Judas and the Black Messiah
(Score)

WaterTower Music is excited to announce today's release of the soundtrack to the film Judas and the Black Messiah. Inspired by true events, it tells the impactful story of community activist Fred Hampton, who became the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party (BPP) in 1968

WaterTower Music is excited to announce today's release of the soundtrack to the film Judas and the Black Messiah. Inspired by true events, it tells the impactful story of community activist Fred Hampton, who became the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party (BPP) in 1968, and who, through his empowering words and passion for the people, led the organization's fight for freedom and individuals' self-determination, before his assassination at the hands of the FBI.

Judas and the Black Messiah was directed by Shaka King, marking his studio feature film directorial debut. The film was released today in theaters nationwide and is available in the U.S. on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release.

The Judas and the Black Messiah (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) features new music from composer/ performer/ conceptualist/ curator Craig Harris, and Grammy winning composer Mark Isham To punctuate King's story of Hampton and the man who helped betray him, William O'Neal, King enlisted composers Craig Harris and Mark Isham, who enhance the realistic cinematography of `60s life in Chicago with a combination of orchestral jazz and melancholy strings. In concert with Quelle Chris and Chris Keys, who contribute the composition's percussive highlights, the quartet of musicians created a sonic backdrop that feels of the era, yet contemporary and cinematic.

The in-person collaboration between Harris and Isham was rendered impossible by the pandemic lockdowns when all recording studios were shuttered. The two utilized calls and FaceTime, as well as sending musical ideas in files, which were opened, commented upon/augmented and then returned. 'When Craig and I couldn't work together, Shaka had the whole film temped with period music that could be licensed as a backup plan—it was also an experiment to see what would work. Some of the pieces did work, so Craig and I were to tie the pieces together, to expand upon themes and build music that would connect the emotional and storytelling dots,' explains Mark Isham.

The composers then put together scoring sessions in New York—with distancing protocols—with accomplished musicians from the worlds of classical and jazz.

- WaterTower Music -

More info at: Official Web Site

WaterTower Music presents the soundtrack album for the biographical movie Judas and the Black Messiah. The album contains the score composed by Mark Isham (A River Runs Through It) and jazz trombonist Craig Harris and additional music by Quelle Chris and Chris Keys.

WaterTower Music presents the soundtrack album for the biographical movie Judas and the Black Messiah. The album contains the score composed by Mark Isham (A River Runs Through It) and jazz trombonist Craig Harris and additional music by Quelle Chris and Chris Keys.

The soundtrack is available digitally February 12, 2021.
As previously reported, RCA and Six Course Music Group Records are releasing a separate album with songs!

Judas and the Black Messiah is directed by Shaka King and stars Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Ashton Sanders, Dominique Fishback and Martin Sheen. The drama will be released in theaters February 12, 2021 in USA.

2021 GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS
- Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture, Daniel Kaluuya
- Best Original Song - Motion Picture, “Fight For You” by H.E.R., Dernst Emile II, Tiara Thomas

About the Movie:
In Theaters and HBO Max February 12, 2021
FBI informant William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party and is tasked with keeping tabs on their charismatic leader, Chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya).
A career thief, O’Neal revels in the danger of manipulating both his comrades and his handler, Special Agent Roy Mitchell (Jesse Plemons). Hampton’s political prowess grows just as he’s falling in love with fellow revolutionary Deborah Johnson (Dominique Fishback). Meanwhile, a battle wages for O’Neal’s soul. Will he align with the forces of good? Or subdue Hampton and The Panthers by any means, as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (Martin Sheen) commands?

Inspired by true events, “Judas and the Black Messiah” is directed by Shaka King, marking his studio feature film directorial debut. The project originated with King and his writing partner, Will Berson, who co-wrote the screenplay, and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas, who co-wrote the story with Berson & King. King, who has a long relationship with filmmaker Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther,” “Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), pitched the film to Coogler and Charles D. King (“Just Mercy,” “Fences”), who are producing the film with Shaka King.
The executive producers are Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Kim Roth, Poppy Hanks, Ravi Mehta, Jeff Skoll, Anikah McLaren, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth, Ted Gidlow, and Niija Kuykendall.

“Judas and the Black Messiah” stars Oscar nominee Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out,” “Widows,” “Black Panther”) as Fred Hampton and LaKeith Stanfield (“Atlanta,” “The Girl in the Spider’s Web”) as William O’Neal.
The film also stars Jesse Plemons (“Vice,” “Game Night,” “The Post”), Dominique Fishback (“The Hate U Give,” “The Deuce”), Ashton Sanders (“The Equalizer 2,” “Moonlight”) and Martin Sheen (“The Departed,” TV’s “The West Wing,” TV’s “Grace & Frankie”).

The ensemble cast also includes Algee Smith (“The Hate U Give,” “Detroit”), Darrell Britt-Gibson (“Just Mercy,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), Dominique Thorne (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), Amari Cheatom (“Roman J. Israel, Esq.,” “Django Unchained”), Caleb Eberhardt (“The Post”) and Lil Rel Howery (“Get Out”).

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Sean Bobbitt (“12 Years a Slave,” “Widows”), production designer Sam Lisenco (“Shades of Blue”), editor Kristan Sprague (“Random Acts of Flyness”) and costume designer Charlese Antoinette Jones (“Raising Dion”).
The music is by Craig Harris and Mark Isham.

Visit the Official Site.