Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Black Panther
Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope (2018)
Selected by Justin Chadwick
A film with the cinematic scope and expansive vision of the box office record-breaking Black Panther warrants an accompanying soundtrack that packs a similar punch, and this Top Dawg Entertainment orchestrated song collection delivers.
Shortlisted for Album of the Year at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards, Black Panther: The Album (as distinguished from Ludwig Göransson’s GRAMMY winning score for the film) is a veritable who’s-who showcase of contemporary hip-hop and pop’s most thrilling artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Khalid, SZA, The Weeknd, Jorja Smith, Future and Travis Scott, among many others.
Lamar’s collaboration with SZA on the ubiquitously played “All The Stars” may be the most immediately recognizable entry, but “King’s Dead”—featuring the dream team of Jay Rock, Lamar, Future and James Blake—is the supreme standout of this standout-heavy affair.
LISTEN & WATCH: