Mafia’s Oscar invite

The song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” by the group Three 6 Mafia would seem to have little in common with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John.

But if all goes according to plan during the 78th Annual Academy Awards on March 5, the Oscar-nominated tunes will share the distinction of songs that have been performed live at the prestigious ceremony.

And Three 6 Mafia, a Memphis, Tenn.-based group featuring Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard, can boast the additional honor of belting out the first hip-hop song in Oscar history. The graphic, hard-edged song expresses the frustration felt by Djay, a pimp played by Terrence Howard in the movie “Hustle & Flow.” But Oscar audiences won’t hear the racier lyrics.

“The group has agreed to take out language some people might find objectionable,” said Oscar producer Gilbert Cates.

In 2002, Eminem won the golden statue for the hip-hop song “Lose Yourself,” but he passed on appearing on Oscar’s stage.

The other two nominees for best song this year are “In the Deep” from the film “Crash” and “Travelin’ Thru” from “Transamerica.”