Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album
In celebration of Black History month, director Shaka King released what critics say will be one of the biggest movies of the year. Judas and the Black Messiah is a biography of Fred Hampton, portrayed by Daniel Kaluuya.
Here’s the history you need to know:
Fred Hampton was a passionate Civil Rights activist and well-known figure of liberation and equality. He was recruited by the NAACP suburban youth division in high school and quickly ended up on the FBI’s agitator list, prior to even joining the Black Panther Party in 1968, which really had him on their radar.
The Black Panther Party was an African American revolutionary party founded in 1966 by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. Originally named The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, the Black Panthers sought to end police brutality and promote justice. Hampton was the chairman for the Black Panthers out of Chicago.
In 1969, Hampton and Mark Clark, who was also an active leader of the Black Panther Party, were fatally murdered in a police raid. In the middle of the night, a swarm of police unrightfully received a warrant to their apartment and initiated a violent attack.
For most of history, our media has been white-washed like many other social and political institutions in America. Films like Judas and the Black Messiah not only teach what our history classes left out, but highlight the talent and brilliance of Black artists, actors and filmmakers.
Here’s the music you need to know:
With the film’s release in theaters and on HBO Max, we got an expressive, heartfelt soundtrack. Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album features songs by H.E.R., A$AP Rocky, Jay-Z, Nipsey, Masego, Saba and more. This mix of artists and genres is dope and the soundtrack adds a beautiful addition to honor Hampton’s life and activism.
Standout tracks
The opener “Cointelpro/Dec 4” by Fred Hampton Jr. is a strong and passionate tribute to his father’s life. He sings verses of bravery over a smooth R&B beat.
H.E.R.’s single “Fight For You” is more jazzy R&B, sounding magical as per usual.
“What It Feels Like” is a collab between two legends, Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z. Nipsey died in a shooting in 2019 and his verse is an 8-year-old feature he had on a Tito Lopez album. Both rappers have a number of songs celebrating Blackness, and this powerful track reminds us that these old-school rappers unarguably drop the best bars.
Lil Durk’s “On Your Mind” and Polo’s “Last Man Standing” add a more modern rap appearance to the soundtrack and both songs are a big vibe.
The album winds down with SiR’s “Teach Me.” It’s slow and soulful, and his voice is angelic.
A$AP Rocky drops his first single in a while for this soundtrack, “Rich N**** Problems.” A$AP has ventured out of the music industry with other projects, so it's nice to hear him releasing music again and celebrating Black History Month.
Both the film and the soundtrack for Judas and the Black Messiah celebrate the courageous, honorable life of Fred Hampton. Music remains an amazing platform to educate, share stories, and bring people together.
