The movie "Black Panther" out today is very dear to Kendrick Lamar, who was the driving force behind the film’s critically acclaimed album.
Now he wants to share his hard work with kids who might not be able to see the movie while it’s out in theaters.
Lamar’s record label Top Dawg Entertainment bought out five different screenings in three cinemas in the Los Angeles area for kids who live in the Watts housing project, the Fader reports.
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An estimated 1,000 kids will be able to see the movie now, which is being hailed as one of the best superhero movies of all time.
The three cinemas are situated nearby three distinct housing projects — Nickerson Gardens, Jordan Downs, and Imperial Courts Projects — and children will be able to go to the theater that’s closest to them.
Lamar isn’t the only person buying tickets for the underprivileged. T.I. and Octavia Spencer are sending thousands of children to see the movie and many more campaigns are on GoFundMe.
Part of why "Black Panther" is so anticipated is because it’s an unabashed celebration of African-American culture that challenges Hollywood notions of representation. It features a black director, black screenplay writers, and a primarily black cast. It has a phenomenal soundtrack (featuring Global Citizens like Kendrick Lamar).
Read More: The Many Ways Kendrick Lamar Is Giving Back
It occurs in a fictional African country called Wakanda that was never colonized. By showing an African country as prosperous and thriving, it defies the usual reductive treatment that the continent receives. And it’s being released during Black History Month as people throughout the US reflect on black culture from the past several centuries.
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People have been building excitement for "Black Panther" for months and now that it’s finally here, it’s expected to shatter box office records during its premier weekend.
For long afterwards, Lamar’s soundtrack will be bringing people back to the movie as “King’s Dead” and “All the Stars” are played in cars, headphones, and clubs.