
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is not slowing down.Just days after dominating headlines across the awards circuit, the genre-defying film has secured another major milestone, this time at the 16th annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards in Los Angeles. The Warner Bros. production emerged as the only double winner of the night, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most culturally and technically accomplished films of the 2026 awards season.
From score to songwriting, Sinners continues to prove that its creative strength runs deep.
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‘I Lied to You’ Takes Best Song

One of the biggest moments of the evening came when ‘I Lied to You’ won Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film. The haunting track, co-written by Ludwig Göransson and Raphael Saadiq, and performed by Miles Caton, has already earned an Academy Award nomination. Its win at the Guild awards adds fresh momentum ahead of Oscar night.
Raphael Saadiq also received the Guild’s Icon Award in recognition of his long-standing contributions to music and film. He performed ‘I Lied to You’ live during the ceremony alongside Göransson, with Brittany Howard joining on guitar, a performance that reminded audiences why the song has resonated so strongly this season.
The Guild of Music Supervisors Awards specifically recognises excellence in music supervision across film, television, advertising and gaming. While other awards spotlight actors and directors, this platform celebrates the invisible architects who shape a project’s sonic identity. In that context, Sinners’ win carries particular weight.
Niki Sherrod Wins Best Music Supervision

Beyond the song category, Sinners also claimed Best Music Supervision in Major Budget Films, awarded to Niki Sherrod. Her work on the film’s soundtrack has been widely praised for its layered blend of blues influence, atmospheric scoring and contemporary production.
Sherrod’s recognition underscores a key truth about Sinners: its soundscape is not an afterthought. It is central to the film’s storytelling. The music does not simply accompany scenes, it drives tension, deepens emotion and anchors the film’s cultural references.
This dual victory makes Sinners the only film to take home two trophies at this year’s Guild ceremony. Other film winners included Marty Supreme in the mid-level budget category and One of Them Days in the low-budget category. However, no other major studio release matched Sinners’ impact on the night.
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Awards Momentum Continues
These latest wins arrive during the final stretch of Oscar voting, where Sinners is competing with a record-breaking 16 nominations. ‘I Lied to You’ will face strong competition in the Best Original Song category at the Academy Awards, but the Guild victory signals industry respect from peers who understand the craft behind music supervision.
Beyond statistics, the film’s success highlights something bigger. Sinners has built its awards momentum not just through star power, but through technical excellence across writing, scoring and production. It reflects a broader shift in global cinema, one where genre films led by Black creatives are commanding critical and institutional recognition at the highest levels.
As awards season approaches its climax, all eyes remain on whether Sinners will convert this Guild momentum into Oscar gold.
For more updates on global film milestones and in-depth coverage of African and diaspora creatives shaping international cinema, follow RefinedNG and visit www.refinedng.com.
