The Black Panther soundtrack is the best preview of the film yet

Kendrick Lamar comes into his own as a producer, becoming a mind reader in the Marvel universe and tapping into the consciousness of its heroes and villains on Black Panther: The Album.

With Black Panther: The Album, Kendrick Lamar comes into his own as a soundtrack producer while becoming a mind reader in the Marvel universe. Tapping into the consciousness and subconscious of the film’s heroes and villains, the Grammy award-winning rapper opens a window into the context, heart, and relevance of the critically-acclaimed film — before it even hits theaters.

Opening track “Black Panther” is the sound of the weight of the crown; T’Challa’s internal, Shakespearean struggle as he assumes power and fights for the throne and his people. Inbetween lines from the point of view of the young king is a verse that tells the emotional core of the film and its significance of in American culture today.

"Sisters and brother in unison, not because of meBecause we don’t glue with the opposition, we glue with peace[…] What do you stand for?Are you an activist? What are your city plans for?Are you an accident? Are you just in the way?"

The lyrics bridge the Marvel Universe to ours. It may be an inspiring film, but its lasting relevance will be in inspiring thought and action. King T’Challa is a superhero, but he is nothing without a people to rally together into heroes of the everyday struggle toward peace.

But Lamar doesn’t just channel the hero. With a name like Killmonger, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the villain challenging King T’Challa for the throne is a cutthroat Machiavellian with an ego the size of Wakanda. But Lamar chooses to open “King’s Dead” with a line from his perspective that makes a two-sided point. “You ain’t really wild, you a tourist,” he raps. Not only is Killmonger-via-Lamar calling out how T’Challa is new to the violence of battle and war, but how his absence during Captain America: Civil War delegitimized his claim to Wakanda.

"Who am I? Not your father, not your brotherNot your reason, not your futureNot your comfort, not your reverence, not your gloryNot your heaven, not your angel, not your spiritNot your message, not your freedomNot your people, not your neighborNot your baby, not your equalNot the title y’all want me underAll hail King Killmonger"

In an album that bounces perspectives from hero to villain and back, closing track “Pray for Me” featuring The Weeknd reinforces the same complicated duality that every good superhero movie should have — especially those with so much cultural relevance.

The Weeknd is ready to ride into battle (and likely a sequel):

"I’m always ready for a war againGo down that road againIt’s all the sameI’m always ready to take a life againYou know I’ll ride again"

…and ends with Lamar and The Weeknd bringing protagonist, antagonist and the world in between together to celebrate what an iconic, landmark film Black Panther already is.

"I am T’ChallaI am KillmongerOne world, one God, one familyCelebration"

Next: Is Bucky Barnes really going to become Captain America in the MCU?

You can stream Black Panther: The Album here.