The latest installment in the Marvel Universe is its most diverse and celebrated addition yet: Black Panther. The film features Marvel’s first African American superhero lead, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who is the newly crowned king of Wakanda.
Curated by “Humble” rapper Kendrick Lamar, the soundtrack behind the film shows listeners a masterpiece, no doubt, like the film itself. Boasting big names such as The Weeknd, SZA and Travis Scott, the compilation integrates plot devices from the film, as well as rallying cries of its own.
The song most people will instantly recognize is the radio friendly collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and SZA, “All the Stars.” At one moment, he raps over the swaying beat,
“I recognize your false confidence, and calculated promises all in your conversation.
I hate people that feel entitled, look at me crazy ‘cause I ain’t invite you.”
This song may be a good hit for the top 40, but it also speaks in depth towards some of the messages behind the box office sensation.
Lamar’s collaborative project shows all of the makings behind a good soundtrack. Between the bumping bass track underlying the slinky collaboration “Opps” with Vince Staples and Yugen Blakrok and Travis Scott’s appearance on “Big Shot,” this soundtrack offers some of the finest features in recent history.
However, one of the standout tracks for Black Panther is the Khalid and Swae Lee collaboration “The Ways.” The focus and inspiration beyond the track is on a mysterious female love interest and how they have had her on their mind all day. This offering on the LP is hinted to be about the lead character T’Challa’s love interest, Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o).
The empowering and diverse group of artists that make up the soundtrack for Black Panther proves how much Lamar is planning on making this album one of the biggest hits of the year.
Black Panther has quickly climbed the charts to become one of the top grossing films this year. It’s in theaters now.
The soundtrack is available for streaming and purchase on all major distributors. Listen to it here!
