Kendrick Lamar & SZA Show The Gorgeousness Of Wakanda In Their New Video

Hip-Hop is poised to win big at the box office when Black Panther hits theaters later this month, replete with a soundtrack boasting features from most of TDE’s roster, Vince Staples, Anderson .Paak and more. On Friday, February 9, the official soundtrack drops, and with it an executive producer credit for Kendrick Lamar. The OST’s lead single is “All The Stars,” which features Grammy-nominated SZA. At its core, it’s a love song, but not one limited to romance. Instead, it echoes the themes of the film, which include empowerment and retribution.

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Today (February 6), the two superstars shared the music video for “All The Stars” and the love song’s subject becomes clear. The people of Wakanda, the fictional African homeland of superhero Black Panther, play a prominent role. In fact, the continent itself makes an appearance, illustrated as a starry galaxy of its own in the video directed by Dave Meyers and the little homies. From the set design to costuming, African elements punctuate the visual narrative, which casts Kendrick and SZA as galactic travelers. The opening scene is gloomy at first glance, with menacing clouds and a lightning storm in the distance. Kendrick is shrouded in dark clothing and is surfing atop a literal sea of people, but eventually vivid splashes of color and energetic dancers electrify the scenes. Literal black panthers are employed while SZA stars in a series of montages that paint her as a goddess, warrior and everyday woman of Wakanda. The video ends with a powerful scene in which Kendrick appears in a temple in front of four Black women (clearly meant to represent deities) who tower over him.

Black Panther hits theaters nationwide on February 16.