Photo by Marvel Studios/Disney
Hit play below to listen to our extended Arts Alive feature with Ludwig Göransson discussing his score to Black Panther.
Coogler’s next film was Creed, which continued the story of Sylvester Stallone’s famous character Rocky, by focusing on the young son of his old opponent and friend, Apollo Creed. It gave Göransson an opportunity to write big, orchestral, thematic movie music—but he also wove in the musical language of its young, black characters. He comes by hip-hop honestly, as a regular performer, songwriter, and producer with the rapper Childish Gambino. (Their song “Redbone” was nominated for a Grammy last month.)
Composer Ludwig Göransson with KUSC’s Tim Greiving
Black Panther is Göransson’s biggest canvas yet. It’s a giant action-adventure superhero movie, with huge fight scenes and urban car chases. Most of it is set in the fictional African country of Wakanda, which is built with stunning futuristic technology. The score is full of big themes, African musical traditions, and even more hip-hop. If you weren’t aware of Ludwig Göransson before, you sure are now.
Black Panther is in theaters now. The score by Ludwig Göransson is available in stores and online.
