The Birth of A Nation is going to be a big deal. Make no mistake, it already is, but only a handful of people lucky enough to attend festivals have seen it while the controversy around Nate Parker’s past rape trial have possibly eclipsed the film.
On October 7, all of that changes. Parker’s directorial debut finally hits theaters and us common folk get to finally see what all the fuss is about. The most anticipated movie of the season deserves an equally hyped soundtrack and once you see this tracklist… well, the lineup speaks for itself.
1. “Go Tell Em” — Vic Mensa
2. “Black Moses” — Meek Mill & Pusha T (feat. Priscella Renea)
3. “Whip & A Chain” — 2 Chainz
4. “Oh Lord” — Gucci Mane & Lil Wayne
5. “On My Own” — Lecrae & Leon Bridges
6. “Raise Hell” — Sir The Baptist (feat. Killer Mike)
7. “Bloodline” — Georgia Ku
8. “Stand” — Trey Songz
9. “Queen” — Ne-Yo
10. “Live Forever” — Wale & Anthony Hamilton –
11. “The Icarus” — KAMAU
12. “Sins Of Our Fathers” — The Game & Marsha Ambrosia
13. “Firebird” — Marko Penn & Janine
14. “Forward” — K Michelle
15. “War” — Nas (feat. Raye)
16. “Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray” — Wiley College Choir
Looking at the stars they’ve assembled, it makes me wonder what happened to “the soundtrack.” For you new school cats, the soundtrack used to be an event. It wasn’t just a group of songs thrown together for the hell of it, but functioned as an actual album with songs featured in the movie and inspired by it.
Above The Rim, New Jersey Drive, Rush Hour, Men In Black, Batman, Juice, Superfly, and yes, even American Gangster. These albums didn’t just serve as a way to promote the movie or showcase a new artist–like Ja Rule in ’98–but provided music that served the movie. Look at the song titles up there, think about the movie they’re representing, and every single one of them seems to fit like that thing you put on a hand when it’s cold outside. Nothing here seems to exist for the sake of it, right down to the artists themselves.
Obviously our buying habits have changed since Will Smith told us the Men In Black were galaxy defenders, but there’s something to be said for not putting together a glorified mixtape and slapping a movie title on it. When done right, it supplements the film. Where would Superfly be without Curtis Mayfield? Tim Burton’s Batman was huge, but adding Prince’s flavor to it put the movie and the soundtrack in front of people who probably would’ve ignored it otherwise. The New Jersey Drive soundtrack was so influential in March ’95, that Tommy Boy decided to do it again that April. Plus, “Funky Piano” is the greatest opening title song in the history of opening title songs, so there’s that.
This snippet we have of Meek and King Push on “Black Moses” looks to be getting back to the musicians wanting to make music related to the movie rather than just make music. It has the feel of a gospel song, which is fitting as Nat Turner found his strength in preaching the word of God. Like Moses, he believed God chose him to lead his people out of slavery and stopped at nothing to get the job done.
Don’t take my word for it though. Stream the snippet and be sure to keep your eyes open for the full track. The Birth of A Nation soundtrack will be free at last the same day as the film, October 7.
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