Kendrick Lamar drops first single from Black Panther soundtrack ft. SZA
The promotions to hype up all things Black Panther and Wakanda are in full swing. This morning we were treated to a double dip of soundtrack hype. First, Kendrick Lamar confirmed that he is not only going to be featured on the soundtrack for Marvel’s Blacker than Black movie, but he is going to be an executive producer of Black Panther: The Album, the movie’s soundtrack. Assisting Lamar in his executive producer duties is Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, the CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment, the label Lamar is signed to. Along with the announcement, Lamar also dropped the lead single from the film, featuring none other than SZA.
In a Marvel press release, the film’s director Ryan Coogler showers praise on Kendrick Lamar and says he’s looking forward to what Lamar and TDE are going to create for the album. Notably, this is the first time that Marvel has solicited an outside source to create or curate a soundtrack for one of its film projects, and will be the first time that Marvel uses multiple original songs specifically created for a film.
Marvel’s full press release:
Internationally-celebrated Grammy® Award–winning global superstar Kendrick Lamar and Billboard Magazine’s Executive of the Year, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, are set to curate and produce “Black Panther: The Album.” The album will feature music from and inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther film including the lead single, “All The Stars,” featuring Kendrick Lamar and labelmate SZA, produced by Sounwave.
Lamar and Tiffith will collaborate with Coogler directly in the creation of music specific to the needs of the film. This will mark the first time that Lamar, whom Rolling Stone dubbed “the greatest rapper alive,” will write, produce, perform and curate for a major motion picture.
This collaboration represents the first time in Marvel Cinematic Universe history that Marvel Studios will integrate multiple original recordings created specifically for the film.
Lamar was hand-picked by Coogler for this first film music collaboration. “I am honored to be working with such an incredible artist whose work has been so inspirational, and whose artistic themes align with those we explore in the film. I can’t wait for the world to hear what Kendrick and TDE have in store,” said Coogler.
Here is “All The Stars” from Black Panther: