Eminem has surprised fans with the release of a previously unheard track titled “Everybody’s Looking At Me,” featured on the soundtrack for the new documentary Stans. The song is produced by longtime collaborator Dr. Dre and carries deep ties to one of the most important eras of Em’s career.
The first verse of the track dates back to a 2002 Funkmaster Flex freestyle. Eminem later expanded the verse into a full song, but it never saw an official release until now. An early version also included a guest verse from Proof, Em’s late best friend and fellow D12 member, though that part does not appear on the soundtrack version.
Evidence suggests the track was originally intended for The Eminem Show. A snippet of it can be heard faintly on “The Kiss (Skit),” which aligns with the album’s 2002 timeline.
On the song, Eminem reflects on one of his most memorable moments in music history, his 2001 Grammy Awards performance alongside Elton John. He directly references the controversy around that appearance, rapping: “Oh God, he’s on stage with Elton John! He’s got a motherf***ing pink GLAAD T-Shirt on, huggin’ a homosexual flippin’ the cameras off / But at the Grammys? Thought Slim hated the Grammys / No, I said, ‘You think I give a damn about a Grammy?’ / You never answered me.”
The Stans documentary dives into Eminem’s career and the unique, sometimes obsessive relationship between him and his fans. During the film, Em revealed that he once attempted to buy back his childhood home before it was demolished. His effort failed because the house had already been condemned by authorities and later torn down.
Eminem made a surprise appearance at the film’s premiere in New York, where he spoke about the impact of his music and the meaning behind the documentary. “Let me tell you why this shit is crazy to me. Because, when I was writing the song ‘Stan,’ I think I was just understanding the impact that my music was having on some people. And it’s so crazy to me to look at, over my career, just the fact that I was able to impact people,” he said.
He continued by thanking fans directly. “When I was writing this song I didn’t understand the impact my music was having on people at the time and it was really surreal to me, and it’s still surreal to this day to look out here and see all you and the fact that my music has inspired you. This film is a thank you to all of you for sticking by me for this whole f***ing time.”
With “Everybody’s Looking At Me,” fans are given not only a lost piece of The Eminem Show era but also another glimpse into how Eminem’s music has shaped his career and connected with millions worldwide.
