The Academy Awards have announced its 2023 shortlist for Best Original Song. Rihanna, The Weeknd, Jazmine Sullivan and Givēon are among the 15 artists to have original motion picture recordings in the running to be nominated at the 95th Oscars.
“Lift Me Up,” the lead single from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was performed by Rihanna. She co-wrote the emotional ballad with Tems, Ludwig Göransson and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler.
It was written as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed King T’Challa/Black Panther in the 2018 film.
Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” also nominated for a Golden Globe, scored her multiple chart-toppers on Billboard, including its Adult R&B Airplay chart, which marks her first No. 1 on that list.
The Weeknd’s “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” from Avatar: The Way of Water is shortlisted.
The Canadian icon gets a co-songwriting credit on the declaration of family and devotion, which Swedish House Mafia and Simon Franglen co-produced.
If The Weeknd is nominated, it will mark his second time. He was previously up for “Earned It,” lifted from Fifty Shades of Grey, at the 88th Oscars in 2015.
Sullivan is a leading contender for “Stand Up” taken from Till. She co-wrote the powerful record with Oscar-winning producer D’Mile. He also produced it.
“A passionate artist and activist, Jazmine delivers an anthem for justice and hope; one that ignites a fire to rise up for all people whose lives have been senselessly cut short because of America’s deep rooted and white supremacy,” shared Till director Chinonye Chukwu.
Givēon, whose debut album Give or Take was named one of Rated R&B’s Best R&B Albums of 2022, could achieve his biggest honor to date.
His song, “Time,” taken from the Amsterdam soundtrack, is an early Best Original Song contender.
Drake and Daniel Pemberton co-wrote the somber tune with Givēon.
“I grew up listening and studying Frank Sinatra’s music, so I was excited to convey my admiration while channeling the feel of this film through that sound. Being a part of this incredible record has granted me the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone,” Givēon shared.
Here is the list of recordings shortlisted for Best Original Song:
Givēon — “Time” from Amsterdam
The Weeknd — “Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength)” from Avatar: The Way of Water
Rihanna — “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Son Lux — “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once
Gregory Mann — “Ciao Papa” from Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Rita Wilson and Sebastián Yatra — “Til You’re Home” from A Man Called Otto
Rahul Sipligunj, Kaala Bhairava and M.M. Keeravani — “Naatu Naatu” from RRR
Selena Gomez — “My Mind & Me” from Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me
Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and The Spirited Ensemble — “Good Afternoon” from Spirited
Sofia Carson — “Applause” from Tell It like a Woman
Jazmine Sullivan — “Stand Up” from Till
Lady Gaga — “Hold My Hand” from Top Gun: Maverick
J. Ralph and Norah Jones — “Dust & Ash” from The Voice of Dust and Ash
Taylor Swift — “Carolina” from Where the Crawdads Sing
LCD Soundsystem — “New Body Rhumba” from White Noise
Nominations for the 95th Oscars will be revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. The ceremony airs Sunday, March 12, 2023, at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on ABC.