It’s the opening weekend for Black Panther, and all the hype around this badass Marvel superhero is well-deserved. If (for whatever reason) you aren’t planning to see T’Challa, the Black Panther, who is also a scientist and the King of the African Nation Wakanda, on the big screen this weekend, then this parody video of Jaden Smith’s “Icon” will definitely change your mind. After all, we didn’t know we needed the Black Panther to parody Jaden Smith’s iconic song until now.
On Feb. 12, Nerdist graced us with the Black Panther’s rendition of Smith’s music video. Well, the parody doesn’t actually feature Chadwick Boseman, the actor who plays Black Panther — but it is an extraordinary ode to the superhero who has been revolutionizing the Marvel Universe long before he (finally) got his own solo film. (Surely T’Challa let Nerdist’s Jared Nathan borrow his vibranium suit for this vid.)
Although the music video doesn’t star Boseman, it is teeming with references to the Black Panther’s badassery, as well as some of the powerful women that are featured in the film, specifically Princess Shuri. After all, Shuri is the princess we should all aspire to be.
Regardless, it’s clear how Nerdist got the idea to create this spoof of Smith’s video, seeing as nearly everyone recognizes T’Challa as an icon.
Everyone needs to go see Black Panther. A banger. An icon. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.
— AALIYAH (@LiyahRichard) February 16, 2018
Is there a limit to how many times we can see Black Panther in theaters? (Asking for a friend.)
The Black Panther’s version of “Icon” even switches Smith’s verse, “I am just an icon living,” to, “I am just a young king living,” just proving how much of an icon T’Challa is.
Nevertheless, we aren’t the only ones who appreciate Nerdist’s music video, seeing as one Twitter user even compared it to Will Smith’s hilarious version of his son’s song.
This ‘Black Panther’ parody of @officialjaden‘s “Icon” video is just as great as Will Smith’s:
https://t.co/waF3rxipz5 pic.twitter.com/DAc2Ae574D
— Highsnobiety (@highsnobiety) February 13, 2018
Though one Twitter user had the best response to Nerdist’s video:
The #BlackPanther #JadenSmith parody #Icon pic.twitter.com/ZDWUGhDXhL
— PCE.ENT (@paperchasn_ent) February 16, 2018
Because sometime emojis are the best way to respond to a masterpiece. Still, we can’t help but think of who will parody Smith’s music video next. (Though we definitely know that the superhero, Icon, was born to star in his own rendition of the music video.)
If you think the Black Panther story is dope, go & read the story of Icon!
An alien turned slave who has the same powers as Superman! pic.twitter.com/fOzO8duBD6
— bo, the artist w/ Jesus (@botheartistv1) February 1, 2018
If you still aren’t convinced of all the hype surrounding Black Panther’s debut film, then just compare Nerdist’s parody video to Smith’s OG production:
Black Panther is in theaters now.