Earlier today (Jan. 22) the nominees for the 2019 Oscars were announced, and to the delight of many Marvel’s Black Panther became the first superhero film to receive a nod for Best Picture (it also earned seven total nominations in a variety of categories, including Best Costume Design and Best Production Design). However, the film also gave a pair of hip hop-centric musicians their first chances to win an Academy Award as well.
Kendrick Lamar — who already leads all 2019 GRAMMY nominees — and SZA were nominated in the Best Original Song category, for “All The Stars.” Meanwhile, Ludwig Göransson — who has frequently worked with Donald Glover/Childish Gambino, and produced his albums Camp, because the internet and Awaken, My Love! — earned a nod for Best Original Score.
Should Kendrick and SZA win, they would follow in the footsteps of Eminem (2002, “Lose Yourself”), Frayser Boy, Juicy J and DJ Paul (2005, “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp”) and Common and John Legend (2014, “Glory”) as the fourth hip hop artists to win an Academy Award. Meanwhile, Ludwig would be the first hip hop-centric composer to win Best Original Score.
The 91st Academy Awards will on February 24th.
