For the first time in history, a rap song was performed at the Oscar ceremony as the group played It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp, which only minutes later was named the Best Original Song.

In 2002, Eminem earned an Oscar for his song Lose Yourself, from the film 8 Mile, but the rapper refused to perform the song at the event.

In the Best Soundtrack category, Gustavo Santaolalla was the winner for his work on Brokeback Mountain.