Rihanna Receives Oscar-Worthy Buzz For Emotional Comeback Single “Lift Me Up”
Rihanna has made her return to music with new single “Lift Me Up,” which will appear on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Rihanna has entered the Oscar conversation. On Friday, the music icon released her long-awaited comeback single “Lift Me Up,” which will appear on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Co-written by Rihanna, Tems, Ludwig Göransson and Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler, the song is both a tribute to Tems’ deceased loved ones and “the extraordinary life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman,” who portrayed King T’Challa/Black Panther.
“After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them,” said Tems in a statement. “Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”
🙅🏾♀️… pic.twitter.com/AgWyzAtc1F
— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 28, 2022
tonight…
MIDNIGHT EST. #LiftMeUp pic.twitter.com/1y8yRjh7GM— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 27, 2022
The song is Rihanna’s first new single in six years. And since the song’s release on Friday (October 28), Vanity Fair has speculated potential a Best Original Song nomination at the 95th Academy Awards next March. All nominations for the awards ceremony will be announced on Tuesday, January 24.
According to @VanityFair , Rihanna's 'Lift Me Up' and Lady Gaga's 'Hold My Hand' are at the top of the list of possible winners of the "Best Original Song" category at the 2023 Oscars. pic.twitter.com/ESyYbXtOjz
— Rihanna Charts (@RFentyCharts) October 26, 2022
Will WAKANDA FOREVER earn 7 Oscar noms like the original? Potentially. Returning winners Ruth Carter (costumes) and Hannah Beachler (production design) have really outdone themselves and are sure things. I expect the Rihanna song and the sound team will be nominated, too…
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) October 27, 2022
Give Rihanna the Oscar already. Nothing is coming close to this one if you ask me.
— BSL 🎃 🔪 (@bigscreenleaks) October 28, 2022
Along with “Lift Me Up,” a second song from Bad Gal Rih will grace the Wakanda Forever soundtrack, titled “Born Again,” co-written by her longtime collaborators The-Dream and James Fauntleroy.
.@rihanna's upcoming song "Born Again" from #WakandaForever was co-written by Rihanna with The-Dream and James Fauntleroy. pic.twitter.com/peoT4vn2UD
— FentyStats (@FentyStats) October 27, 2022
Rihanna fans, rejoice! You're getting TWO new songs with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. They're called Lift Me Up and Born Again and they both play during the credits.
— Lando (@orlandoenelcine) October 27, 2022
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives in theaters on November 11. Listen to “Lift Me Up” below.