Watch Slash, Wolfgang Van Halen Perform ‘I’m Just Ken’ At Oscars

Posted on March 11, 2024

The 2024 Academy Awards featured a very cool rock moment from one of the ‘Barbie’ Best Original Song nominees.

slash gnr guns n roses
INDIO, CA – APRIL 16: Musician Slash of Guns N’ Roses performs onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)

Did you know “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie featured some serious rock muscle in the studio? Slash from Guns N’ Roses played lead guitar, Wolfgang Van Halen from Mammoth WVH handled rhythm guitar, and Josh Freese of Foo Fighters sat behind the drum kit. That’s pretty much a supergroup right there!

Well, the Academy Awards ceremony usually includes a performance for each Best Original Song nominee. “I’m Just Ken” was nominated; and Slash and Wolfgang were both on hand to perform alongside Ryan Gosling! Watch it below.

Unfortunately for “I’m Just Ken”, its Barbie soundtrack sibling “What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish won the Best Original Song category at this year’s Oscars.

Playlist