Daring ‘Panther’ music
Most superhero movie soundtracks are cobbled together with tired old hits and studio scraps. But the album that accompanies Marvel’s groundbreaking “Black Panther” is different in every way.
As daring and diverse as the film itself, Kendrick Lamar and his Top Dawg Entertainment label boss, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, produced and curated the soundtrack in collaboration with director Ryan Coogler.
The Grammy-winning rapper contributes five tracks including the single, “All the Stars,” featuring R&B star SZA. Over a blast of synths and a stuttering beat, Lamar delivers his typically incendiary verses: “You can bring a bullet, bring a sword/ Bring a morgue, but you can never bring the truth to me.”
On another track, “King’s Dead,” Lamar teams up with Jay Rock, Future and the English singer-songwriter James Blake. The three rappers spit over each other as Blake throws his haunting falsetto into the mix, evoking all the drama you would expect on the big screen.
“The magnitude of this film showcases a great marriage of art and culture,” Lamar said in a statement. “I’m truly honored to contribute my knowledge of producing sound and writing music alongside Ryan and Marvel’s vision.”
Even though a much-rumored appearance by Beyoncé didn’t materialize, the collection is packed with other hit-making star power: the Weeknd, ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Khalid, Future, Vince Staples and Anderson .Paak.
Two Northern California hip-hop acts are also in the mix: Vallejo’s SOB x RBE crew and Sacramento rapper Mozzy.
“I am honored to be working with such an incredible artist whose work has been so inspirational, and whose artistic themes align with those we explore in the film,” Coogler added. “I can’t wait for the world to hear what Kendrick and TDE have in store.”
The “Black Panther” soundtrack was made available Feb. 9, a week before the movie opens in theaters.
Later this year, Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Rock and SZA are slated to join Sir, Lance Skiiiwalker and Ab-Soul, for a tour of arenas and stadiums from May to June, with the tour’s only Northern California date set for May 8 at Oakland’s Oracle Arena.