Jay-Z and Nipsey Hussle's lyrical prowess can now be enjoyed on one song.
On Friday (Feb. 12), the soundtrack for the film Judas and the Black Messiah arrived called Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album. The Hit-Boy, Dash Sherrod, Ryan Coogler and Archie Davis-produced effort features a number of tracks including "What It Feels Like" with Jay-Z and Nipsey Hussle—track No. 4 on the LP.
Nip's posthumous lyrics kick off the first verse: "Look, the only reason I survive 'cause a nigga is special, first/You get successful, then it get stressful, thirst/Niggas gon' test you, see what your texture's worth/Diamonds and pipes, wonder when pressure burst."
Towards the end of the second verse, Hov touches on one of the main characters in the film, Fred Hampton. Hampton was the chairperson of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and was assassinated on Dec. 4, 1969—the day Jay-Z was born—during an FBI raid. Hampton was betrayed by former associate William O'Neal, a federal informant.
Jay rhymes on the Mike & Keys, Larrance Dopson, MyGuyMars and Terrace Martin-produced joint, "I arrived on the day Fred Hampton got mur—, hol' up/Assassinated, just to clarify further/What y'all gave birth is the chairman mixed with Jeff Fort/Big stepper on that jet with my legs crossed (Uh, uh)/Black stones on my neck, y'all can't kill Christ (Uh)/Black messiah is what I feel like (Woo)/Shit ain't gonna stop 'cause y'all spilled blood/We gon' turn up even more since y'all kill cuz."
The film stars Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton while Lakeith Stanfield plays the role of William O'Neal. As for the soundtrack, there are other tracks from Nas, 2020 XXL Freshman Polo G, Rapsody, G Herbo, Lil Durk, A$AP Rocky, Pooh Shiesty, J.I.D, Black Thought and more.
See the tracklist below.
Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album Tracklist
1. "Cointelpro / Dec. 4" – Chairman Fred Hampton Jr.
2. "Fight for You" – H.E.R.
3. "EPMD" – Nas
4. "Welcome to America" – Black Thought
5. "What It Feels Like" – Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z
6. "Broad Day" – Hit-Boy
7. "Plead the .45th" – Smino & Saba
8. "Somethin Ain’t Right" – Masego featuring J.I.D and Rapsody
9. "Letter 2 U" – BJ The Chicago Kid
10. "On Your Mind" - Lil Durk
11. "Appraise" – White Dave
12. "All Black" – G Herbo
13. "I Declare War" – Nardo Wick
14. "No Profanity" – Pooh Shiesty
15. "Last Man Standing" – Polo G
16. "Respect My Mind" - Dom Kennedy
17. "Revolutionary" – G Herbo featuring Bump J
18. "Teach Me" – Sir
19. "Contagious" – Safe & Kiana Ledé
20. "Rich Nigga Problems" – A$AP Rocky
21. "Outro"
22. Bonus: "Black Messiah" – Rakim
Check out Jay-Z and Nipsey Hussle's "What It Feels Like" below.
See 22 Hip-Hop-Related Police Raids