The Mary Sue: This featurette from Genius walks through the collaborative composition process for the Black Panther score. In addition to Kendrick Lamar’s album, composer Ludwig Göransson and Senegalese musician Baaba Maal worked together to give the film its unique sound.
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The most interesting thing about this video and article was the physical research that happened before the composition and the elements of composition themselves. The research done in Africa inspired the composers choices in instruments and then went even further to inspire the rhythm and instrumentation of the compositions. I always find it really interesting to see how artist get their inspiration. Inspiration can come from anywhere. And it seems like in this case the inspiration for the sore of Black Panther was from the people of Africa. The vocals on this score are chilling to. Goransson’s description of the effect of the outcry of Babbasa at the beginning of his shows perfectly translates to the chilling and powerful effect of the vocals this film. In this score, the elements of design and composition come across perfectly. This is in part because we have preconceived notions about things, for example the regalness of horns, and Goansson played on that within his composition to take the listener to the place that he directed them. This score is beautiful and perfectly complements the cultural significance and power of this film.
I had the opportunity to watch this movie last night and it was probably one of the best decisions I've made since coming to this school. The movie itself breaks boundaries in every sense of the word, but it particularly has one of the best compositions I've ever seen. In the words of Kumail Nanjiani, "You don’t realize how similar superhero movies are to each other until you see one that breaks the mold". It's the first marvel movie that properly incorporated rap into their soundtrack. I really appreciate the level of detail that the composers paid to to the authentic sounds of the tribes that inhabit that area. Kendrick Lamar is the perfect artist to bring this story to intuition, his artistry is greatly connected to both the history of African Americans and the history of Africa itself, which is exactly the fine line that the movie walks. I hope that the sequel is able to surpass the current movie in terms of soundtrack and composition, I see big things in the future of this franchise.
First of all, I saw this movie yesterday and it was incredible. The visuals, the sound, the script, the set… the WHOLE SHEBANG. I was amazed. Ludwig Goransson is an incredible composer. While I know that there is a chunk of music that is from Kendrick Lamar, Goransson did something really amazing. He went to Africa, not the whole continent, but he spoke with an African artist to get real, authentic sounds. One of the best thing a composer can do is admit their lack of knowledge and do legit research and this guy DID THAT. In a really cool way too. What an incredible composer and what an incredible score. I’m still processing the caliber and beauty that was the movie Black Panther. When Goransson starts talking about the talking drum that was some great insight into a native and authentic instrument. It’s clear to me how well thought out each note and sound of the Black Panther composition was. Every sound had a purpose and the sounds carried the story.
I absolutely loved this movie. One thing that I am so impressed by with the designers of this movie is that they did research and in the case of the composer, he actually went to Africa to do his research. I have found that there is no better way of learning about the culture, customs, sounds, and more of a place than to be there. Research online just doesn’t cut it. So, I am filled with joy to hear that the sound comes directly from the people living in Africa not only in inspiration but by people there too. The research that goes into something like this is always of such high quality so that they can turn out pieces that are of extremely high quality. I find sound to be what drives my emotions and the visuals are what aid in that process. The sound for Black Panther was incredible, real, and was doing just that; driving my emotions and creating an atmosphere that was so right for this film. I believed the film turned out well in its entirety and am excited for more to come.
I think Ludwig Göransson did a fantastic job on this movie. I feel so respected and admired by how much time and research he put into this movie. I have noticed a trend thought out all the designer on this movie. They all had to do an enormous amount of leaning to really connect to the culture of Africa. And that definitely did not stop with the soundtrack. I am glad true modern day African artist and musicians were consulted on this more and help influence it. To me that is a very important fact. I was also very interested in the process Ludwig Göransson took to compose the soundtrack. I don’t think I knew what that process was like. I wonder if this is normal or unique to Ludwig. The idea of pulling sounds from different sources and making the close to finial score, only to transpose the score and have it professionally recorded it surprised me. Now I know a little bit more of how movies work!
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