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.
Brown Sugar
MCA (2002)
Selected by Daryl McIntosh
“So, when did you fall in love with hip-hop?” was the unforgettable opening line of the love story of two lifelong friends whose relationship was centered around their shared love of hip-hop music. Released during the peak of the neo-soul movement, the Brown Sugar soundtrack featured some of the hottest names in R&B and hip-hop at the time. Music collective The Soulquarians left a huge imprint on the album including the lone official single “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” featuring former partners Erykah Badu and Common. The duo scored a GRAMMY award for Best R&B Song and set the tone for the soulful LP that celebrated the love affair of hip-hop and R&B.
Mos Def, who starred in the film, had a notable duet with Faith Evans entitled “Brown Sugar (Extra Sweet)” with shared production credits by Kanye West and Scott Storch. The Legendary Roots crew also stopped in to offer “Act Too (Love of My Life),” to drive home the album and film’s central theme.
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