Raphael Saadiq is navigating a complex moment. Fresh off an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for “I Lied to You” from the film Sinners, the celebrated musician and producer is simultaneously mourning personal losses and preparing for a new chapter as a filmmaker.
The nomination, announced on , recognizes Saadiq’s collaboration with Ludwig Göransson on a track performed by Miles Caton within the film. However, the recognition arrives after a particularly difficult for Saadiq, marked by the deaths of his brother and D’Wayne Wiggins, co-founder of the group Tony! Toni! Toné!, as well as his close friend and fellow artist D’Angelo.
“It’s still affecting me a lot,” Saadiq shared in a recent interview. “I had a dream about my brother this morning. Losing my brother and also my good friend Michael Archer, D’Angelo — it put a battery in my back.” He described the experience of grieving as a process that has, paradoxically, fueled his creative energy. “It’s sometimes hard for me to listen to D’Angelo’s music. When you meet somebody at the beginning of their career and you’re very tight and you understand each other, you just really miss them. I feel like I am talking to them through spirit and energy.”
Saadiq views his work on Sinners and the nomination that followed, as a way to honor those he’s lost and to solidify his artistic identity. “Working on all this stuff has been the sweeter part, making it all make sense — who I am as a man, and a friend, and a brother. That’s what’s prepared me to work on Sinners, to work with Ludwig and Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan.” He emphasized his collaborative spirit, stating, “I’ve always been a team player.”
The journey of “I Lied to You” from its initial conception to its final form is a testament to that collaborative process. Originally conceived as a blues song, the track evolved through Göransson’s contributions to incorporate a broader range of Black musical traditions, extending into hip-hop. Saadiq noted the powerful impact of the song’s placement within the film, highlighting how it resonates with the narrative.
Beyond the Oscar campaign, Saadiq is also preparing to step behind the camera as a director. He recently revealed plans to make his directorial debut with a new documentary. Details surrounding the project remain scarce, but the announcement signals a broadening of Saadiq’s creative ambitions.
Saadiq’s current focus is on campaigning for the Oscar, describing the experience as “special.” He was recently seen on the red carpet at THR’s Nominees Night discussing the campaign. This nomination arrives at a pivotal moment for Saadiq, representing both a culmination of his established career and a launchpad for new artistic endeavors.
The success of “I Lied to You” and the recognition it has received underscore Saadiq’s enduring influence on contemporary music. His ability to blend tradition with innovation, and to draw from a deep well of personal experience, continues to resonate with audiences and peers alike. The nomination is a validation of his commitment to respecting the history of music, as he himself stated, “Respecting the history of all types of music pays off.”
As Saadiq navigates the awards season and prepares for his directorial debut, he carries with him the weight of his losses and the inspiration they provide. His journey is a reminder of the power of art to heal, to connect, and to honor the legacies of those who have come before.
