As expected the Marvel Studios panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con brought fans huge news regarding theMarvel Cinematic Universe, but more specifically, the darling of the night was the sequel to 2018’sBlack Panther,Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, directed byRyan Coogler. With the film’s release coming up fast, premiering on November 11, the attendees in Hall H got an exclusive first look at thebrand-new official trailerfor the sequel, which is an incredibly raw two minutes that show the aftermath ofthe loss of their king, T’Challa, played by the lateChadwick Boseman. The trailer is set to the track titled “Wakanda Forever Prologue,” and Marvel Studios just announced that the new music will be available on July 25.
The song that plays in the background of the trailer is an emotional rendition ofBob Marley’s 1974 piece “No Woman, No Cry,” covered by Nigerian artistTems. As the trailer’s scenes move from the devastation of King T’Challa’s death to the reclamation of power, the song becomes a remix, featuring songwriter, producer and rapperKendrick Lamar. The lyrics are mournful, but call on hope, saying, “No woman, no cry,” as Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Shuri (Letitia Wright) and Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) are seen grieving. It goes on to say, “In this great future you can’t forget your past, so dry your tears as I say: everything’s gonna be alright now.” Tems continues to sing those words, “everything’s gonna be alright,” as the music swells and a soundbite from Lamar’s single “Alright” begins to overlap with the vocals.
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“Alright” is a track off of Lamar’s 2015 Grammy-winning albumTo Pimp A Butterfly, and rings as an anthem of hope and strength in solidarity. Mixed into “Prologue” it starts as a mantra and becomes a statement. The inclusion of Lamar on the track could indicate that the singer may be returning to produceWakanda Forever’s soundtrack after his work on theBlack Panther: The Albumsoundtrack. The album was produced by Lamar, who also performed on it, andAnthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. After it’s release, the soundtrack topped the Billboard 200, featuring a number of artists includingBabes Wodumo,Saudi,Future,Travis Scott,Jorja Smith,SZAandThe Weeknd. A parallel of the film, each song told a story and held different perspectives, providing a duality like that of the two rivaling Black Panthers, King T’Challa and Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan).
The singer for the film’s rendition of “No Woman, No Cry” is the Nigerian songwriter, singer and producer known professionally as Tems (Temilade Openiyi). Most recently this young mogul featured onWizKid’s “Made in Lagos,” and then onDrake’s “Fountains,” before releasing her own original EP “If Orange Was a Place” and snagging a record label deal with Sony’s RCA and Since ‘93. With her own hands in production, it would be fitting for Tems to take the reins onWakanda Forever, as the women of Wakanda will do in the wake of T’Challa’s passing.
Joining Nyong’o, Wright and Bassett inBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverareTenoch Huertaas Namor,Danai Guriraas Okoye,Winston Dukeas M’Baku,Dominique Thorneas Riri Williams,Martin Freemanas Everett K. Ross andFlorence Kasumbaas Ayo.
Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverwillpremiere on November 11. As of right now there is no word on who else will be featured on the soundtrack, nor who will be producing. “Wakanda Forever Prologue” will be released on July 25. You can preorder the trackhere, and check out the official SDCCBlack Panther: Wakanda Forevertrailer below:
