The highly talked about Black Panther soundtrack which was produced by Kendrick Lamar and features a handful of South Africans is finally here and we're not disappointed at all!
Social media has been reacting to the tracks all day, starting with 'Redemption,' the song which Babes Wodumo features on alongside Zacari.
Okay Black Panther soundtrack is heat. But Babes Wodumo with "Oh my Wurd, Oh my Gursh, Oh my Wurd" as an intro on "Redemption"... eh pic.twitter.com/e5EzQaeaIA
— Thuts (@luluthuga) February 9, 2018
The opening line is a weird shift from Zacari's mellow vocals over a vibey afro-carribean beat but as she gets into the groove of the music, her verse actually grows on you if you let it.
Zacari - Redemption feat. Babes Wodumo#blackpanther album pic.twitter.com/AZc10IAdXL
— SocialTrends🇿🇦™ (@SocialTrendsZA) February 9, 2018
When you are watching #BlackPanther and Babes Wodumo comes on with that “Everybody Say Kikirikiki!!” pic.twitter.com/FjkM0sJUHY
— The Ultimate (@TheUltimate_ZA) February 9, 2018
Babes Wodumo legit said " everybody say kikiri Kikiki " #Redemption #BlackPanther #BlackPantherTheAlbum pic.twitter.com/sY2JQ8KQeu
— Dora Milaje Felicity💎 (@Felicity_M2) February 9, 2018
Tweeps were NOT impressed that Mampintsha managed to make it on to the song with Babes however...
Babes Wodumo can never escape Mampintsha. How did he sneak in the Black Panther album?
— HIS SEXCELLENCY (@BrioCvx) February 9, 2018
After finding out that Mampintsha is on Babes Wodumo's track on the #BlackPanther album, I think we must just learn to live with the fact that "Babes Wodumo" is a duo.
— Prince (@jikwanaprince) February 9, 2018
Nigga really added his Verse on that Babes Wodumo Black Panther song Lmao the Audacity
— ㅤ▫Suℳ Yung Ho (@quency_mbonani) February 9, 2018
Babes Wodumo can never escape Mampintsha. How did he sneak in the Black Panther album?
— Ndu Mathaba (@Ndu_M) February 9, 2018
Me when I heard Babes Wodumo come on in the "Redemption" track vs When I heard uMampintsha ezimpintsha in a song he shouldn't be on... #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/x0dKXZvvul
— ANDILE NDLOVU (@Vida15) February 9, 2018
...while some hated the song altogether.
I’m here for our local artists being given an international platform to shine, but that ‘Redemption’ song featuring Babes Wodumo on the Black Panther soundtrack is trash. 🤷🏽♂️
— chicago (@_MrBentleySA) February 9, 2018
Babes Wodumo was sooo off on Redemption 💀💀 CRINGES! #BlackPanther #BlackPantherTheAlbum
— AJ• (@JonaAndile_7) February 9, 2018
Babes was not the only local artist on the soundtrack however. Ambitiouz' Records Saudi features on a track titled 'X' alongside ScHoolBoy Q and 2 Chainz. I don't know about the rest of you but I was drawn in right at the beginning with Kendricks vocals which provided the perfect transition into a bangin' beat. Speaking of transitions, Saudi comes in right on beat and switches his flow as effortlessly as he switches between English and Zulu.
Another noteworthy mention goes to Eastern-Cape born, underground artist, Yugen Blakrok who features on a song titled 'Opps' alongside Vince Staples. 'Opps' has a very electric feel to it coupled with rapid-fire verses reminiscent of Azealia Banks' music (not to say that she is similar to Yugen in any way).
Lastly, there is the track Sjava features on, titled 'Seasons' alongside Mozzy and U.S. artist Reason. There is absolutely nothing bad that can be said about the ballad which is a beautiful mix of hip-hop, RnB and Sjava's Maskandi style singing. The most painful thing about this track however is that our Reason (who everybody initially thought was featured on the album) would have fit perfectly on such a track.
Take a listen to the album below and hit us up on social media @ZAlebs and let us know what you think:
Main image credit: instagram.com/babes_wodumo