BLACK PANTHER - Black Panther The Album (Music From And Inspired By)

A Marvel character like Black Panther – an African-American superhero dusted off at just the right moment – seems almost tailor-made for Kendrick Lamar, who, as executive producer of the music for Ryan Coogler's film, wisely decided to bring together a roster of "guests" and co-writers that's nothing short of impressive and wildly varied: SZA, Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Saudi, Khalid, Swae Lee, Vince Staples, Yugen Blakrok, Jorja Smith, SOB X RBE, Ab-Soul, Anderson .Paak, Jay Rock, Future, James Blake, Zacari, Babes Wodumo, Mozzy, Sjava, Reason, Travis Scott and, last but not least, The Weeknd.

In short, a well-matched team of musicians and MCs for a production that the Compton rapper doesn't hesitate to oversee with his trademark meticulousness, drawing stylistically from all over the map. So, truly electrifying moments pop up like corn kernels in a hot pan, such as the tumultuous "Opps" by the duo Vince Staples & Yugen Blakrok: a hard-nosed, stubborn street-rap blast, complete with verses meant to drive home an assault on the enemy, acting as a counterweight to the alienating, exotic dimension of "Bloody Waters," where peculiar metaphors play a key role ("blood is thicker than water"), in turn tied to a rhythm section designed to emulate a slow, dripping torment. Worth noting too is James Blake's vocal grace, the cherry on top. Elsewhere, passages like "X" with ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz and Saudi stand out: a refrain worthy of Lamar at his best, before a sudden swerve into trap territory and off we go.

The album takes on its own distinct identity track by track, in some ways detached from the film's script. At certain points, significant political references also creep in, such as the nod to Benjamin Franklin in the verse delivered by Lamar himself in the episode mentioned above. Meanwhile, the tribal element laid down as a backdrop to the whole operation takes on a fairly solid pop shape in "Redemption," which features South African musician Babes Wodumo and Zacari, already heard on "DAMN." as the vocalist on the hit "LOVE".

The happy condition of being rich and famous surfaces, somewhat surprisingly, in the lyrics of "Big Shot" featuring Travis Scott on backup: the flute is proudly on display, foreshadowing the bit Lamar performed at the 2018 Grammy Awards (where he took home a full five). Finally, the most anticipated guest of all: The Weeknd, who appears on the thoroughly successful "Pray For Me," nailing a gripping set of lyrics marked by an unusual fear of rebirth and an almost chronic acceptance of one's own destiny. The track is rounded out by rhythmic tension and a killer chorus, with Tesfaye's voice delivering delicate jabs without ever overdoing it.

"Black Panther" is far more than a soundtrack. It's the product of a collective fusion, with Lamar splitting himself in two: at times the consummate host who knows exactly how to put his guests in the best light, at times the shrewd, big-picture helmsman.

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21/02/2018