Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
Entertainment
Evan F. Moore

Lil Durk, Polo G, G Herbo featured on ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ soundtrack

Rapper Lil Durk (center) is one of the Chicago artists featured on the “Judas and the Black Messiah” soundtrack. | Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for McDonald’s

The soundtrack for the film “Judas and the Black Messiah” has an undeniably Chicago sound.

In a Tuesday Twitter post from RCA Records, the film, which details the final days of Black Panther Illinois chapter chairman Fred Hampton, and William O’Neal, an informant who reported the charismatic leader’s dealings to the FBI, features Chicago creatives.

Anywhere There's People, There's Power. Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album. Out Friday, 2/12. pic.twitter.com/gmmu0MNXyN

— rcarecords (@RCARecords) February 9, 2021

Polo G, Lil Durk, G Herbo, Smino, Saba, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Bump J are the soundtrack’s local contingent.

Jay-Z, Nas, Rakim, Nipsey Hussle, Black Thought, A$AP Rocky, Rapsody and others round out the film’s musical inspiration.

Chicago rapper Noname tweeted she was invited to be a part of the “Judas” soundtrack but reportedly declined after seeing the film.

Chicago rapper Noname (shown performing on day three of the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park in 2018) says “Judas and the Black Messiah” lacked context regarding Fred Hampton’s politics.

“what’s crazy is they asked. i was supposed to be on the song with saba and smi but after seeing the movie i decided to pass,” she tweeted.

In a deleted tweet, she says the film lacked context regarding Hampton’s politics.

“I hope people actually go study Fred Hampton’s analysis on U.S. imperialism and fascism beyond just seeing a movie,” she wrote. “Most of his politics were stripped from that film.”

“Judas and the Black Messiah” arrives Friday in theaters and on HBO Max.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.