The Sound of Culture

By Maiya Sinclair

They say that if paintings and pictures decorate the empty space on a wall, music is used to decorate empty time.

Music is a beautiful way to tell a story, sometimes one without even words. Movies like Black Panther, The Photograph, and the Bodyguard are amazing as stand alone narrative pieces. When you closely look at the scores and soundtracks, it pulls it off the screen and into your heart allowing you to hear and see it in a different way.

Follow me….close your eyes and think about the last movie you saw, allow yourself to be brought into the theater. Did you hear a familiar song and find yourself bopping your head to the familiar notes, or did you ask Siri to tell you what song was playing so you can add it to your playlist?

Let’s take a closer look into these quintessential films and their accompanying sounds. And, hey you never know. You may walk away with a new playlist:

First up we have one of the most iconic musicals ever, The Wiz. I know we can all remember singing “Ease on Down the Road” and wishing we could catch one of those famous taxis. Numbers like “He’s the Wizard,” “Home,” and “Brand New Day” bring back feelings of nostalgia and warmth. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Mable King’s “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” as allowing us to understand her character’s mental space after losing her sister. Quincy Jones was and is still a musical genius as he worked to create a score and original music that gave us hope, magic and love.

Easing on down into number 2 we have a clear standout classic, Purple Rain. In this film we get “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,’’ and the ever in rotation featured title, “Purple Rain.” Prince gives so much emotion in his music and whenever I hear “Beautiful Ones,” I always remember the agony he felt when he realized Appolonia could possibly love another. That’s what we need, music that forces us over emotional cliffs. But let’s not look past Morris Day’s “Jungle Love” and Vanity’s “Sex Shooter.” I know I couldn’t be the only one who wanted a satin cape with black long satin gloves…..It’s giving me Vanity!!!

Whitney Houston is the greatest vocalist of all time. Her voice was literally….IT. This movie surrounds a beautiful superstar, a risky romance, and a few nearly successful assasination attempts. While the plot is riveting, so is the sound track. Whitney gave us “Run to You,” “Queen of the Night,’’ “I Have Nothing,” I’m Every Woman,” and the ballad she is forever known for “I Will Always Love You.” Pass the tissues please *sniffs*

The production that Kenny “BabyFace” Edmonds put into creating the sound and feel of this movie was next level. He gave us the classic feelings of women who had been through something but had found a way to hope for the future. Of course Whitney lent her vocals and acting chops...she gave us “Exhale” (Shoop Shoop). Toni Braxton wanted us to “Let it Flow.”Brandy had us racing home so we could think about boys in “Sittin’ Up In My Room,” playing Mary J. Blidge proclaiming we “Not Gon’ Cry.” We saw this movie and we’ve been shoop shooping ever since.

And the Winner for Best Original Song from the 2006 Grammys iiiiis? It’s “Hard Out Here For A Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia. Now it was an easy choice for this to make the list. John Singleton is known for creating movies with excellent soundtracks. Having Three 6 Mafia added an element of rawness that would be missed. The Hustle and Flow Soundtrack is full of down south heavy hitters like Lil Scrappy, Boosie Badazz, E-40, 8ball & MJG, Webbie and Trina to round out the list. It’s very clear that the movie was set in the south and the soundtrack matched. It’s giving….real, gritty and powerful.

Wakanda Forever! Black Panther is one for the culture. We loved the Afro-beat touches throughout the film and the accompanying soundtrack. Ryan Coogler enlisting Kendrick Lamar to produce the soundtrack was genius. Of course we are familiar with “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and Sza as that was the title track but some of my other favorites were, “Kings Dead” with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake, “Redemption” by Zacari and “Bloody Waters” with Ab-Soul, Anderson Paak and James Blake. They are important additions as they take us into the darker side of the film and complement the storyline of a villain who wasn’t quite a villain but just a misunderstood child looking for his people.

Beyonce really stepped up to the task to deliver us an album for the ages. The Lion King: The Gift was truly just that, a gift. I love EVERY. SINGLE. SONG. but to name a few, “Bigger,” “Water,” “My Power,” are essential because Nala had to force Simba to realize who he was, as the song says “They’ll Never Take My Power.” The special attention that she took with writing “Brown Skin Girl” has forever left an imprint on my heart to sing to my daughter as her first lullaby. Lastly, “Spirit” has a very intentional feel to it. The choir adds a nice touch to it. *Scuse me while I go get my choir robe*

The Photograph really touched my soul, but the music is what really makes me swoon. The music that Robert Glasper crafted and selected to carry the story of the film was brilliant and added so much emphasis on the NOLA roots and the Mardi Gras. Some of his amazing choices were “Umi Says” by Mos Def, “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Al Green, “Fady Away’’ by Lucky Daye, “Caught Up In the Rapture” by Aunty Anita Baker and “Comfortable” by H.E.R. The most swoon worthy song is “Michael Helps Mae” written by Robert Glapser himself. The best part of the music for me was his use of “Twin” which was created by the NOLA native and Jazz Trumpeter Christian ATunde Adjuah Scott. “Twin” is about his brother but I think it speaks to the twin flames that Michael and Mae are.

These are just a few examples of how songs truly highlight the importance of having a strong score to accentuate the story line. So often do we watch movies with bland elevator music while something pivotal is happening. But with these eight, we see the musical genius of the composer as they meticulously chose songs to jerk our tear ducts or make us jump out of our seats in disbelief. That’s why these are so pivotal. Check out the accompanying “Sound of Culture” playlist, as my gift to you!