By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Los Angeles, The 98th Academy Awards witnessed a collision of cinematic intensity and soulful musicality on Sunday night, as the Dolby Theatre was transformed into a flickering tableau of the American South. In what is already being hailed as one of the most ambitious musical segments in the ceremony’s history, Miles Caton, the breakout star of Ryan Coogler’s gothic epic Sinners, joined forces with legendary producer and musician Raphael Saadiq to perform their Academy Award-nominated track, “I Lied to You.” The performance was not merely a promotional spotlight for the film but a sprawling, multi-generational celebration of the blues, featuring a lineup of guest artists that read like a "who’s who" of contemporary and classic American music.
The stage design for the evening eschewed the typical glitz of Hollywood for a grounded, evocative aesthetic. The production team recreated the interior of the pivotal barn set piece from Sinners, complete with weathered wood textures and a canopy of warm string lights that cast long, dramatic shadows across the performers. The visual storytelling began immediately, with dancers dressed in meticulous period-accurate clothing from the film’s mid-century setting. Their choreography, a blend of traditional folk movement and modern interpretive dance, was anchored by the presence of the trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland. Copeland’s movements provided a graceful, ethereal counterpoint to the grit of the music, weaving through the musicians as they built a wall of sound that felt both ancient and urgent.
At the center of this storm were Saadiq and Caton, both wielding guitars and trading vocal duties with a chemistry that mirrored their onscreen collaboration. “I Lied to You,” a song that explores themes of deception, survival, and the weight of the past, served as the perfect vehicle for their combined talents. Saadiq, a veteran of the industry known for his work with Tony! Toni! Toné! and his extensive solo career, brought a polished yet soulful precision to the arrangement. Caton, whose performance in Sinners has garnered him a Best Actor nomination, proved that his musical abilities are just as formidable as his dramatic range, delivering a raw, guttural vocal performance that resonated throughout the hall.
The performance reached a crescendo when the duo was joined by a "supergroup" of blues and rock luminaries. The inclusion of Buddy Guy, a living legend of the Chicago blues scene, felt like a symbolic passing of the torch. At 89 years old, Guy’s guitar work remains as sharp and stinging as ever, providing a masterclass in phrasing during his brief but electrifying solo. Beside him stood Brittany Howard, the powerhouse vocalist of Alabama Shakes fame, whose raspy, sky-shaking belts added a layer of spiritual intensity to the chorus.
The diversity of the ensemble spoke to the wide-reaching influence of the blues. Shaboozey, who has spent the last year blurring the lines between country, hip-hop, and rock, brought a modern Americana sensibility to the stage. He was flanked by two of the most celebrated young guitarists in the world: Eric Gales and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. The sight of Gales’ fluid, upside-down playing style alongside Ingram’s soulful, technically staggering runs created a sonic tapestry that honored the history of the instrument while pushing it into the future. The collective energy of the group turned the Academy Awards stage into a revival tent, momentarily transcending the formal atmosphere of the night.
Behind the scenes, the success of “I Lied to You” is a testament to the creative partnership between Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson. Göransson, a perennial favorite at the Oscars, has achieved a rare feat this year by being the only artist nominated in both the Best Original Song and Best Original Score categories. His work on Sinners has been praised for its ability to blend traditional orchestral elements with the swampy, atmospheric textures of the Delta blues, and “I Lied to You” serves as the emotional anchor of that soundscape. The song faces stiff competition in a category that reflects the eclectic nature of modern film music. Among the other nominees are Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner for their haunting track “Train Dreams” from the film of the same name, as well as the high-energy pop anthem “Golden” from the cult hit KPop Demon Hunters, performed by Rei Ami, Audrey Nuna, and EJAE. The latter group is also scheduled to perform later in the evening, promising a stark contrast to the roots-heavy presentation of the Sinners camp.
The stakes for the evening are particularly high for the Sinners team. The film arrived at the 2026 Academy Awards with a record-breaking 16 nominations, a tally that places it among the most decorated films in the history of the Academy. With nods for Best Picture, Best Director for Ryan Coogler, and Best Screenplay, the film entered the night as the projected frontrunner. However, the early portion of the ceremony proved to be a nail-biter for the production. Despite its critical acclaim and technical prowess, Sinners had failed to secure a win in the craft categories presented during the first hour of the telecast. The "I Lied to You" performance seemed to serve as a reminder to the voters and the audience of the film’s immense cultural footprint and the sheer talent involved in its creation.
Michael B. Jordan, who anchors the film alongside Caton, was seen in the front row visibly moved by the performance. Jordan’s portrayal of a man caught between his community and his secrets has been widely cited as a career-best, and the musical performance underscored the emotional stakes of his character’s journey. The film’s narrative, which tackles the complexities of sin and redemption within a high-stakes genre framework, has clearly resonated with a broad audience, and the live rendition of the theme song acted as a visceral distillation of those themes.
As the final notes of the performance faded, the Dolby Theatre erupted in a standing ovation that lasted well into the commercial break. It was a moment that transcended the competitive nature of the awards season, focusing instead on the power of collaboration and the enduring relevance of the blues. By bringing together artists from different generations and genres—from the foundational licks of Buddy Guy to the contemporary genre-mashing of Shaboozey—Saadiq and Caton created a performance that felt like a definitive statement on the state of American music in 2026.
While the final tally of awards for Sinners remains to be seen, the impact of its musical contribution is undeniable. The collaboration between Saadiq and Göransson has not only produced a standout track for the film but has also provided a platform for a diverse array of musicians to showcase their craft on the world’s biggest stage. As the ceremony continues, the industry will be watching closely to see if the momentum from this performance translates into wins for the film’s major categories. Regardless of the outcome, the image of a barn filled with string lights, blues legends, and the haunting melody of “I Lied to You” will likely remain the defining image of the 2026 Oscars. For Miles Caton, the night is a dual celebration of his rise as a leading man and his undeniable talent as a musician, marking a new chapter in a career that shows no signs of slowing down. For the audience, it was a rare opportunity to see a group of masters at work, reminding everyone that even in the high-tech world of modern cinema, there is no substitute for the raw power of a guitar, a voice, and a story told with conviction.