Me,” another 2002 hit from the hip-hop star.

Before releasing “Houdini,” Eminem shared an Instagram clip featuring magician David Blaine, in which he called the performer on FaceTime to ask for help.

Inductee Eminem performs on stage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Eminem performs on stage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

“What I was wondering is like, how far can we go with this magic? Like, can we do like a stunt or something?” the rapper says, to which Blaine replies by downing a glass of wine before chomping on it.

Eminem then says, “Well, for my last trick, I’m gonna make my career disappear,” before abruptly hanging up the phone.

The stunt is the rapper’s latest in his theatrical album campaign, which has so far included a fake obituary for his alter ego, Slim Shady, as a nod to the upcoming project’s theme.

The obit, which appeared in the Detroit Free Press earlier this month, stated, ​​“Ultimately, the very things that seemed to be the tools he used became calling cards that defined an existence that could only come to a sudden and horrific end. His complex and tortured existence has come to a close, and the legacy he leaves behind is no closer to resolution than the manner in which this character departed this world.”