Claire Henry

The release of Black Panther (2018) stands as a landmark in cinematic history. Wakanda, a fictional technologically advanced country, introduces audiences to Afrofuturism, a visionary reimagining of Black reality, where Black voices take center stage. Untouched by white colonialism and powered by vibranium, Wakanda became a symbol of Black excellence, resilience, and innovation. Holding great significance for its time, being the first Black superhero blockbuster with a Black director, earning $1 billion at the box office, and showcasing a majority Black cast, Black Panther paved its way towards numerous Oscar nominations.

At the core of Black Panther‘s cultural impact was not only its visual storytelling but the soundscape that accompanied it. Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar curated an album inspired by the film that reflected its Afrofuturist themes. Lamar’s album brought Black voices and stories to the forefront, using the music’s power to delve deeper into the film’s exploration of Black identity, moral conflict, and liberation.

Defining Afrofuturism through Sound

“Afrofuturism,” coined by Mark Dery in 1994, arose from the lack of Black representation in science fiction. It merges Black culture with futuristic, speculative narratives, and places Black people at the center of their own stories. Music has long been an essential component of Afrofuturism, allowing Black artists to express their history, struggles, and visions of the future. Artists like Missy Elliott and OutKast, with their futuristic visuals and sound, are early pioneers of Afrofuturistic themes in music.

Lamar’s Black Panther soundtrack redefined this concept, blending traditional African sounds with contemporary rap and hip-hop to reflect both the struggles and aspirations of Black people globally. His music tells the story of the film’s two key characters—T’Challa, the titular Black Panther and king of Wakanda, and Killmonger, the anti-hero with a more aggressive view of Black liberation and challenger to the Wakandan throne. The album acts as a narrative extension of the film, exploring the ideological tension between these two characters and their differing approaches to power and freedom.

Lamar’s Vision: Merging Fiction and Reality

The first track, “Black Panther,” exemplifies Lamar’s blend of real-world and fictional Black struggles. Lamar voices T’Challa’s inner conflicts, connecting the fictional character’s responsibilities with real-world issues faced by Black communities. Lamar lyrically explores themes of identity, power, and cultural heritage, while the music’s combination of African rhythms and futuristic beats creates a sonic landscape mirroring Wakanda’s technological advancements.

Lamar also addresses contemporary issues such as police brutality, institutional racism, and social injustice. In the track “Opps”, the lyrics reflect the constant threats Black people face, echoing the experiences of Killmonger, who is shaped by the systemic racism he has encountered growing up outside of Wakanda, in America. The juxtaposition of Wakanda’s utopian society with the harsh realities of Black life in America is a powerful feature of both the film and the album which audiences can reflect on.

The Power of Collaboration

The Black Panther album features a mix of international artists such as American R&B singer SZA and South African musician Sjava, who sings in Zulu. This collaboration brings a global dimension to the soundtrack, highlighting the complex, multifaceted nature of Black identity. The music transcends borders, connecting African roots to African-American culture and the broader Black diaspora.

Composer Ludwig Göransson, despite being white, significantly contributed to the portrayal of Wakanda’s sonic identity in its soundtrack. Through research and collaboration with Black musicians, his incorporation of traditional African instruments, including the talking drum, alongside modern beats from the Roland TR-808 drum machine, not only showcased his expertise but also highlighted his commitment to featuring and amplifying Black voices from around the world. This sonic fusion not only deepened the film’s Afrofuturistic themes but also reinforced the connection between Black cultural heritage and future possibilities.

Redefining Afrofuturism

Lamar’s contribution to the Black Panther soundtrack redefined Afrofuturism in music by grounding the elements of Wakanda in the real-life struggles and aspirations of Black people across the globe. By combining African rhythms with hip-hop beats and lyrics that speak to contemporary issues, the album creates a bridge between the past, present, and future of Black culture.

Final Thoughts

Afrofuturism, as expressed through Lamar’s brilliant soundtrack, is not just a celebration of Black culture but a reclamation of Black identity. The music reflects the idea that Black people, despite centuries of oppression, are creating their own futures—futures that are rooted in their history but are also forward-looking and innovative. In so doing, it amplifies Black voices and stories, helping to reshape the narrative around Black identity in mainstream media. This soundscape, much like the Black Panther film itself, envisions a future where Black excellence thrives, unhindered by the limitations imposed by colonialism or systemic oppression.

Claire Henry is a Californian native in her 4th year of study, pursuing a Master of Arts Honors undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews in Film Studies and Sustainable Development. Her research interests span Racial Justice, Feminist Studies, Eco-cinema, and sustainability within the film industry. Currently, she is working on her honors dissertation, which explores how gender diversity in leadership roles within film production fosters more sustainable workspaces and ethical storytelling.

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