Ryan Coogler and ‘Wicked’ Stars Land Grammy Nods as Recording Academy Identifies Nominees in Compilation Soundtrack Category

When the Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Friday (Nov. 7), details were scant in the category of best compilation soundtrack for visual media. The five nominated soundtracks were identified, but the only individual named was Timothée Chalamet for singing Bob Dylan’s songs on the soundtrack to A Complete Unknown.

On Tuesday (Nov. 11), the academy announced the rest of the credits in the category. Ryan Coogler landed his third career Grammy nod as one of the compilation producers for Sinners (along with Ludwig Göransson and Serena Göransson). Coogler was nominated in that same category two years ago for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He was also nominated for best song written for visual media for co-writing “Lift Me Up” for that film.

Coogler wasn’t nominated in the latter category this year, but three songs from Sinners were – “I Lied to You,” “Pale, Pale Moon” and the title song. Only two other films have ever had three or more nominees for best song written for visual media since the category was introduced at the 1988 ceremony. Waiting To Exhale had three in 1997; Barbie had four two years ago.

Coogler is also very likely to receive Oscar nods for Sinners, which he directed, wrote and co-produced. He has received two Oscar nods to date – best picture as a producer of Judas and the Black Messiah and best original song for “Lift Me Up.”

The additional nomination brings Ludwig Göransson’s nominations count for this year to five, all for work on Sinners. He is also nominated for best song written for visual media (“Pale, Pale Moon” and “I Lied to You”) best score soundtrack for visual media (includes film and television) and best instrumental composition (“Why You Here / Before the Sun Went Down”). This ups Göransson’s career Grammy nominations count to 20. It’s the first nod for his wife, Serena Göransson.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were also named as nominees for best compilation soundtrack for visual media for Wicked. They were nominated last week for best pop duo/group performance for the musical’s most famous song, “Defying Gravity.” Erivo received an additional nomination last week for best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella for “Be Okay,” a song from her second studio album, I Forgive You. The additional nod brings Grande’s career Grammy nominations total to an even 20; Erivo’s to five.

Both stars received Oscar nominations for their roles in Wicked and may receive Oscar nods for Wicked: For Good. If they do, they’ll join a short list of actors who have received two nods for playing the same role in different films.

Stephen Schwartz was also named as a nominee for best compilation soundtrack for visual media for Wicked. He had received two other nominations for his work on the film last week – best score soundtrack for visual media (includes film and television) and best instrumental composition for “Train to Emerald City.” This ups his career nominations tally to 18.

The Recording Academy waits until the nominations are announced to fully research the nominees in this category and determine who meets their eligibility criteria. The 68th annual Grammy Awards will be presented on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Here’s the complete list of nominees for best compilation soundtrack for visual media, with full credits added:

A Complete Unknown, Timothée Chalamet; Nick Baxter, Steven Gizicki & James Mangold, compilation producers; Steven Gizicki, music supervisor

F1® The Album, Various Artists; Brandon Davis, Joe Khoury & Kevin Weaver, compilation producers; David Taylor & Jake Voulgarides, music supervisors

KPop Demon Hunters, Various Artists; Spring Aspers & Dana Sano, compilation producers; Ian Eisendrath, music supervisor

Sinners, Various Artists; Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson & Serena Göransson, compilation producers; Niki Sherrod, music supervisor

Wicked, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande (& Wicked Movie Cast); Stephen Oremus, Stephen Schwartz & Greg Wells, compilation producers; Maggie Rodford, music supervisor