Oscars 2024: Slash performs ‘I’m Just Ken’ with Ryan Gosling
At the Oscars 2024 in Los Angeles on March 10th, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash made a surprise appearance with Ryan Gosling to perform ‘I’m Just Ken’ from the Barbie soundtrack.
The hit track is one of two Barbie songs that have earned nominations at the Oscars 2024 for ‘Best Original Song’ alongside ‘What Was I Made For?’ by Billie Eilish, which she performed at the ceremony with her brother and collaborator, Finneas.
Elsewhere in the ‘Best Original Song’ category are ‘The Fire Inside’ from Flamin’ Hot, ‘It Never Went Away’ from American Symphony and Killers of the Flower Moon’s ‘Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)’.
Before the song was nominated, Gosling revealed his hesitation about performing at award shows. “Well, I haven’t been invited,” he told W Magazine. “And I wasn’t thinking about it until now, and now it’s all I’m going to think about.”
Gosling continued, “Do you get paid to sing at the Oscars? Do you have to drive yourself? What kind of scratch is involved? They pick you up at least, right?”
Furthermore, Mark Ronson, who produced the track, claimed he would only be willing to perform ‘I’m Just Ken’ at the Academy Awards if Gosling obliged. “I think if Ryan doesn’t do it, then we’re not doing it,” he remarked.
Ronson also discussed his plans to make more music with Gosling, stating: “Ryan… he’s got amazing taste and great ideas and he’s an extremely funny and talented musician and singer.” He concluded, “I would love to make more music.”
Slash contributed lead guitar to the original recording of ‘I’m Just Ken’ alongside other notable musicians such as Wolfgang Van Halen, Andrew Wyatt and Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese.
Watch Gosling and Slash perform at the Academy Awards below.
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