'Black Panther' Soundtrack Set to Top Billboard 200
The Kendrick Lamar-led Black Panther soundtrack is set to land at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Forecasters believe that the project, which dropped via Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope on Feb. 9, will likely surpass 100,000 equivalent album units to cement its place atop the coveted albums chart in its first week out, as per Billboard.
King Kendrick curated the soundtrack, featuring music from and inspired by the Marvel superhero film, along with Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith and the TDE family. Five of its tracks feature K-Dot, while more include his uncredited vocals.
Top Dawg artists like ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and SZA also make appearances alongside 2 Chainz, Khalid, Swae Lee, and The Weeknd, among others.
Black Panther
Respect to all the artist/producers that allowed me to execute a sound for the soundtrack.
The concept of producing and composing a project other than my own has always been ideal
I appreciate the experience love ones
Continue to be great
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) February 11, 2018
“Respect to all the artist/producers that allowed me to execute a sound for the soundtrack,” Kendrick recently tweeted. “The concept of producing and composing a project other than my own has always been ideal. I appreciate the experience love ones. Continue to be great.”
If Black Panther tops the Billboard 200, it will be the second soundtrack to do so this year, following The Greatest Showman. It’s the first time two soundtracks peaked at No. 1 in the same year since 2015’s Descendants, Pitch Perfect 2, Furious 7, and Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1.
The album has also garnered Hot 100 success. Kendrick and SZA’s “All the Stars” peaked at No. 31 on the chart, while K-Dot and The Weeknd’s “Pray for Me” just opened at No. 7.
Black Panther: The Album supports the Ryan Coogler-directed film, which hits theaters Friday (Feb. 16).