Rhythm and Reels Part 2
TOP 12 MORE ICONIC SOUNDTRACKS FOR YOUR BLACK MOVIE NIGHT
CELEBRATING BLACK CINEMA THROUGH ICONIC SOUNDTRACKS
Written By Ebonylion
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There obviously needs to be a part two to Rhythm and Reels blog post for The Lion’s Den radio show! We cannot truly celebrate black cinema through iconic soundtracks if I didn’t include the top selling soundtrack of all time! The Bodyguard!
Listen or buy here https://amzn.to/3TeDrti
Bodyguard
Breaking All The Records
The Bodyguard soundtrack with the movie adorning the same name was a global success. Released in November of 1992. The album was honored for Whitney’s vocal performance. As it hit number 1 in eighteen countries and went top 10 in a dozen more. In the USA Houston held the record for having the most weeks at number one by a female artist on the Billboard 200. She was eventually surpassed by Adele’s 21 album in (2011). The Bodyguard sold over a million copies within a single week only to continue for several more weeks to follow. It sold over 45 million copies worldwide. Making it the best selling soundtrack of all time. Additionally it made Houston the best selling album by a woman in music history as well as the best selling album of the decade. The soundtrack won a Grammy for the album of the year.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the soundtrack’s release. Whitney Houston’s Estate released I Wish You Love: More From The Bodyguard. It included a collection of never-before-released live recordings from Whitney’s historic The Bodyguard World Tour (1993-1994). So when I say iconic. I mean iconic. There’s none-other, nothing compares to The Bodyguard.
Click Here to Listen or Buy Whitney Houston’s Estate released I Wish You Love: More From The Bodyguard. https://amzn.to/3UQMtxT
The Five Heartbeats https://amzn.to/48yeflV
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/49V9Hr1
The soundtrack stands alone! Robert Townsend wrote, directed, and starred in the fictionalized story of a quintet friend group who rose to fame as a vocally talented singing group. Spanning 3 decades beginning in the 1960’s.The Five Heartbeats though fictional was loosely based on The Dells, The Temptations, Four Tops, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Frankie Lymon, Sam Cooke and others. The inspiring movie entangled you in racism and heartbreak as you watched such young talented men gain worldwide recognition. Fame and fortune can cause havoc without a level head. This tale shows the true depiction of five friends and how they handle a new life filled talent, jealousy, drugs, and murder. All while melting your heart with their melodic sounds and vulnerability.
Juice https://amzn.to/3V0ZZPt
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/3wBVoZZ
Unlike The Five Heartbeats, Juice was a movie of four young men trying to survive life in the ruthless city of Harlem. Young, black, and struggling, you watch this coming of age tale where not only do they have to guard against police harassment they also have to fend off the gangs. Left to their own devices and no real parental guidance they forge a plan that seriously goes awry. The friends turn on each other and not everyone survives. The soundtrack is thrilling like the movie. With hard love songs, and even harder raps beats that carry the movie. If you haven’t seen it or it’s been awhile. Let's continue Black History Month and Black Movie Night right on into March!
Boyz N The Hood https://amzn.to/48AF1di
Movie Soundtrackhttps://amzn.to/3uOVbSK
Boyz N The Hood has a completely different feel when compared to the city streets of Harlem like in Juice. The soundtrack has the Cali feel as well. Another set of four friends in lower and middle class families share the same neighborhood in South Central, California. No matter how much effort, their parents can’t shield them from the traps of being a young black man growing up in South Central, where they face death, prison, gangs, and drugs. One of the best films from the early 90’s. Bozy N The Hood was deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. It’s a must watch, so click the link above and be ready to see life through the eyes of being young, and black growing up in South Central in the 1980’s.
Above The Rim https://amzn.to/3uOVbSK
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/3ThiOwL
As the title suggests a talented basketball highschooler in Harlem has to make a decision. That decision will dictate the rest of his life. He’s torn between two futures and it’s nothing but an uphill battle determining which direction to go. Emotional twists and turn with opposing male figures in his life. His talents are all or nothing. Warren G’s Regulators song on the soundtrack plays in the background as this young man's life swirls with turmoil. Watch Duane Martin star in this 90’s classic!
New Jack City https://amzn.to/3Thev3l
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/3STWFmF
Nino Brown has a gang the Cash Money Brothers operate a sophisticated drug ring on the streets of Harlem. These men are far from any type of basketball rim as they have founded an extensive operation that is making them millions on the backs of the African American crack epidemic in the 90’s. Raw and thrilling, Nino Brown plays no games when it comes to making his money. His tight circle is under constant infiltration as the New York police are trying to shut him down. One man in particular plans to do everything in his power to take Nino down himself. If you are ready for a wild ride. Pull out the popcorn and watch another 90’s classic for the record books. Take some time and listen to the soundtrack of life in Harlem.
Dead Presidents https://amzn.to/3P2v3e1
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/3TgSdzG
Dead Presidents send you into the personal life of a Vietnam veteran who can barely cope after the atrocities he committed on the frontline. Coming back from the war in the 70’s Anthony (Larenz Tate) has a wife and daughter he needs to support. He struggles to keep the PTSD nightmares at bay. When introduced to his militant sister. A plan is concocted to rob an armored car on its way to the Federal Reserve Bank. With a 70’s groove the soundtrack to Dead Presidents provides just the right amount of groove and ambience. You will thoroughly enjoy this thrilling iconic classic.
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/3Ij876i
We all know Eddie Murphy knows how to make a good movie. Life mainly takes place in an infamous Mississippi prison. Released in 1999 Life tells the story of two small-time gamblers that get framed. They are both given life sentences. Not only is this movie a stand alone classic. The soundtrack can be played without the movie. With some of the top comics in the business. You will be thoroughly entertained. A fantastic addition to your Black Movie Night!
Sister Act 2 https://amzn.to/4bR9Jlj
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/49wD7ff
Can we say Whoopi Goldberg. As unique as her name! The Sister Act series will stay on the list as a classic forever. A movie that will inspire the entire family! The soundtrack will do the same. The best family movie on the list!. This will be one of the best movies for your Black Movie Night! Listen and buy the timeless soundtrack that will leave a heartwarming impression for years to come.
Poetic Justice https://amzn.to/4bOyDSN
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/42VjuuC
No he didn’t! Did Tupac just diss Janet Jackson like that? Yes he did. It can be hard to come to terms when you realize you might be falling in love. Thus you sabotage it before it really gets started. Well yep he totally messed up. Watch how Tupac wins back Janet’s heart in this 90’s classic. Two musical geniuses play lovers in Poetic Justice. The soundtrack is just as sweet as the love story. If it has been awhile since you’ve seen this one! Just put it on. Link included above for your convenience!
Higher Learning https://amzn.to/3ThMDxc
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/3wzKmEu
Higher Learning begs the question of identity in every facet on a college campus where all walks of life collide in search of a higher education. These university students learn more about the dangers of life than they do an intellectual education. White, black, straight, gay, black activist, and white supremacist all walk the halls of this campus. When their differences clash. Not everyone makes it to graduation. See through the eyes of college life in Higher Learning. Another classic for the record books. Listen to fresh sounds of college life on the soundtrack.
The Wood https://amzn.to/3T4Cq5Y
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/4bScd2V
Awe growing up. Everything is new! Three lifelong friends are there for each other from childhood up until marriage. They continue to size each other up even in adulthood as they reminisce about their younger days. Full of happy times and memorable experiences, these three friends have seen each other through thick and thin. This is one to watch with your own friends. Share black movie night with your besties and take turns providing the snacks!
Jungle Fever https://amzn.to/3Ifi6K7
Movie Soundtrack https://amzn.to/48xxXhO
Last but far from least on the list. Let’s go way back to the antiquated term for interracial dating. Jungle Fever. The idea was so foreign, you can see the discomfort and disdain from the onlookers and feel it through the screen. Continuously having to prove that love is love no matter what it looks like. Spike Lee, always pushed the button on hot issues facing the everyday joe. Jungle Fever is a must see! A love story atop a soundtrack that includes greats like Stevie Wonder. If you haven’t seen Jungle Fever. Sit back and pop the popcorn. This is gonna be a good one!
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