Music review: Black Panther: The Album

Hot on the heels of the latest addition to the Marvel cinematic canon, Black Panther: The Album is a meticulously crafted artefact, curated by rap prophet Kendrick Lamar, bringing to bear his knack for fusing the personal and political.

Like its parent film, this is a stirring celebration of afro-futurism, as Lamar winds his way through widescreen melodrama (All the Stars), snarling menace (Yugen Blakrok - Opps) and an overriding spirit of defiance (Paramedic!) resulting in a most worthy, righteous companion piece.

• Kendrick Lamar (executive producer). Black Panther: The Album. Universal/TDE/Aftermath. 
• ★★★★

Single download: Vince Staples, Yugen Blakrok - Opps

For those who like: Kendrick, Vince Staples, Jay-Z's American Gangster

 - John Hayden