Four long years later, the legend of the Black Panther continues in the film’s long-awaited sequel. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sombrely invites us to a new reality for the most technologically advanced country in the world as they try to adjust to life without their fearless leader. In the film, we are also introduced to Talokan, a hidden kingdom whose journey almost exactly mirrors that of Wakanda. As the emotional trailer for the MCU release teases, grief is at the centre of this story, further intensified by feelings of guilt, fear, rage and triumph.
The soundtrack for the new film aptly reflects that complex range of emotions. With assists from Rihanna (her first new solo single in six years), Tems, Amaarae, and a unique cohort of Black and brown artists from all over the diaspora, the project embodies the hurting but never broken spirit of Wakanda, as well as beautiful African and Mesoamerican cultures reflected in Wakanda Forever. Just like the film, this soundtrack is a powerful, heartfelt dedication to Chadwick Boseman, and to anyone who’s ever lost someone but still kept going.
Ahead, every song you’re going to fall in love with on the Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Rihanna, “Lift Me Up”
It’s been years since Rihanna hit us with an original solo song, but “Lift Me Up” is proof that she hasn’t lost her spark during her music sabbatical. Penned by Tems (who is also featured on the soundtrack), the new single is a moving lullaby tinged with equal parts grief and comfort — as well as some of Rihanna’s best vocals. Play this on a loop until R9 comes to pass the time.
DBN Gogo, Sino Msolo, Kamo Mphela, Young Stunna and Busiswa, “Love & Loyalty (Believe)”
Amapiano has gone global, and Wakanda is its next stop. This dance-worthy collaboration between some of South Africa’s best and brightest will have you on your feet (and maybe on TikTok) for all six minutes and 20 seconds. Report to the dance floor.
Burna Boy, “Alone”
Grammy-winner Burna Boy makes his second soundtrack appearance after the 2020 anthem that was “Ja Ara E” (Black Is King) with new song “Alone,” a moody tune about one man’s lonely journey through the world. A vibe — as usual.
Tems, “No Woman, No Cry”
Just when you thought that Bob Marley and The Wailers’ 1974 original song couldn’t get more emotional, alté cruise phenom Tems sprinkles her magic on it for the Wakanda Forever soundtrack. The result? A beautiful, devastating melody that will have you in tears before the movie even gets started.
Vivir Quintana and Mare Advertencia, “Árboles Bajo El Mar”
Equal parts poetry and battle cry, Vivir Quintana and Mare Advertencia’s haunting siren song about the world down below will lure you into the depths. (And you just might like what you find under the surface.)
Foudeqush and Ludwig Göransson, “Con La Brisa”
Swedish composer (and frequent Ryan Coogler collaborator) Ludwig Göransson is back with yet another banger for Wakanda Forever, this song warmly welcoming us into the glittering, otherworldly city of Talokan where anything is possible.
Snow Tha Product ft. E-40, “La Vida”
“La Vida” is a fun, cross-cultural celebration of Black and Brown power; newcomer Snow That Product leads the track, peppering it with rapid-fire English and Spanish, while E-40 takes us back to the Bay with old school West-coast verses.
Stormzy, “Interlude”
Grime star Stormzy gets in his sad boi bag for “Interlude,” slipping between singing and rapping for this grief-stricken monologue about traversing the world on his own. The road is long and lonely, he says, but still he moves onward.
Fireboy DML,“Coming Back For You”
Fireboy DML continues his winning streak with “Coming Back For You,” a spirited rallying cry marked by an ancestral chorus and the sounds of alté cruise.
Tobe Nwigwe and Fat Nwigwe, “They Want It, But No”
Houston, we made it! With finesse and a touch of braggadocio, musical couple Tobe and Fat Nwigwe resist the advances of the enemy in this heart-pumping, high speed chase.
ADN Maya Colectivo: Pat Boy, Yaalen K’uj, All Mayan Winik, “Laayli’ kuxa’ano’one”
Perhaps an allegory for the conflict at the heart of Wakanda Forever, “Laayli’ kuxa’ano’one” is an effortless fusion of ancient Mayan sounds and the spirit of hip hop, reminding us that there’s beauty in Black and brown cultures coming together.
OG DAYV featuring Future, “Limoncello”
Oakland meets Atlanta in this hip hop banger as OG DAYV and Future trade verses over a pure fire West coast beat.
Bloody Civilian ft. Rema, “Wake Up”
Afrobeat and alté cruise combine for a groovy, laidback tune featuring two Nigerian stars in the making as they wax poetic about finally waking up to their destiny as world changers.
Alemán ft. Rema, “Pantera”
Pidgin English, Spanish, elite verses – “Pantera” has it all. If you love rap (and can speak more than one language), you just may have found your new anthem.
“Jele” Performed by DBN Gogo, Sino Msolo, Kamo Mphela, Young Stunna and Busiswa
South African influence continues with even more amapiano synergy, thanks to this high-energy tune that pulls us back to the rich culture that so much of Wakanda is inspired by.
Blue Rojo, “Inframundo”
Blue Rojo’s vocals take on an otherworldly quality as he describes the beauty of the hidden world down below with passion and heart in this sweeping (but way too short) masterpiece.
calle x vida and Foudeqush, “No Digas Mi Nombre”
Calle x vida and Foudeqush put an angelic modern spin on classic Mexican mariachi music with “No Digas Mi Nombre,” a sonically pleasing fusion of old and new.
Guadalupe de Jesús Chan Poot, “Mi Pueblo”
With only the sounds of the waves crashing and the chirping of birds in the trees for an instrumental, singer-songwriter Guadalupe de Jesús Chan Poot closes out the Wakanda Forever soundtrack with a moving oration dedicated to her people.
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