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.
Sunset Park
Elektra (1996)
Selected by Daryl McIntosh
There are plenty of examples of songs strung together to compile a soundtrack that don’t quite fit, but a prime example of the opposite is the soundtrack for Sunset Par, an understated film about the camaraderie of an inner-city high school basketball team and some of the troubles that spill over from the surrounding community. The songs that Elektra assembled perhaps tell this story even better than the actual screenplay.
Ghostface Killah featuring Raekwon’s “Motherless Child” and Mobb Deep’s “Back at You” fit perfectly as the dark side of the film’s main character, while MC Lyte featuring Xscape’s “Keep On, Keepin’ On” and Aaliyah’s “Are You Ready” bring to life the light-hearted aspect of high school love.
The film’s leading man Fredro Starr enlists his group Onyx for their signature energy for the song “Thangz Change.” The soundtrack also quietly holds some of the best songs from big name artists like 2Pac’s “High Til I Die” and Queen Latifah’s “Elements I’m Among,” which help this album endure as a classic compilation that arrived in the heart of a beloved era in hip-hop.
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