The soundtrack features music from artists including Rihanna, Burna Boy, Tems, Fireboy DML, OG DAYV Ft. Future and many more.
Black Panther fans are a week away from diving into the highly anticipated sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and now they'll have something to tide them over the next few days -- the film's original soundtrack.
On Friday, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By soundtrack, executive produced by director Ryan Coogler's Proximity Media was released, featuring over 40 international artists recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, Mexico City, London and Los Angeles. The star-studded lineup of artists includes Rihanna, Burna Boy, Tems, Fireboy DML, OG DAYV featuring Future, CKay featuring PinkPantheress, E-40, Alemán featuring Rema, Blue Rojo and many more.
Released via Roc Nation Records/Def Jam Recordings/Hollywood Records, the soundtrack was produced by Oscar and GRAMMY-winner Ludwig Göransson, who also composed and produced the film's score.
"Ryan and I talked about the importance of creating an immersive journey of sound and voice," said Göransson said in a statement. "If we used a song in the film, we wanted it to be the entire song, and to be connected to the story. Thematically, we wanted to move the audience from grief to celebration. When you listen to the soundtrack, you can close your eyes and relive the experience of the movie. That was the intention."
Rihanna's lead single for the soundtrack and her first single in six years, "Lift Me Up," was released on Oct. 28, accompanied by a music video.
The single was penned by Tems, Göransson, Rihanna and Coogler, and has global influences attached to it. It's a beautiful eulogy to Chadwick Boseman, who played King T'Challa, aka Black Panther, and died at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
At the Wakanda Forever premiere on Oct. 26, Coogler shared with ET that Göransson drew on his own travels to not only record the track in five different countries but bring a worldwide feel to the song.
"It has elements from his time in Senegal, several years ago, it has elements from -- obviously I recorded here in the states, recorded in the U.K., also recorded in Mexico. And then Tems and I and Ludwig sat down in Nigeria, and put some real work in on it, a few months back," Coogler shared.
"After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I've lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them," Tems said in a statement. "Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor."
"I'll say this, I didn't get [Rihanna] to do anything. I don't think anybody can get her to do anything, she's a person who marches to the beat of her own drum," the director said about having the new mom jump onto the soundtrack. "I'm just thankful that she wanted to contribute to this, and I'll be forever grateful and not just to her, but all the other fantastic musicians that are on the soundtrack."
Spotify launched a new consumer experience on the platform for the film, unveiling exclusive content from the cast within the official film playlist that includes music from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Prologue.
The playlist features immersive options, including in-app Black Panther-inspired coded puzzles that will pop up for certain superfans once they listen to select songs in the playlist and exclusive clips from the cast detailing everything from their superhero songs to the Black and Latin artists inspiring them daily.
Listen to the Wakanda Forever soundtrack below.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters Nov. 11.
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