Ryan Gosling performs I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the Oscars ceremony. Reuters / Mike Blake
Ryan Gosling performs I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the Oscars ceremony. Reuters / Mike Blake
Ryan Gosling performs I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the Oscars ceremony. Reuters / Mike Blake
Ryan Gosling performs I'm Just Ken from Barbie during the Oscars ceremony. Reuters / Mike Blake

Music performances at 2024 Oscars ranked: Bocelli, Eilish, and Gosling rocking with Slash


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Let’s face it, without its musical performances, the Oscars ceremony would be a drudgery of names being read from lists, teary acceptance speeches and strained quips.

It is the music that keeps the night emotionally charged, pulling and relieving tension throughout the three-and-a-half-hour event.

This year’s ceremony featured several exciting performances, and there were some surprising cameos, each bringing a new twist to songs and compositions featured in last year's biggest films.

Though each act was rousing in its own way, some stood out more than others. Here are the musical performances of the 2024 Oscars ranked – it's not fair to say worst to best, so let's say from ones that we'd likely forget sooner rather than later, to the ones that will stick with us for some time.

6. The Fire Inside

It made sense that the backdrop was aflame as Becky G took to the stage at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.

Becky G performs The Fire Inside from the movie Flamin' Hot. EPA / Caroline Brehman
Becky G performs The Fire Inside from the movie Flamin' Hot. EPA / Caroline Brehman

The singer began her performance of The Fire Inside alone and was soon joined by a group of 10 girls. The performance intensified as a choir appeared on the sides of the stage, along with a fully fledged orchestra raised above the fire. As powerful a performance as it was, the night would go on to deliver several spectacles that would outshine it.

The Fire Inside was written by Diane Warren for the Eva Longoria-directed film Flamin’ Hot. The film tells the story of Richard Montanez, the janitor at Frito Lay who came up with the idea for Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

5. Time To Say Goodbye

Andrea Bocelli and his son Mateo Bocelli performed during the ceremony’s In Memoriam section, which paid tribute to the talents that died in the past year. The performance featured stunning choreography and a string section.

It was a beautiful reinterpretation of the song, which was originally released by Bocelli in 1995 as Con te partiro, before its English version came out a year later as a duet with British singer Sarah Brightman.

Matteo Bocelli, left, and Andrea Bocelli perform Time To Say Goodbye during the In Memoriam segment. AP / Chris Pizzello
Matteo Bocelli, left, and Andrea Bocelli perform Time To Say Goodbye during the In Memoriam segment. AP / Chris Pizzello

The memoriam segment began with a recorded message from Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition figure who died last month. A quote from Navalny, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature last year, was then displayed: “The only thing that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”

Figures honoured during the memoriam performance included Harry Belafonte, Paul Reubens, Matthew Perry, Norman Jewison, Melinda Dillon, Julian Sands, Carl Weathers, Treat Williams and Burt Young. Their names, photos and clips from some of their most renowned performances were displayed on the screen in the background.

4. It Never Went Away

Jon Batiste has always had a special, expressive touch on the piano, and his performance at the Oscars exhibited this in full flair. Yet, there was something even more personal.

Jon Batiste performs the song It Never Went Away from his Oscar-nominated documentary American Symphony. EPA / Caroline Brehman
Jon Batiste performs the song It Never Went Away from his Oscar-nominated documentary American Symphony. EPA / Caroline Brehman

The composer played It Never Went Away from his Oscar-nominated film American Symphony, directed by Matthew Heineman. The documentary tells the story of how Batiste recorded his first symphony in the midst of personal struggle, as his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, faced leukaemia.

The performance was accentuated with visuals as love scenes from different films, classic and contemporary, were displayed on the circular backdrop.

3. What Was I Made For?

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell delivered a restrained but nonetheless moving performance of the song.

Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish won Best Original Song for What Was I Made For? EPA / Allison Dinner
Finneas O'Connell and Billie Eilish won Best Original Song for What Was I Made For? EPA / Allison Dinner

The fifth single from the film Barbie was a chart-topper worldwide. The pair began with a simple vocal and piano duet, before the purple backdrop opened to reveal an orchestra that carried the ballad to the end with a lush string section.

The performance concluded to thunderous standing ovation, which must have caught Eilish by surprise as she let out a chuckle and a "whoa".

Eilish and O’Connell were then named winners of the Oscar for Best Original Song for What Was I Made For?

2. Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)

Among the most memorable performance was this song from Killers of the Flower Moon, the western crime epic directed by Martin Scorsese.

It was performed by writer Scott George, a member of the Osage Nation and the first Native American to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. George was joined on stage by other Osage singers and musicians.

Scott George and The Osage Singers perform Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon. Getty / Kevin Winter
Scott George and The Osage Singers perform Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon. Getty / Kevin Winter

The performance featured a traditional Osage dance and a hacking drum rhythm as singers chanted in contrasting tones that melded in rolling harmonies. The backdrop, meanwhile, was illuminated a deep orange, giving the impression of a setting sun.

1. I’m Just Ken

Ryan Gosling’s rock star performance shouldn’t be surprising. Yet, as the actor concluded his Barbie character’s song, the audience was enraptured with many A-listers looking towards each other in awe.

Ryan Gosling, centre; Slash, centre right; Wolfgang Van Halen, centre left; and Mark Ronson, left, perform I'm Just Ken. AFP / Patrick Fallon
Ryan Gosling, centre; Slash, centre right; Wolfgang Van Halen, centre left; and Mark Ronson, left, perform I'm Just Ken. AFP / Patrick Fallon

Gosling began the song from his seat behind Barbie co-star Margot Robbie, dressed in a shimmering pink suit. He then proceeded to the Dolby Theatre stage with many of his co-stars from the film dancing alongside him.

The audience sang along and twirled giant cardboard cutouts of Barbie faces before Slash, the legendary guitarist from the band Guns N' Roses, made a surprise appearance during the song’s crescendo, to play a blistering solo.

Other surprising cameos during the song included Wolfgang Van Halen and Mark Ronson.

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie

Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)

Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. 

BLACKBERRY
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

The Details

Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5 

The Matrix Resurrections

Director: Lana Wachowski

Stars:  Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick 

Rating:****

FIGHT CARD

 

1.           Featherweight 66kg

Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2.           Lightweight 70kg

Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

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Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4.           Lightweight 70kg

Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5.           Featherweight 66kg

Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

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Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10.         Catchweight 90kg

Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final

Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3
(Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

The biog

Family: Parents and four sisters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah

A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls

Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction

Favourite holiday destination: Italy

Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning

Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes

Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure

In The Heights

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda

Rating: ****

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

MATCH INFO

Burnley 0

Man City 3

Raheem Sterling 35', 49'

Ferran Torres 65'

 

 

Afcon 2019

SEMI-FINALS

Senegal v Tunisia, 8pm

Algeria v Nigeria, 11pm

Matches are live on BeIN Sports

The%20specs
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The Greatest Royal Rumble card

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Rusev

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v Kalisto

Company%20profile
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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

Credits

Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5

Updated: March 12, 2024, 6:45 AM