Ludwig Göransson & Raphael Saadiq nominated at 98th Academy Awards

Composer and USC Thornton Screen Scoring alumnus Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) has been nominated for two Oscars at the 98th Academy Awards: Best Original Score for Sinners (written, directed & produced by USC School of Cinematic Arts alumnus Ryan Coogler) and Best Original Song for “I Lied to You,” co-written with Thornton Creative Vanguard Artist Raphael Saadiq. The nominations were announced on the morning of Thursday, January 22nd.

Göransson previously won the Oscar for Best Original Score for Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther (2019) and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023), as well as being nominated for Best Original Song for “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).

Saadiq has earned a prior Oscar nomination for his song “Mighty River” from Mudbound (2018).The 98th Academy Awards will air live on March 15th at 4 p.m. on ABC, with streaming available on Hulu following the ceremony.

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Photo illustration based on frame from live performance of “I Lied to You” by Ludwig Göransson and Raphael Saadiq on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) – January 13th, 2026.