Guest contributor Tarcia Bush talks to Raphael Saadiq about the whirlwind creation of “I Lied to You,” the blues-driven heart of Sinners, and the growing awards buzz surrounding the soundtrack.
Raphael Saadiq didn’t just contribute to Sinners: He helped shape one of the most soul-stirring soundtracks of the year. I was hooked on Hamilton for years (no disrespect to Alexander, that soundtrack still lives rent-free in my head), but Sinners pushed its way to the top of my playlist.
Saadiq shared how the project landed in his lap just before filming began. Ryan Coogler reached out, walked him through the story, and laid out the film’s spiritual and musical DNA.
“Anytime I get a call from Ryan, I know it’s going to be good,” Saadiq told me. “He does great work.” Composer Ludwig Göransson also jumped in, explaining the emotional thread and the musical layers the film needed.
The Creation of Sinners Song “I Lied to You”
What Saadiq didn’t expect was being asked to create “I Lied to You” immediately.
“They said, ‘We need you to do it… like today,’” he laughed. “So, we picked up the guitars and jammed for about two hours.” The urgency and rawness helped the song flow naturally.
He also opened up about why Sammie’s struggle hit home. “I grew up with the blues and the Baptist church,” he said. “So, when they explained the character, I understood it right away.”
When he finally watched the scene where Sammie’s singing pierces the veil, that breathtaking fusion of blues, jazz, hip hop, funk, and spirit, Saadiq was blown away.
“I was lost in it,” he told me. “Seeing all those genres come together like that… it was everything.”
Warner Bros. has officially submitted “I Lied to You” as one of its two songs for Oscar consideration. And as Saadiq put it, “It always feels good to be recognized for something you love.”
Watch my full interview with Saadiq below!
