Today (Feb. 23), executive producers and show runners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner announced that Rihanna will be performing “Lift Me Up” at the 2023 Oscars.
“Lift Me Up” was featured in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ‘s official soundtrack as a heartfelt tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. The song, which was released in October of 2022, marked Rihanna’s first solo project since her 2016 studio album, ANTI. It peaked at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Rihanna co-wrote the song with filmmaker Ryan Coogler and Afrobeats singer Tems.
As previously reported by HOT 97, the project also gave Rihanna and Tems their first Oscar nomination and is competing in the Original Song category. “Life Me Up” was nominated alongside “Hold My Hand” by Lady Gaga for Top Gun: Maverick, “Applause” by Diane Warren from Tell It Like a Woman, “This Is A Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once, and “Naatu Naatu” from RRR.
The 95th Academy Awards ceremony, which will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, is set to take place on Sunday, March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. It was air LIVE at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.