CHICAGO — The full soundtrack for Spike Lee's "Chi-Raq" has now been released, and it reads like a who's who of upcoming Chicago musicians.
Well, if you ignore the fact that Nick Cannon, Mali Music and other out-of-towners are featured.
Still, the soundtrack has work from some of the city's most successful, including Jennifer Hudson, while also showcasing songs from up-and-coming talent like Kevon Carter and Sophia Byrd.
R. Kelly and Tink. [Getty Images/Facebook]
R. Kelly and Tink: "Put the Guns Down"
Chicago natives R. Kelly and Tink are teaming up for "Put the Guns Down."
R. Kelly grew up in Bronzeville. He first found music in church, but he became famous for R&B and pop tunes like "I Believe I Can Fly" and "Ignition (Remix)." He became infamous after a series of sexual assault allegations in the late 1990s.
Tink, who's just 20, has quickly made a name for herself as a rapper and singer. She started singing in church at 5 years old and now receives high praise for her mixtapes and writing abilities, with EP "Winter's Diary 2" being named a top R&B album of 2014 by Billboard and Rolling Stone.
Though born in Calumet City, Tink attended Simeon High School and raps about Chicago.
Warning: Video below contains swearing
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers with Eryn Allen Kane and Sasha Go Hard: "Born in Chicago"
Sasha Go Hard, also known as Yaneisha Franklin from Hyde Park, started rapping when she was 12, according to the Huffington Post. She's now released more than half a dozen mixtapes and has worked with major artists, including Diplo. She sings about relationships, but she also fights against sexualizing her image, she told the RedEye.
And though Sasha Go Hard's collaborator on "Born in Chicago," Eryn Allen Kane, was raised in Detroit, she's based out of Chicago, according to her Facebook.
Sam Dew: "Desperately"
Sam Dew, a singer-songwriter, used to perform in talent shows; now, he's opened for D'Angelo and collaborated with Skrillex, released an EP and will showcase his musical skills in "Chi-Raq," according to his website.
Growing up on the South Side, he was inspired by hip hop group Crucial Conflict, according to his website. Dew was also raised on Michael Jackson, Bob Marley and Earth, Wind & Fire, and his music moves between soul, punk, rock and blues, according to his website.
Kymm Lewis: "I Want to Live"
Kymm Lewis is a singer and religious leader, having ministered at churches throughout the United States. She focuses on Gospel and contemporary Christian tunes when it comes to music, but she's also experimented with acting, she told the McGirt Show.
Kevon Carter: "WGDB"
Kevon Carter has used his music to support his activism: In "Chi-Raq's" "WGDB" (short for "We Gotta Do Better"), he speaks of a desire to end violence — citing the recent case of 7-year-old Amari Brown who was gunned down in an alleged gang conflict this summer. He also sings about the controversial death of Sandra Bland in "Who Killed Sandra Bland?"
Sophia Byrd: "I See the Light"
Just 16 years old, Sophia Byrd is a member of the Chicago Children's Choir, which "empowers singers to bridge cultural divides and become ambassadors of peace in their communities," according to its website.
Despite her youth, Byrd's already gained significant recognition with television appearances and featured solos.
Cinque Cullar: "All Power"
If you're into gospel, you've probably heard of Cinque Cullar. He's sung at the Gospel Music Festival, was a member of the Soul Children of Chicago in his youth and has released several albums.
Cullar is also a licensed minister, according to his website, and leads choir, praise and worship and leadership workshops.
Jennifer Hudson: "I Run"
Jennifer Hudson was born and raised in Englewood, and she's experienced the tragedy that "Chi-Raq" seeks to depict: She lost her mother, brother and nephew to murder in 2008.
In "Chi-Raq," Hudson plays a mother who has lost her young daughter to gun violence. You can also see Hudson in an upcoming Broadway production of "The Color Purple," which will premiere Dec. 10.
The full soundtrack:
1. Nick Cannon: "Pray 4 My City"
2. R. Kelly featuring Tink: "Put The Guns Down"
3. Mali Music featuring Jhené Aiko: "Contradiction"
4. Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers featuring Eryn Allen Kane & Sasha Go Hard: "Born In Chicago"
5. Mali Music: "Sit Down For This"
6. Sam Dew: "Desperately"
7. Treasure Davis featuring Kid Ink: "Simple"
8. Kymm Lewis: "I Want To Live"
9. Nick Cannon: "My City"
10. Kevon Carter: "WGDB"
11. Sophia Byrd: "I See The Light"
12. Cinque Cullar: "All Power"
13. Jennifer Hudson: "I Run"
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