The film 'Sinners', directed by Ryan Coogler, not only made history by becoming the film with the most Oscar nominations in the history of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, but also placed the blues at the center of contemporary cultural conversation. In a context dominated by pop, hip-hop, and digital platforms, the soundtrack emerges as a phenomenon capable of revitalizing one of the foundational genres of American popular music. Set in the Mississippi Delta of the 1930s, 'Sinners' is a supernatural thriller that finds its true narrative axis in music. To achieve this, the team relocated to New Orleans for months, where musicians and actors worked side-by-side, often recording live performances during filming. The film's climax—and its cultural impact—is 'I Lied to You', an original song performed by Miles Caton, who portrays Sammie, a young blues prodigy. The piece, nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song, condenses the evolution of Black American music into just a few minutes: from rural blues to rock, from funk to hip-hop, traversing decades of history in a memorable sequence. 'I Lied to You' not only stands out for its dramatic and musical power but also for its symbolic value. 'We wanted the music to feel alive, everyday, a natural part of the community,' explained Serena Göransson in previous interviews. This fusion, for many analysts, is the key to its impact among young audiences unfamiliar with traditional blues. The 'Sinners' soundtrack also brings together an unusual intergenerational cast: legends like Buddy Guy—who also has a cameo in the film—and Bobby Rush coexist with contemporary figures like Brittany Howard, Raphael Saadiq, Rod Wave, and James Blake. Musicians from other universes also participate, such as Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) and Lars Ulrich (Metallica), reinforcing the idea that the blues crosses genres and eras. Far from a nostalgic look, the film's musical proposal presents the blues as a living force, capable of dialoguing with the present without losing its identity. In this sense, the nomination for 'I Lied to You' serves as an unprecedented institutional recognition for the genre in recent decades and opens the door to a possible re-evaluation within the industry. For Ludwig Göransson, the goal is clear: 'I want kids to leave the theater wanting to pick up a guitar.' In Caton's deep voice and in the use of the 1932 Cyclops Dobro resonator guitar—the same instrument his character carries on screen—the song connects the Delta's roots with contemporary urban expressions.
