Little of his messaging is reflected in too-often vapid lyrics. But too much of the project demonstrates Hampton’s absence more than his presence. The soundtrack does its best to parallel the retelling of Hampton’s final years, and there are rousing moments that display elements of his militance and anti-carceral ethos, specifically the tracks from Black Thought, Rakim, Polo G, and White Dave. The Shaka King-directed film follows his efforts to unite Chicago-but also FBI asset William O’Neal’s infiltration of the Panthers, which led to Hampton’s murder at the hands of Chicago Police.
The Six Course Music Group/RCA Records-released compilation is attached to a movie about Chairman Fred Hampton, a Black Panther who was assassinated in 1970.
The 22-track project, full of songs being billed as inspired by the film, has its moments, but it doesn’t properly champion Fred Hampton’s legacy as a fiery orator, staunch critic of American imperialism, and revolutionary socialist. In January, Madlib told The Guardian, “Rap right now should be like Public Enemy-but it’s just not there.” The recently released Judas and the Black Messiah soundtrack would have been a perfect chance for him to be proved wrong, but it affirmed his sentiment.
