The Oscars are having a hell of a time this year. They have no host after the drama surrounding Kevin Hart, and literally no one else wanted the job. Then, the Academy made the choice to cut a few categories from the televised broadcast, enraging some of the most powerful people in the land. And so, without any true talent to anchor the festivities, the Academy has started compiling a host of musicians to perform songs from this year's film to make the three hours of television worth watching. Gaga and Bradley will be there (but no Jackson Maine). Queen will be there with Adam Lambert. Midler and Hudson. Welch and Rawlings.
But as many suspected the Oscars would score every Best Song nominee, the question still remained: Would they get Kendrick Lamar and SZA to perform "All the Stars" from the Black Panther soundtrack?
Now, that answer is officially: No.
Variety has confirmed that Lamar and SZA will not be part of the show, and the song will not be be performed by any other artists. "All the Stars" is the only Oscar-nominated song that will not be performed on Sunday.
And it doesn't come as much of a surprise, either.
Lamar and SZA have been absent from any award shows this season. Despite being nominated for multiple Grammys—including Album of the Year—Lamar did not show up to the event.
After multiple snubs by the Grammys, Lamar's disdain for any and all award shows should be entirely expected.
This is a huge blow to the Oscars, whose big night is suddenly looking quite a bit less enjoyable.
Matt Miller is a Brooklyn-based culture/lifestyle writer and music critic whose work has appeared in Esquire, Forbes, The Denver Post, and documentaries.
