Photo: Geffen Records/Arista Records/UMG Recordings
When you think of classic Black films, you can't help but also think of the soundtracks that accompanied them. Movies like Above The Rim (1992), Waiting To Exhale (1995), and Bad Boys II (2003) all had remarkable soundtracks full of timeless music that was featured in the film or was inspired by it.
Over the past three decades, some of the best acts in the music industry have blessed us with the most iconic music that was inspired by your favorite movies. Legendary musicians like Stevie Wonder, Teddy Riley, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston have all contributed to stellar soundtracks during their hay days. Meanwhile, rappers like JAY-Z, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube have also curated entire soundtracks for some of the most memorable Black films in Hollywood.
While we've already shared 10 of the Greatest Black Movie Soundtracks of the 2010s, in honor of Black Music Month, weâre honoring the classic soundtracks inspired by some of the best Black films ever made.
New Jack City (1991)
Photo: Giant/Reprise Records
Stand Out Track(s): âFor The Love of Money/Living For The Cityâ Troop/Levert & Queen Latifah, âNew Jack Hustler (Ninoâs Theme)â Ice-T
Featured Artists: Johnny Gill, Christopher Williams, Guy, Keith Sweat, 2 Live Crew, Essence, Color Me Badd
Boyz N The Hood (1991)
Photo: Qwest Records/UMG
Stand Out Tracks: "How to Survive in South Central" Ice Cube
Featured Artists: Al B Sure!, Tevin Campbell, Yo Yo, Tony! Toni! TonĂŠ, Monie Love, 2 Live Crew, Quincy Jones & more
Juice (1991)
Photo: Geffen Records
Stand Out Track(s): âKnow The Ledgeâ Eric B. & Rakim
Featured Artists: Teddy Riley, Naughty By Nature, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Cypress Hill, Too $hort, Salt-N-Pepa
Above The Rim (1992)
Photo: Death Row/Interscope Records
Stand Out Track(s): âRegulateâ Warren G & Nate Dogg, âPour Out a Little Liquorâ 2Pac & Thug Life
Featured Artists: SWV, Snoop Dogg, The Lady of Rage, Al B Sure!, Jewell, Tha Dogg Pound
The Bodyguard (1992)
Photo: Arista Records
Stand Out Track(s): âI Will Always Love Youâ Whitney Houston
Featured Artists: Whitney Houston, The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M., Aaron Neville
Deep Cover (1992)
Photo: SOLAR Records
Stand Out Track(s): âDeep Coverâ Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
Featured Artists: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Jewell, Shabba Ranks
Poetic Justice (1993)
Photo: Epic Soundtrax/Sony
Stand Out Track(s): âIndo Smokeâ Mista Grimm featuring Warren G & Nate Dogg, âOne in a Millionâ Pete Rock & CL Smooth, âCall Me A Mackâ Usher
Featured Artists: TLC, Babyface, Naughty By Nature, 2Pac, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Stevie Wonder
Menace II Society (1993)
Photo: Jive Records
Stand Out Tracks: âOnly The Strong Surviveâ Too $hort, âPocket Full of Stonesâ UGK, âStraight up Menaceâ MC Eiht
Featured Artists: Brand Nubian, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Boogie Down Productions, Spice 1Â
Waiting To Exhale (1995)
Photo: Arista Records
Stand Out Track(s): "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" Whitney Houston, âSitting Up In My Roomâ Brandy, âNot Gon Cryâ Mary J. Blige
Featured Artists: Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, TLC, Chaka Khan, SWV, Babyface, Patti LaBelle, Faith Evans, CeCe Winans
Space Jam (1995)
Photo: Warner Sunset/Atlantic Records
Stand Out Track(s): âHit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)" B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J and Method Man, âFor You I Willâ Monica
Featured Artists: JAY-Z, Quad City DJâs, Seal, DâAngelo, Salt-N-Pepa, Barry White, Biz Markie
Friday (1995)
Photo: Priority Records
Stand Out Track(s): âFridayâ Ice Cube, âKeep Their Heads Ringinâ Dr. Dre
Featured Artists: Scarface, Mack 10, The Isley Brothers, Rick James, Bootsy Collins, 2 Live Crew
Belly (1998)
Photo: Def Jam Recordings
Stand Out Track(s): âTop Shotterâ DMX, Sean Paul, Mr. Vegas, âDevilâs Pieâ DâAngelo
Featured Artists: Nas, Method Man, Ja Rule, Noreaga, JAY-Z, Mya, Wu-Tang Clan, Sauce Money, Gang Starr
Blue Streak (1999)
Photo: Roc-a-Fella/Island Def Jam Recordings
Stand Out Tracks: "Girl's Best Friend" JAY-Z
Featured Artists: Tyrese, Heavy D, Ja Rule, Raekwon, Hot Boys, Big Tymers, Foxy Brown, Keith Sweat, Da Brat, 69 Boyz & more
Next Friday (1999)
Photo: Priority Records
Stand Out Track(s): âYou Can Do Itâ Ice Cube, âI Donât Wannaâ Aaliyah, âFried Dayâ Bizzy Bone
Featured Artists: N.W.A., Vita, Ja Rule, Big Tymers, Lil Wayne, Mack 10, Snoop Dogg, Pharoahe Monch, Lilâ Zane, Wu-Tang ClanÂ
Baby Boy (2001)
Photo: UMG Recordings
Stand Out Track(s): âJust A Baby Boyâ Snoop Dogg ft. Tyrese & Mr. Tan, âJust A Manâ Raphael Saadiq
Featured Artists: Three 6 Mafia, Bootsy Collins, Anthony Hamilton, Macy Gray, B.G., Baby
How High (2001)
Photo: Def Jam Recordings
Stand Out Track(s): âPart IIâ Method Man and Redman, âDa Rockwilderâ Method Man and Redman, âRound And Round (Remix)â Jonell
Featured Artists: DMX, Ludacris, Shawnna, Mary J. Blige, Cypress Hill
Paid in Full (2002)
Photo: UMG Recordings
Stand Out Track(s): âChampionsâ Damon Dash, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Young Chris, Twista, DJ Clue, âIâm Readyâ Camâron ft Jim Jones & Juelz Santana
Featured Artists: Eric B & Rakim, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, JAY-Z, Freeway, Memphis Bleek, M.O.P., Peedi Crakk
Barbershop (2002)
Photo: Sony Music
Stand Out Tracks: "Trade It All Pt. 2" Fabolous & Jagged Edge
Featured Artists: Ginuwine, Ghostface Killah, 3LW, B2K, JhenĂŠ Aiko and more
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Photo: Island Def Jam Music Group
Stand Out Tracks: "Act A Fool" Ludacris, "Represent" Trick Daddy
Featured Artists: Tyrese, I-20, Shawnna, 2 Chainz, Chingy, 8Ball, Fat Joe, Pitbull & more
Bad Boys II (2003)
Photo: Bad Boy Records
Stand Out Track(s): âShake Ya Tailfeatherâ Diddy, Nelly & Murphy Lee, âLa La Laâ JAY-Z, âDidnât Meanâ Mary J. Blige
Featured Artists: Dre, 50 Cent, The Notorious B.I.G., Loon, Snoop Dogg, Foxy Brown, Mario Winans, BeyoncĂŠ, Freeway, Lenny Kravitz, M.O.P.
Hustle & Flow (2005)
Photo: Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
Stand Out Track(s): âItâs Hard Out Here For A Pimpâ Terrence Howard & Taraji P. Hensen, âIâm a King (Remix)â P$C ft. T.I. & Lil Scrappy, âBad B***hâ Webbie & Trina
Featured Artists: 8Ball & MJG, Trillville, E-40, Juvenile, Mike Jones, Boosie Badazz, Nicole Wray
American Gangster (2007)
Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records
Stand Out Track(s): âRoc Boys (And The Winner Is)â JAY-Z, âIgnorant S**tâ JAY-Z ft Beanie Sigel
Featured Artists: Lil Wayne, Nas
Compton: A Soundtrack By Dr. Dre (2015)
Photo: Aftermath/Interscope Records
Stand Out Track(s): âAll in a Day's Work" Dr. Dre ft. Anderson .Paak and Marsha Ambrosius, "Deep Water" Dr. Dre ft Kendrick Lamar, Justus and Anderson .Paak, "For the Love of Money" Dr. Dre ft. Jill Scott, Jon Connor and Anderson .Paak
Featured Artists: BJ The Chicago Kid, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Xzibit
Photo: Aftermath Records
Stand Out Tracks: "All The Stars" Kendrick Lamar & SZA, "King's Dead" Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake, "Pray For Me" The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar, "X" ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz & Saudi
Featured Artists: Khalid, Swae Lee, Jorja Smith, Ab-Soul, Anderson. Paak, Zacari, Mozzy, Travis Scott & more
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Photo: Roc Nation
Stand Out Track(s): âGuns Go Bangâ Kid Cudi & JAY-Z, âBlack Womanâ Fatoumata Diawara & Ms. Lauryn Hill
Featured Artists: CeeLo Green, Seal, Jadakiss, Conway The Machine, KoffeeÂ