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April 1972

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Achievement · music
Isaac Hayes Wins Academy Award for Shaft Theme

Isaac Hayes became the first Black composer to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the "Theme from Shaft." The win was a historic breakthrough in Hollywood recognition of Black artistic achievement and cemented Hayes as a defining figure of both funk and film music.

Events

  1. April 10, 1972
    Isaac Hayes Wins Academy Award for Shaft Theme

    Isaac Hayes became the first Black composer to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the "Theme from Shaft." The win was a historic breakthrough in Hollywood recognition of Black artistic achievement and cemented Hayes as a defining figure of both funk and film music.

  2. April 10, 1972
    Isaac Hayes wins Academy Award for Shaft theme

    Isaac Hayes becomes the first Black American to win an Academy Award in a non-acting category, winning Best Original Song for the Theme from Shaft at the 44th Academy Awards.