Black Panther
Kendrick Lamar · 2018
49 min · 14 tracks · funk
A vibrant fusion of hip-hop, funk, and cultural pride that embodies the essence of Black empowerment and cinematic storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black Panther Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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All the Stars — This collaboration with SZA serves as an anthem for the film, merging lush production with introspective lyrics that reflect on hope and aspiration within adversity.
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King’s Dead — Featuring dynamic verses from multiple artists, this track exemplifies the raw energy and bold lyricism that characterizes Lamar's work while addressing themes of power and resilience.
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Pray for Me — The collaboration with The Weeknd delivers a haunting yet powerful message about struggle and perseverance, encapsulating the emotional core of the soundtrack's narrative.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends diverse styles and features strong collaborations, creating a distinct sound while addressing cultural themes.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate cinematic elements, such as orchestral arrangements and sound effects that enhance the storytelling aspect.
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with upbeat tempos, while the latter half shifts to more introspective and slower pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with varied intensity
- vibrant anthems for celebration
- thought-provoking themes for reflection
- engaging tracks for group listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek standalone singles experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Expanded Kendrick's reach and established him in mainstream culture through a major film soundtrack.
- Themes
- Wakandan resilience· power dynamics· Afrofuturist vision
- Career context
- Following the commercial success of his Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN., Kendrick Lamar released the Black Panther soundtrack as a companion piece to the film. This project showcases his continued evolution as an artist who intertwines music with social commentary and cultural significance. The soundtrack features contributions from various artists, further solidifying Lamar's influence in contemporary hip-hop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Isaiah Rashad· Anderson .Paak· Saba
Tracklist
- 1 Black Panther Start here 2:10
- 2 All the Stars 3:52
- 3 X 4:27
- 4 The Ways 3:58
- 5 Opps 3:00
- 6 I Am 3:28
- 7 Paramedic! 3:39
- 8 Bloody Waters 4:32
- 9 King’s Dead 3:45
- 10 Redemption Interlude 1:25
- 11 Redemption 3:42
- 12 Seasons 4:02
- 13 Big Shot 3:41
- 14 Pray for Me 3:31
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Dirty Computer
Janelle Monáe
Both explore Afrofuturism and identity with vibrant production and socially conscious themes.
Malibu
Anderson .Paak
Shares a rich blend of funk, hip-hop, and R&B, with introspective lyrics about culture and personal growth.
You're Dead!
Flying Lotus
Combines experimental sounds with deep cultural narratives, reflecting on life and mortality in an innovative way.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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