By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Rihanna is following her Super Bowl appearance with another big date. The producers of the upcoming Oscars telecast annouced last week that she will sing “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” “Lift Me Up,” with music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Göransson and lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler, is nominated for original song. It is the Barbadian superstar’s first Oscar nomination. The song, which was also nominated for best song at the Golden Globes, also reached number two on Billboard’s Hot 100.
“Wakanda Forever” is up for five Oscars, including best supporting actress for Angela Bassett for her role as Queen Ramonda.
Rihanna welcomed her first child, a baby boy, with rapper A$AP Rocky last May.
Among Oscar competitors that Rihanna faces is Lady Gaga, who was nominated for “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick.” Gaga co-wrote the song with BloodPop and it’s her fourth nomination; she won an Oscar in 2019 for “Shallow” with Bradley Cooper.
Another nominee is Diane Warren, who received her 14th Oscar nomination through her song “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman.” The prolific songwriter was recognized with an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards last year.
Other best original song nominees are M.M. Keeravaani’s “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR,” which was written by Chandrabose, and “This Is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The latter track was created by Mitski, David Byrne and Ryan Lott, wh o along with his band Son Lux was also nominated for best original score.
The 95th Oscar Awards will air March 12 on ABC-TV, locally WKRN-2,
