BLACK PANTHER THE ALBUM: PAN-AFRICAN PARAGON
Thomas Lu

5 minute read.

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“King of my city, king of my country, King of my homeland” Kendrick Lamar proclaims in the opening lines of the titular first track. Rapping with the pace and bravado of a master craftsman, he sets the stage for what is arguably the greatest original soundtrack ever made. Kendrick does for the album what Ryan Coogler does for the movie, combining a bevy of source materials into a cohesive, groundbreaking, thrilling experience.

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Themes of race, inequity, and power are consistent through the project, as they are in the film. Beautifully produced, expertly sequenced, and emotionally significant, the album shines in its own right. The mere fact that the soundtrack is able to stand on its own even though it is inarguably attached to one of the best films of the 2010s is proof enough that the album is a milestone in media. It is a particularly compelling argument for the evolution of the soundtrack from simple fan-pleasing cash grab to supplemental storytelling in a second medium, providing an additional layer of content and context. 

 

Kendrick accompanies Top Dawg Entertainment label mate SZA to the second track All The Stars, perfectly matching her powerful, passionate voice with a self-aware, topical verse. 

 

Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, and South African Rapper Saudi fire off top notch verses on the very head-bangable hard hitting X. 

 

Khalid croons a low tempo love song alongside Swae Lee on the contemplative sounding The Ways, proving once more the versatility both artists. If anything sounded like a daydream, The Ways would be it.

 

The incredibly talented Vince Staples joins South African rapper Yugen Blakrok for Opps, a criminally underrated showcase of pure rap talent.

 

English singer Jorja Smith hauntingly questions the concept of identity on the sixth track I am, a song tailor made for contemplating one's existence late at night.

 

Returning to the high-energy hip hop side of the record, SOB X RBE brings their typical charisma and energy to Paramedic!, a song best described as pure hype energy. 

 

Ab-Soul joins Anderson .Paak, and James Blake on Bloody Waters, a song that compares the conflicted existence of the fictional nation of Wakanda to Soul's own upbringing in Carson, CA.

 

The iconic battle cry that begins King's Dead is description enough. The hit song featuring Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake overflows with confidence and skill. Honorable mention goes to Jay Rock's initial verse on the song, bringing a presence of energy heretofore unseen on the album. There's also Future's unforgettable falsetto verse, the impetus of many top quality memes.

 

California native Zacari brings the mania back down to a reasonable level with his performance on Redemption Interlude, work immediately undone by the following track Redemption. Heavily influenced by the gqom sounds of South Africa, this track is a hidden gem amongst the more recognizable tracks and artists. South African artist Babes Wodumo makes good use of the instrumental, almost guiding Zacari through the gqom groove. 

 

In the most emotionally weighted track, Mozzy, Reason, and Sjava all deliver wildly meditative and introspective performances on Seasons. A grinding reflection on modern perceptions of Africa, connecting back to the film, wherein the rich African nation of Wakanda is viewed as a third world country by those who are unable to see its true offerings.

 

On the second to last song, Kendrick is joined by Houston innovator, rapper, and producer Travis Scott for Big Shot. The infectious hook along with the bubbly production make it hard to not enjoy. The track is a refreshing dip back into the more pop focused songs that started the album.

 

Finally, The Weeknd lends his signature pop sound to the radio hit Pray for Me, both artists playing the role of the hero, one step from final defeat, rising to the occasion to save the world. Of the entire album, it is this track that sounds the most like the movie feels: grandiose, potent, and important. 

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Overall the album stands as a testament to the range of modern music. Range in both the sonic and geographical contexts. As unlikely as it sounds, this Hip-Hop/R&B fusion album, attached to an American film, based off a Sub-Saharan superhero, inspired by both modern and traditional African music, produced by Compton's own Kung-Fu Kenny earns a 9/10 on the arbitrary WACK. rating scale. It's definitely worth a listen.

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Written by Thomas Lu. September 2021.