Judas and the Black Messiah (soundtrack)

Judas and the Black Messiah is the soundtrack to the identically named 2021 biographical crime-drama film. Two soundtracks — Judas and the Black Messiah (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), consisting of film score composed by Mark Isham and Craig Harris, and Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album, consisting of incorporated film songs, were released by WaterTower Music and RCA Records on February 12, 2021, the same day as the film's theatrical and premium video-on-demand release on HBO Max.[1] The soundtrack and score received positive critical acclaim.[2] The original song "Fight for You", which was featured in the film score album, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Judas and the Black Messiah (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Judas and the Black Messiah (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
 
Film score by
ReleasedFebruary 12, 2021
Recorded2020–2021
Length31:33
LabelWaterTower Music

The film's score was composed by Mark Isham and Craig Harris.[3] The Inflated Tear is a Roland Kirk track from 1968.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Inflated Tear – Opening"Mark Isham0:45
2."News Reels"Quelle Chris and Chris Keys0:38
3."FBI"Mark Isham0:59
4."The Inflated Tear – The Car, the Club"Mark Isham1:14
5."Crowns Creeping"Mark Isham1:15
6."We Got a Rat" (alternate version)Mark Isham and Craig Harris1:39
7."How Much Money Do You Make?"Mark Isham0:47
8."Fred Visits the Crowns Church"Quelle Chris and Chris Keys0:38
9."Bill Is Recognized"Mark Isham and Craig Harris2:38
10."The Inflated Tear – Judy Has Questions"Mark Isham3:02
11."We Got a Rat"Mark Isham and Craig Harris1:17
12."We Got a Snitch"Mark Isham1:24
13."Prison Life"Mark Isham2:01
14."Jimmy Enters Store"Mark Isham, Craig Harris, Quelle Chris, and Chris Keys0:58
15."Rooftop"Mark Isham, Quelle Chris, and Chris Keys4:14
16."Rebuilding"Craig Harris0:51
17."Jake Wants Answers"Mark Isham, Quelle Chris, and Chris Keys0:35
18."Gun Battle"Mark Isham, Quelle Chris, and Chris Keys3:02
19."I’m Out"Mark Isham0:33
20."The Inflated Tear – Bill's Past Comes Back"Mark Isham0:37
21."The Inflated Tear – Fred Hampton Funeral"Mark Isham2:03

Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album

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Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedFebruary 12, 2021
Length65:11
LabelRCA
Producer
Singles from Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album
  1. "Fight for You"
    Released: February 3, 2021
  2. "What It Feels Like"
    Released: February 16, 2021[4]

An accompanying 22-track music album titled Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album came out on the day of the film's digital release, with songs from many prominent rappers, such as Jay-Z, ASAP Rocky and Nas, as well as a posthumous appearance by Nipsey Hussle.[5] The Inspired Album, was later released through double vinyl by Waxwork Records on April 2, 2021.[6] It features an original song titled "Fight for You" performed by H.E.R., who also co-wrote it with D'Mile and Tiara Thomas.[7]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Cointelpro/Dec 4" (Fred Hampton Jr.)
D. Brooks Exclusive3:20
2."Fight for You" (H.E.R.)D'Mile4:30
3."EPMD" (Nas)Hit-Boy2:33
4."Welcome to America" (Black Thought featuring C.S. Armstrong and Angela Hunte)Sean C3:40
5."What It Feels Like" (Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z)4:35
6."Broad Day" (Hit-Boy)
  • Hollis
  • Rafael Brown
  • Eugene Booker Jr.
  • Hit-Boy
  • Audio Anthem
2:58
7."Plead the .45th" (Smino and Saba)
  • Groove
  • Phoelix
2:20
8."Somethin' Ain't Right" (Masego featuring JID and Rapsody)3:22
9."Letter 2 U" (BJ the Chicago Kid)
  • Bryan Sledge
  • Jairus Mozee
  • Christopher Goodman
  • Hal Davis
  • Herman Griffith
3:05
10."On Your Mind" (Lil Durk)
  • Lam
  • Dmac
  • Andy R
2:43
11."Appraise" (White Dave)
  • Noah Coogler
  • Hollis
Hit-Boy3:05
12."All Black" (G Herbo)
2:52
13."I Declare War" (Nardo Wick)Cardo2:31
14."No Profanity" (Pooh Shiesty)Skywalker Og2:10
15."Last Man Standing" (Polo G)
  • DJ Ayo
  • FrankGotThePack
2:08
16."Respect My Mind" (Dom Kennedy)
Mike & Keys3:44
17."Revolutionary" (G Herbo featuring Bump J)
  • Corbett
  • Hit-Boy
3:14
18."Teach Me" (Sir)
  • Harris
  • DK The Punisher
3:11
19."Contagious" (Safe and Kiana Ledé)
Trackside3:39
20."Rich Nigga Problems" (ASAP Rocky)
  • DDot Omen
  • Dauphin Amir
3:37
21."Outro" (Judas and the Black Messiah)HollisHit-Boy1:08
22."Black Messiah" (Rakim)Rakim4:09
Total length:65:11

Reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic70/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash9/10[9]
HipHopDX3.6/5[10]
Pitchfork5.5/10[11]

From the critical reviews for the soundtrack, Metacritic assigned a score of 70/100.[8] Clash, gave 9/10 to the soundtrack, stating a verdict: "An emphatic show of force that frequently taps into outright brilliance. As an album it's not without fault, but as a cultural event it's largely without peer."[9] HiphopDX gave a mixed review saying "The Inspired Album could’ve benefited from more carefully curated content instead of some of the tone-deaf material that wound up on the project".[10] Pitchfork stated "It’s hard to believe that the bulk of the project was inspired by anything that Hampton said. Instead, it exploits his image to peddle liberation-lite Billboard hits over anything remotely revolutionary. It’s not all terrible."[11]

Chart performance

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Accolades

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Award Date Category Recipients Result Ref.
Academy Awards April 25, 2021 Best Original Song "Fight for You" (H.E.R., Dernst Emile II and Tiara Thomas) Won [16]
Black Reel Awards April 11, 2021 Outstanding Original Song Nominated [17]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards March 7, 2021 Best Song Nominated [18]
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021 Best Original Song Nominated [19]
Grammy Awards April 3, 2022 Song of the Year Nominated [20]
Best Traditional R&B Performance Won
Best Song Written for Visual Media Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards January 27, 2021 Best Original Song in a Feature Film Nominated [21]
NAACP Image Awards February 26, 2022 Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album Judas and the Black Messiah Soundtrack (Mark Isham and Craig Harris) Nominated [22]

References

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  1. ^ "Judas and the Black Messiah (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Craig Harris and Mark Isham on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  2. ^ "'Judas and the Black Messiah' Director Shaka King Breaks Down The Movie's Killer Soundtrack". Decider. February 16, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Davis, Clayton (January 7, 2021). "Oscars Predictions: Best Original Score – James Newton Howard Guns for His First Oscar for 'News of the World'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Crossover Radio Music News, Charts, Top Songs, Stations". All Access. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "Stream 'Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album' f/ Jay-Z, ASAP Rocky, Nipsey Hussle, and More". Complex Networks. February 12, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  6. ^ "Various Artists - Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album - Vinyl LPx2". Rough Trade. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  7. ^ "'Judas and the Black Messiah' to Feature Original Song 'Fight for You' by H.E.R." Film Music Reporter. December 30, 2020. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album". Metacritic. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Murray, Robin (February 12, 2021). "Judas And The Black Messiah: The Inspired Album". Clash. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Eustice, Kyle (March 19, 2021). "Review: 'Judas & The Black Messiah' OST Benefits From JAY-Z, Nas, Polo G ... But Lacks Consistency". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Kariisa, Jessica (February 18, 2021). "Various Artists: Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  12. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums Chart – February 27, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "Billboard 200 Chart – February 27, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  14. ^ "Soundtracks Chart – February 27, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "Soundtracks – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  16. ^ "The full list of 2021 Oscar nominations". Guardian. March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  17. ^ Amanda N'Duka (February 18, 2021). "'One Night in Miami', 'Judas and the Black Messiah' Lead Nominations For 21st Annual Black Reel Awards". Deadline. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Davis, Clayton (February 8, 2021). "Critics Choice Awards: 'Mank' Leads With 12 Nominations, Netflix Makes History With Four Best Picture Nominees". Variety. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  19. ^ Bahiana, Ana Maria (February 3, 2021). "Nominations for the 78th Golden Globe Awards (2021) Announced". Golden Globe Awards. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  20. ^ Enos, Morgan (November 23, 2021). "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Recording Academy. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  21. ^ Grein, Paul (January 27, 2021). "Diane Warren & James Newton Howard Among Top Winners at 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  22. ^ Spivey, Kemberlie (January 19, 2022). "2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List". Forbes. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
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