Yes, you read the title correctly! Grammy-winning artist, Kendrick Lamar, has confirmed that he is working on the Black Panther soundtrack. Thursday night, Kendrick Lamar dropped the music video for “Love” featuring Zacari, a track from his most recent album, DAMN. The reception for the Dave Meyers and The Little Homies directed video, has been overwhelmingly positive. However, it looks as if Lamar snuck in a little Easter egg that contained a quick hint about some new music he has on the way.
Around the 1:54 mark a clapperboard enters the frame with the words “B.Panther Soundtrack Coming Soon” written on it. This all but confirms that Kendrick Lamar will have a hand in the soundtrack for Ryan Coogler’s upcoming installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Black Panther has a star-studded cast that includes Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
Lamar’s participation in Black Panther isn’t surprising as one would think. For the fans who were lucky enough to attend San Diego Comic-Con this past summer, Coogler, Boseman and other members of the cast presented exclusive footage of the film to Hall H that was described as a trailer-like montage set to Lamar’s “DNA,” another popular track from his most recent album. The trailer received a standing ovation from the audience and Coogler called the lyrics “amazing” and “actually oddly literal for our trailer’s purposes.” It looks like Kendrick Lamar will be joining Vince Staples and Run the Jewels, whose songs “BagBak” and “Legend Has It” have been featured in the first and second trailers for Black Panther, along with Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” Kendrick Lamar making new music is always a good thing. Now, all we need is J. Cole to mention that he is collaborating on the soundtrack as well.
Black Panther is due to hit theaters on February 16, 2018.
Are you excited about Black Panther? Are you happy Kendrick Lamar is collaborating on the soundtrack? What other musicians would you like to be involved? Leave your comments below!