So, we all know the best movie of 2018, Black Freaking Panther, last Friday and the hype is still at an all-time high. The movie was nothing short of AMAZING but was any of you curious about the music in the background of some of those scenes. Well, the soundtrack was curated by Kendrick and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith and is currently Number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. On this album, you will experience a variety of sounds, genres, and artists you would have never thought sounded so great together. I am going to share some of my personal faves off the album just to give a little feel of it.
1. X- School Boy Q Ft. 2 Chainz and Saudi
When this song enters, you are welcomed by the sound of African drums and a fire intro by Kendrick Lamar. The first verse is taken by South African Rapper, Saudi, and is mostly in rapped in Zulu (it’s so great). Then he is followed by School Boy Q and then 2 Chainz, who naturally kills their verses. This song gives you some confidence and some hype vibes, fit for a Queen or King.
2. The Ways- Khalid Ft. Swae Lee
This song is a completely different vibe than X, with a more love song vibe. This song starts off with the angelic vocals of the American Teen himself, Khalid. Then he is joined by Swae Lee with ad libs from Kendrick Lamar. The song is a guy who has this powerful, beautiful, strong woman who is not like any other girl he knows, and he can’t get her off his mind. He expresses how he want to crack her code and wife her up. We all know that this song is definitely about the King himself, T’Challa, and the beautiful Nakia.
3.Paramedic! – SOB X RBE
The intro of the song, sung by an uncredited Zacari and Kendrick Lamar, is from Killmonger’s point of view, with the words, “No one’s perfect. But no one’s worth this. We ain’t deserving of everything Heaven and Earth is, but word is, good (This is my home)”, and let me tell you, this song gives the Killmonger feels. This song should have been used when he met the Wakanda council because it’s so arrogant and describes Killmonger’s whole persona when he walked in in handcuffs. It’s basically saying you guys better get a paramedic because I’m here now, and I’m getting ready to ruin your lives.
4. Bloody Waters- Ab-Soul Ft. Anderson .Paak and James Blake
If you are familiar with Anderson .Paak and his sound, you already know this is a hit. He starts the song off with his raspy, soulful rap voice. He is then by proceeded by Ab-Soul eighth with a lighting verse that will make you feel like he is coming for you and your life. Then the song takes a complete 360-degree with the last verse being sung by James Blake. His voice is like the calm after the storm as he closes the song with the sound of animals, whistling trees, and drums in the background (a real African vibe, honestly).
Now, these are only some of the songs; there are still plenty of outstanding songs on this soundtrack. I am trying to put you and bless your life, don’t mess around and miss out on the Black Panther Soundtrack!
-HCxo