Rhythm & Reels
Top 12 Iconic Soundtracks For Your Black Movie Night
Celebrating Black Cinema Through Iconic Soundtracks
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From Soul Food, to Love Jones and my personal favorite The Best Man. I don’t know where to start! Let’s run through the list of the Top 10 Iconic Black Movies and Movie Soundtracks That Soothe The Soul and Lifts The Spirit!
The tension builds as he goes in for the kiss! Right before it happens a soft beat drops and their lips touch. When you close your eyes the soundtrack alone are like invisible sparks. Soon to become fireworks on the big screen! The onlookers hearts are on fire as they watch! There is nothing like a love scene on the big screen.
Which is your favorite black movie love scene? Is it Jason’s Lyric, at the T.V. store after hours on the store counter, or was it that picnic scene at the bayou? Maybe it was the corporate love triangle when (Eddie Murphy) as Marcus was left clenching the sheets in Boomerang when (Robin Givens) as Jacqueline left him $200 on the night stand? Love scenes aside I have so many favorites!
It’s still Black History Month and in the name of black iconic movies the soundtracks are unforgettable. They just don’t make movie soundtracks like they used to. Let’s start with an all time family favorite!
1. Soul Food
We all know how hard it is to deal with family. Often our love and tribal nature carries us through. But that doesn’t make it easy. In fact, that can be the hardest part. Loving each other through the mistakes. In many families there is a matriarch of the family that holds us together. Mama. Title track “Mama” by Boyz To Men sing a poignant song that says it perfectly. Oh how much our mamas' mean to us. How much we love and honor them, and never want to disappoint them. If you haven’t seen it, or haven't watched it in a while. Watch the movie here👉🏽 Soul Food
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2.Purple Rain
Is it raining purple rain drops? Yes! The movie itself is basically a soundtrack to a season in Prince’s life. I specifically remember when I watched the movie and was fascinated by the beautiful Apollonia. I was shocked to learn that her actual name is Apollonia! If you have not seen Purple Rain in years. Now is the time put on your favorite purple tee-shirt and let Prince do what he does best! Rock out to “When Doves Cry!" Rest in peace. Watch the movie here
👉🏽 Purple Rain
3. A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
(Martin Lawrence) Darnell was a certified player! His golden rule was to never tell a woman that he loved her. He broke his rule and said I love you to the wrong one! (Lynn Whitfield) Brandi was not the woman to be played with. She showed him exactly that! If you want to learn what not to do when it comes to playing with people's emotions. Sit back and watch this black movie classic! H-Town's got your back on the title track “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.” Watch the movie here
👉🏽 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
4. The Best Man
One of my favorite movies of all time! The Best Man. I was drawn in by every character. My favorite being Jordan (Nia Long). Although, in my real life I am a mix between all the female characters in this film. If I were to play a role it would be Jordan. I love her independence and was always still one of the guys. This story tells what really happens amongst friends. (Taye Diggs) Harper is a writer and uses his own life as his muse. Though, his book is really a tell-all which he should have not included all the details, without expecting to deal with the repercussions. You will be thoroughly entertained! It’s Black Movie Night! Where’s the popcorn! Watch the movie here
👉🏽 The Best Man
5. Brown Sugar
A true coming of age story of what true love is supposed to look like. Best friends realize they are meant for each other on the back of a hip hop soundtrack. Both Dre (Taye Digg) and Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) grew up in New York where hip hop beats were playing on every corner in the late 80’s early 90’s. Unaware of what true love looks like. They both search in other places. Only to circle back to each other. “And another one,” like DJ Khaled would say, for the record books. Erykah Badu’s “Love Of My Life,” song from the Brown Sugar soundtrack epitomizes our love for hip hop! Watch the movie here
👉🏽 Brown Sugar
6. Boomerang
Unlike the streets of New York in Brown Sugar. Boomerang lives in the high class corporate arena. Where everybody looks like they are meant to be on a movie screen. Dressed to impress with the intellect to back it! Marcus used to a player’s advantage. Marcus (Eddie Murphy) believes he knows the art of romance and can charm any and every woman. Till he meets the ultimate challenge Jacqueline (Robin Givens). Putting all his energy into the chase rather than look at the true love he had by his side. The music that accompanies this film, like ‘Another Sad Love Song,’ by Toni Braxton tells the story of the woman that Marcus dismisses. Blinded by distractions. Watch a player get played on Black Movie Night! Watch the movie here
👉🏽 Boomerang
7. Jason’s Lyric
You can’t tell me nothing when it comes to Jason’s Lyric. My favorite of all favorites! I have been in love with Jason (Allen Payne) ever since I watched him dance in the living room with his mother in the movie, (Suzzanne Douglas) who recently passed away in 2021. Attempting to lift her spirits like a good son should. Then he meets Lyric (Jada Pinkett.) His whole world is turned upside down. You see the heart of a man on full display in this beautiful, but tragic love story. My top soundtrack on the list! Watch the movie here
8. Love Jones
Did you say poetry, anyone? Yes, tell it like it is, but only by using words in their highest form while a saxophone plays in the background. Nina (Nia Long) is really not looking for a new romance on the back of a break/breakup. Darius (Larenz Tate) is quite persistent. I have to be honest. Persistence goes a long way. The guys who have the long game, no pun intended, end up winning the goodie bag. You’ll be in for some poetic passion in this black movie cinema and the soundtrack won’t disappoint. Spoken word, included. Watch the movie here
👉🏽 Love Jones
9. Waiting To Exhale
Ahh.. can you believe what Bernadine’s “Angela Bassett,” husband did to her. I don’t promote payback, but if ever someone deserved it. John, played by “Michael Beach” deserved it! And the soundtrack captures it all! “Not Gon Cry” by Mary J Blige, says it best. You could easily listen to this soundtrack and not even know the movie existed. You’ve got heavy hitters on this one, with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight. Thus, this movie will grab your heart and be one for the record books! Watch the movie here
10. How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Well, well, well! Ok Taye Diggs! I can dig it! This movie is a hot black Caribbean cougar-ville love story! With some of the most attractive people in Hollywood. You can’t go wrong. Winston Shakespeare (Taye Diggs) meets a beautiful woman nearly twice his age, and is ready to take it to the next level. In this reluctant love tale, watch how Stella (Angela Bassett) discovers herself in an unexpected pairing that rocks her world and changes her perspective on what love can look like. Watch the movie here
👉🏽 How Stella Got Her Groove Back
11. Set It Off
Whenever there are three of my friends, plus myself all out together. We cannot help but to compare ourselves to the dynamic foursome girl squad in Set It Off. Tired of barely making it. Frankie (Vivica Fox) came up with an idea for a come up! An idea that would change all of their lives forever. This is the ultimate black girl power movie! Queen Latifa, Jada Pinkett, Vivica Fox and Kimberly Elise as T.T. Create a timely classic for the record books. With a soundtrack to match! En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go.” En Vogue is the musical foursome with ultimate girl power. Just this song alone sets it off on the soundtrack. Watch the movie here
👉🏽 Set It Off
12. Love & Basketball
I’m a sports fan. So, Love and Basketball? That’s a yes, yes, and a win, win for me! A woman who can hoop and give you that good loving. That has to be a few men’s dreams out there. In most cases you can’t ask for more. Two highly driven individuals are forced to choose between their dream of playing professional basketball or love. Another coming of age story that displays true love between a man and a woman. Maxwell’s “A Woman’s Work.” Is like artwork that is woven between the story and the characters. Watch the movie here
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