Kendrick Lamar - Black Panther Album
The Billboard Discussion
"Black Panther: The Album" has debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, amassing 154,000 equivalent album units in the week ending February 15, according to Nielsen Music. Of this total, 52,000 units are from traditional album sales.
The album, featuring music from and inspired by Marvel Studios' blockbuster film "Black Panther," achieved the most significant week for a soundtrack in over a year and a half. The last soundtrack to have a larger week was "Suicide Squad: The Album," which topped the chart on August 27, 2016, with 182,000 units. "Black Panther: The Album" was released on February 9 through Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope Records.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption, including traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA), and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). The new chart dated February 24, where "Black Panther: The Album" debuts at number one, will be posted in full on Billboard’s website on February 21, a day later than usual due to the Presidents’ Day holiday.
"Black Panther: The Album"
It features several tracks by Kendrick Lamar, who curated and produced the hip-hop-heavy album with Top Dawg Entertainment’s founder/CEO Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. The album also includes contributions from The Weeknd, SZA, Khalid, and James Blake, among others. This marks the fifth number one album for Top Dawg, following three leaders from Lamar (DAMN., untitled unmastered., and To Pimp a Butterfly) and ScHoolboy Q’s "Oxymoron."
"Black Panther" is the second soundtrack to reach number one on the Billboard 200 in 2018, following "The Greatest Showman," which spent two weeks at the top in January. The 14-track "Black Panther" album's debut is primarily driven by streams, with 93,000 streaming equivalent album units. Traditional album sales contributed 52,000 units, and track equivalent album units added 9,000. It's not uncommon for hip-hop albums to perform well on streaming services, and "Black Panther: The Album" is no exception.
Streams and Numbers
The album's 93,000 SEA units equate to 138.9 million on-demand audio streams for its songs in the week ending February 15, the largest streaming week ever for a soundtrack, surpassing the 40.4 million on-demand audio streams achieved by "The Greatest Showman" in late January. Of the 14 songs on "Black Panther: The Album," three are featured in the "Black Panther" film. This marks the first time Marvel Studios has integrated multiple original recordings specifically for a film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
"Black Panther: The Album" is not the first chart-topping soundtrack to consist mainly of music inspired by a film, with few tracks actually appearing in the movie. It follows similar albums such as "The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond" (2012) and "Men in Black: The Album" (1997).
In Other Places
Elsewhere on the Billboard 200, Justin Timberlake’s "Man of the Woods" drops to number two in its second week with 74,000 units, while "The Greatest Showman" holds steady at number three with 72,000 units. Migos’ "Culture II" slips to number four with 68,000 units.
The "Fifty Shades Freed" soundtrack debuts at number five with 58,000 units. This marks the third soundtrack in the "Fifty Shades" film trilogy to reach the top five.
The Billboard 200 also features Ed Sheeran’s "÷ (Divide)" at number six, Bruno Mars’ "24K Magic" at number seven, Post Malone’s "Stoney" at number eight, Kendrick Lamar’s "DAMN." at number nine, and Camila Cabello’s "Camila" closing out the top ten.
Why Kendrick was contracted
Kendrick Lamar was selected to curate and produce the soundtrack for the "Black Panther" film due to his exceptional talent, influence in the music industry, and his capacity to create music that resonates with diverse audiences.
Director Ryan Coogler specifically chose Lamar for the project because of his unique artistic vision and ability to blend various musical styles. Lamar's involvement brought a fresh and authentic sound to the soundtrack, incorporating elements of hip-hop, R&B, and African music. His collaboration with Top Dawg Entertainment’s founder/CEO Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith ensured a cohesive and powerful representation of the film's themes and cultural significance.
Lamar's prior success with critically acclaimed albums like "DAMN." and "To Pimp a Butterfly" demonstrated his capability to produce high-quality music that complemented the groundbreaking nature of the "Black Panther" film. His contributions significantly elevated the soundtrack, making it an integral part of the movie's success.
Awards and Applauds
Kendrick Lamar received several prestigious awards for his work on the "Black Panther" soundtrack. At the 2019 Grammy Awards, Lamar won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for the song "King's Dead," a collaboration with Jay Rock, Future, and James Blake. The soundtrack was also nominated for multiple other Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Additionally, the song "All the Stars," a collaboration between Lamar and SZA, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. These awards and nominations highlight the critical acclaim and impact of Lamar's contributions to the "Black Panther" soundtrack, underscoring his artistic excellence and influence in the music industry.
My Opinion
Kendrick Lamar's "Black Panther: The Album" stands as a monumental achievement in both music and film history. Curated and produced by Lamar alongside Top Dawg Entertainment’s founder/CEO Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, the album offers a captivating blend of hip-hop, R&B, and African musical elements. This fusion not only enhances the cinematic experience of the "Black Panther" film but also serves as a cultural milestone, showcasing the richness of African sounds and themes to a global audience.
The album’s strength lies in its ability to complement the film's narrative while standing alone as a compelling musical work. Featuring a stellar lineup of artists such as The Weeknd, SZA, Khalid, and James Blake, the album weaves together a diverse range of voices and styles. Kendrick Lamar’s influence is evident throughout the album, with his powerful lyrics and distinctive sound driving many of the tracks.
One of the standout aspects of "Black Panther: The Album" is its thematic coherence. The songs resonate with the film's exploration of identity, power, and heritage, creating a seamless connection between the music and the movie's storyline. Tracks like "All the Stars" and "Pray for Me" not only echo the film’s themes but also elevate its emotional impact. Lamar's lyrical prowess shines through, as he tackles complex issues with nuance and insight.
The album’s commercial success and critical acclaim further underscore its significance. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and amassing impressive streaming numbers, "Black Panther: The Album" set records and demonstrated the widespread appeal of its innovative sound. Lamar’s ability to curate a soundtrack that resonates with both mainstream audiences and hip-hop aficionados speaks to his artistry and vision.
Moreover, the recognition the album received in the form of awards and nominations highlights its impact. Winning the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for "King's Dead" and receiving nominations for prestigious accolades such as the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song with "All the Stars" are testaments to the album's excellence.
To draw the curtains, Kendrick Lamar's "Black Panther: The Album" is a landmark in contemporary music and film. Its creative fusion of genres, thematic depth, and cultural significance make it a standout work that continues to inspire and influence. Lamar's visionary approach has not only enriched the "Black Panther" film but also left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Source: Societal Vibz