2 500 hours, 250 musicians, 5 countries and more – Making the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack

A scene from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By is the official soundtrack title for the sequel of the Marvel movie.
The 19-track soundtrack is produced by the director of both films, Ryan Coogler and award-winning composer Ludwig Göransson.
It took over 2500 hours to record, which involved six studios across three continents and five countries.
Here’s everything you need to know before you listen to it.

The complete soundtrack for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will release a week before the film itself – here’s everything you need to know before you listen to it.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By features over 40 international artists who recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, Mexico City, London and Los Angeles. These artists include Rihanna, Tems, Fireboy DML, OG DAYV Ft. Future, CKay Ft. PinkPantheress, E-40 and many more.

The first single off the soundtrack, Lift Me Up by Rihanna, was released on Friday, 28 October. It is the first song the megastar released in six years and has since become the most added song in US radio history, amassing the most single-day spins and the largest single-day audience, per a press statement.

The 19-track soundtrack is produced by the director of both films, Ryan Coogler and award-winning composer Ludwig Göransson and will be released on Friday, 4 November.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By is Coogler and Göransson’s fourth cinematic collaboration. The duo set out to create an innovative soundscape where Göransson says, “The songs and score are one.”

The two artists have discussed this approach since attending USC Film School and finally made it a reality with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

In what became a massive labour of love, Göransson spent over 2500 hours recording the score and soundtrack – which involved six studios across three continents and five countries. Throughout the film, the audience will hear over 250 musicians, two orchestras, two choirs and over 40 vocalists.

Coogler was intimately involved in the creation of the music for the film, from co-writing lyrics on Rihanna’s track to suggesting the cover of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry performed by Nigerian singer/songwriter Tems and bridged together with Kendrick Lamar’s Alright for the film’s instantly viral trailer.

“Ryan and I talked about the importance of creating an immersive journey of sound and voice. If we used a song in the film, we wanted it to be the entire song and to be connected to the story. Thematically, we wanted to move the audience from grief to celebration. When you listen to the soundtrack, you can close your eyes and relive the experience of the movie. That was the intention.”

— Ludwig Göransson on creating the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.

Given that the story is inspired by Nigerian and Mesoamerican cultures, recording sessions were set up in Lagos, Nigeria, and Mexico City, Mexico, as well as Abbey Road Studios in London.

While in Mexico City, Göransson worked closely with music archaeologist Alejandro Rojas to explore and research Mayan music. Instruments native to Nigerian and Mesoamerican cultures were featured in creating the soundscape.

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By tracklist:

1. Lift Me Up, performed by Rihanna

2. Love & Loyalty (Believe), performed by DBN Gogo, Sino Msolo, Kamo Mphela, Young Stunna and Busiswa

3. Alone, performed by Burna Boy

4. No Woman No Cry, performed by Tems

5. Árboles Bajo El Mar, performed by Vivir Quintana and Mare Advertencia

6. Con La Brisa, performed by Foudeqush and Ludwig Göransson

7. La Vida, performed by Snow Tha Product featuring E-40

8. Interlude, performed by Stormzy

9. Coming Back For You, performed by Fireboy DML

10. They Want It, But No, performed by Tobe Nwigwe and Fat Nwigwe

11. Laayli’ kuxa’ano’one, performed by ADN Maya Colectivo: Pat Boy, Yaalen K’uj, All Mayan Winik