Hip hop superstar Kendrick Lamar teased his involvement with the soundtrack to Marvel’s upcoming ‘Black Panther’ just a few weeks ago, when he released his single ‘LOVE’. In the music video, a ‘Black Panther’ clapboard can see seen at the 1:54 mark. You can check it out below:
Even before that, Lamar’s single ‘DNA’ was used to score the ‘Black Panther’ footage that premiered at San Diego Comic-Con. Now we learn that not only did Lamar contribute to the film’s soundtrack, but that he served as its curator and producer along with Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith (founder of Top Dawg Entertainment).
Lamar said in a statement:
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“Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is amazing, from its cast to its director. The magnitude of this film showcases a great marriage of art and culture. I’m truly honored to contribute my knowledge of producing sound and writing music alongside Ryan [Coogler] and Marvel’s vision.”
Almost nothing else is known about ‘Black Panther: The Album’, other than it will consist of 14 tracks and that Lamar’s single ‘All the Stars’ is the first release and second track on the album. It’s not even clear if ‘Black Panther: The Album’ will consist of actual songs or a mix of songs and instrumental score. Just a guess, but this will probably be all songs, with a separate soundtrack released, featuring the score, which was provided by Ludwig Göransson. Trailers for the movie have also included ‘Legend Has It’ by Run the Jewels and ‘BagBak’ by Vince Staples, so those may also be in the actual film and therefore on the album.
‘All the Stars’ doesn’t have a music video yet, but the song itself can be heard on Youtube. It features additional vocals by SZA, who released her first critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Ctrl’ last year and has already scored two Soul Train Awards. She scored a #1 R&B hit ‘The Weekend’ featuring Calvin Harris and was featured on the inescapable Maroon 5 pop single ‘What Lovers Do’.
As for Lamar himself, he is easily one of the most successful hip hop artists around, having already won seven Grammys. His last two albums have debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. He’s had several hit singles, with last year’s ‘Humble’ hitting #1 on not just the Rap chart, but R&B and Pop as well.
Listen to Lamar and SZA’s ‘All the Stars’ from ‘Black Panther: The Album’ below:
‘Black Panther: The Album’ will be released on February 9, before the film arrives on Feb. 16.
Jax's earliest memory is of watching 'Batman,' followed shortly by a memory of playing Batman & Robin with a friend, which entailed running outside in just their underwear and towels as capes. When adults told them they couldn't run around outside in their underwear, both boys promptly whipped theirs off and ran around in just capes.
