Top Dawg Entertainment’s Black Panther soundtrack, officially titled Black Panther: The Album, keeps getting better and better. The Afrofuturistic record we’ve all been waiting for is here: “Pray For Me” by Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd has the Canadian songwriter’s signature piercing R&B vocals, with Compton’s own dropping a hard second verse in perfect parallel to King T’Challa’s heroic journey.
Elsewhere on the soundtrack are other extremely exciting collaborations. Let’s break it down track by track.
1. "Black Panther," Kendrick Lamar
If you thought “King’s Dead” was hard-hitting, you know the Black Panther theme will be a certified banger. There’s no way Kendrick isn’t delivering a record with “DAMN” impact.
2. "All The Stars," Kendrick Lamar and SZA
The first track released from the Black Panther soundtrack, SZA let fans know TDE is not taking this gig lightly. “All The Stars” feels like a soft love song, so it’s quite possible we’ll see this during one of T’Challa and Nakia’s scenes.
3. "X," ScHoolBoy Q, 2 Chainz and Saudi
ScHoolBoy Q and 2 Chainz will make a solid no record no matter what they’re given, but Saudi is the intriguing choice here. If you are unfamiliar with the young emcee check out "There She Go" Ft. A Reece, an undeniably catchy track. Signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, a South African independent record label, Saudi’s vocals are going to bring “X” to another dimension.
4. "The Ways," Khalid and Swae Lee
TDE is giving the youth their own track. “Location” singer Khalid, just 19-years-old, is teaming up with one half or Rae Sremmurd, Swae Lee. Expect clean production and something big from these two young hit-makers.
5. "Opps" Vince Staples and Yugen Blakrok
When you recruit Vince Staples, expect a track that’s raw and lyrical. Yugen Blakrok has her own old-school undeground style, transforming boom-bap beats into something new age. If you’re apprehensive and unfamiliar about this self-proclaimed “Astro Goth” from Johannesburg, give “House of Ravens” a listen. “Opps” will be next-level.
6. "I Am" Jorja Smith
Jorja Smith. What else is there to say? She doesn’t need anyone to make a hit, but this track could be quite emotional considering Smith’s recent track record. “Let me Down” ft. Stormzy and “On My Mind” and “Teenage Fantasy” are all smooth ballads from Drake’s favorite young English singer.
7. "Paramedic!" SOB x RBE
Honestly, it’s hard to say what the SOB x RBE crew will come up with, especially in the context of collaborating with TDE and Black Panther. What’s most noticeable about these guys from the Bay is their natural, casual music. Slimmy B, DaBoii, Lul G, and Yhung T.O. give a new meaning to boy band.
8. "Bloody Waters" Ab-Soul, Anderson .Paak and James Blake
It doesn’t get more versatile than these three artists. James Blake is an expert hip-hop collaborator, Ab-Soul will undoubtedly bring the bars and .Paak will most likely throw some funk into the mix. You recruit Anderson .Paak you get a dangerous groove.
9. "Kings Dead" Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake
“Miss me with that bullshit, You ain't really wild, you a tourist” should already be stuck in your head and “Kings Dead” already added to your playlist.
10. "Redemption Interlude"
We’ll have to wait on this one.
11. "Redemption" Zacari and Babes Wodumo
Zacari is a frequent K-Dot collaborator. “What’s Wrong” and “Love” are two standouts. With soft whispery vocals, his partnership with South African artist Babes Wodumo should yield quite an interesting result. Babes usually produces bass-heavy dance records.
12. "Seasons" Mozzy, Sjava and Reason
Mozzy, Sjava and Reason are all seasoned artists. Sacramento rapper Mozzy has been around a while and had one of the best rap albums of 2015, Bladadah . Sjava is a 29-year-old afro-soul singer from Johannesburg who released his first single in 2016. Sizwe Moeketsi, a.k.a. Reason, is one of the most influential rappers in South Africa.
13. "Big Shot" Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott
I feel like I should leave this description blank because there’s nothing to do except be speechless at the simple prospect of this team-up. I’ll just drop “Goosebumps” below because that’s what we’ll all have sitting in theater hearing this record for the first time.
14. "Pray For Me" The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar
What do you think of Kendrick’s collaboration with The Weeknd? Any early predictions for the hottest tracks from Black Panther: The Album ? Let us know in the comments. Black Panther arrives in theaters Feb. 16.
