Oscars 2023: Tems loses Best Original Song award to 'RRR'

Tems has failed to take home a win at the ongoing 95th edition of the Academy Awards.

She was nominated for her contribution as a songwriter on 'Lift Me Up,' one of the songs on Marvel's 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'.

The Nigerian singer was nominated alongside 'Applause' from 'Tell It like a Woman' (Diane Warren), 'Hold My Hand' from 'Top Gun Maverick' (Lady Gaga and BloodPop), 'This Is a Life' from 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski).

Tems lost the Oscar for Best Original Song to 'Naatu Naatu' from 'RRR', which is composed by MM Keeravani, with lyrics by Chandrabose and vocals by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava.

Best original song The nominees:"Applause" — Diane Warren ("Tell It Like a Woman")"Hold My Hand" — Lady Gaga and BloodPop ("Top Gun: Maverick")"Lift Me Up" — Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Goransson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever")"Naatu Naatu" — Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose ("RRR")"This Is a Life" — Music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne, and Mitski; Lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne ("Everything Everywhere All at Once")Who will win: "Naatu Naatu" — Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyrics by Chandrabose ("RRR")One of the highlights of movie watching for us last year was seeing "Naatu Naatu" performed in "RRR." The song and the dance number is what should be championed by this category. It proves the prize shouldn't always go to a chart-topping song from a movie.Who should win: "Naatu Naatu" Who could surprise us: "Lift Me Up" — Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Goransson; Lyrics by Tems and Ryan Coogler ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever")Now, if the Academy voters are gong to play it safe, they will likely go with this song. It's great and delivers an emotionally touching end to "Wakanda Forever." (But it's no "Naatu Naatu.") Business Insider USA

While accepting his award, Keeravani sang a self-composed song in honour of Rajamouli, and the entire nation of India.

This is the song's third award. Earlier this year, Naatu Naatu won in the same category at the Golden Globes, Best Song at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Hollywood Critics Association.

Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava performed the award winning song on the Oscars stage while Rihanna delivered a short, moving rendition of the Black Panther theme song.