Kendrick Lamar and SZA will reportedly not be performing their Oscar-nominated song "All the Stars" from Black Panther at this year's Academy Awards, according to Variety. The song was nominated for four Grammy's this year, including both Song and Record of the Year. Due to scheduling conflicts, neither artist was able to attend the awards ceremony earlier this month.
An Academy source confirmed that another act will not be playing the song, despite the four fellow nominees' scheduled performances. In addition to the fan-favorite "Shallow," which will be performed by A Star Is Born protagonists Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, the Best Song category includes: “When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings” from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, "The Place Where Lost Things Go" from Mary Poppins Returns, and Jennifer Hudson's “I’ll Fight” from RBG. In light of Bohemian Rhapsody's nomination for Best Picture, Queen will also be taking the stage during the star-studded event.
Lamar and SZA's absence is reportedly not in protest of the awards ceremony. The rapper's team has been communicating with the Academy to try and make the performance work with his schedule. However, sources outside of the Oscars camp have said that Lamar is not currently in the States. According to Deadline, "Lamar also was unable to perform at the Grammys due to work abroad."
It's unclear if that work is music-related or something else altogether.
Rumors surrounding the next Kendrick album have been brewing. In 2018, whispers of an upcoming project were halted when Top Dawg Entertainment CEO told fans they shouldn't expect anything anytime soon. However, when Polydor Records posted and swiftly-deleted information regarding a King Kendrick album in 2019, hope was reinstated.
Jay Rock also teased a Kendrick project when conducting a Q&A on Twitter. In response to a fan asking whether he and Kendrick would ever collaborate on a full-length album, Rock wrote, "We might already have a full project."
