You know that feeling when you're in the gym, absolutely gassed, and a specific beat drops that suddenly makes you feel like you could punch through a brick wall? That is exactly what Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Göransson managed to bottle up when they put together the creed original motion picture soundtrack songs. Honestly, it’s been a decade since the movie redefined the Rocky legacy, and the music still feels like a shot of adrenaline to the chest.
It wasn't just about finding a new "Eye of the Tiger." That would’ve been too easy, and frankly, kinda lazy. Instead, they built a sonic bridge between the grit of 1970s Philadelphia and the high-gloss, bass-heavy reality of modern hip-hop.
The genius behind the Creed original motion picture soundtrack songs
Ludwig Göransson is basically a mad scientist. Before he was winning Oscars for Oppenheimer or Black Panther, he was in a boxing gym with a field recorder. He didn't just write melodies; he recorded the rhythmic slapping of jump ropes, the heavy thud of leather hitting a speed bag, and the literal gasping breath of boxers mid-spar. He took those raw, ugly sounds and turned them into the "skeleton" of the score.
It’s brilliant because the music feels "sweaty." You aren't just listening to an orchestra in a clean studio; you're hearing the environment of the Front Street Gym.
Then you have the actual songs. The tracklist is a heavy-hitting roster of mid-2010s royalty. We’re talking Future, Meek Mill, Tessa Thompson (who actually sang her own tracks), and Childish Gambino.
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- Future - "Last Breath": This is arguably the standout. It samples the iconic Bill Conti "Gonna Fly Now" horns but flips them into a trap anthem. It’s the sound of a legacy being dismantled and rebuilt.
- Meek Mill - "Lord Knows": If you need to run up a flight of stairs—or just through a grocery store—this is the one. It’s aggressive. It’s Philly. It’s everything Adonis Creed represents.
- Tessa Thompson - "Grip" and "Breathe": These are essential because they ground the movie. Her character, Bianca, is a musician dealing with progressive hearing loss. These tracks aren't just background noise; they are her heart on a sleeve.
Why "Waiting For My Moment" is the secret weapon
There’s this one track that most people forget until they re-watch the movie. "Waiting For My Moment" features Childish Gambino, Jhené Aiko, and Vince Staples. It’s a slow burn. It’s soulful. It’s about the anxiety of finally standing in the spotlight after years of being a "nobody."
Most sports movie soundtracks are just high-energy bangers. This one is different. It understands the quiet, lonely moments of a fighter.
How the soundtrack avoids the "Rocky" nostalgia trap
Legacy is a heavy word.
When you’re making a spin-off of one of the most famous franchises in history, the temptation to just remix the old hits is massive. But the creed original motion picture soundtrack songs do something smarter. They tease you. You hear a hint of a familiar trumpet or a certain piano chord from the 1976 original, but then it’s snatched away.
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You don't get the full, unadulterated "Gonna Fly Now" until the final fight.
By the time those horns finally hit in the 11th round, it feels earned. It’s a payoff that works because the rest of the soundtrack spent two hours establishing its own identity.
The Philly Connection
Philadelphia isn't just a setting in Creed; it’s a character. The music reflects that. Using Meek Mill wasn't a random choice—he is Philadelphia hip-hop. His voice carries a specific type of desperation and triumph that matches the city’s underdog spirit. When "Lord Knows" starts playing, you aren't in Hollywood anymore. You're on the corner of Kensington and Somerset.
The full tracklist: A breakdown of the vibes
If you're looking for the specific songs to add to your rotation, the official soundtrack (the "songs" album, not just the instrumental score) is a masterclass in curation.
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- Last Breath – Future (The high-energy opener)
- Check – Meek Mill (Pure swagger)
- Intolerant – White Dave
- The Fire – The Roots ft. John Legend (A soulful throwback)
- Grip – Tessa Thompson (Bianca’s signature sound)
- Lord Knows – Meek Mill ft. Tory Lanez (The peak of the movie)
- Don’t Waste My Time – Krept & Konan
- Let You Know – White Dave ft. Clif Soulo
- Breathe – Tessa Thompson
- Wake Up Everybody – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (The "legacy" soul track)
- Bridging The Gap – Nas ft. Olu Dara
- Waiting For My Moment – Donald Glover, Jhené Aiko, Vince Staples
- Hail Mary – 2Pac (The walkout song that gave everyone chills)
- In the Kitchen – White Dave
- Shed You – Tessa Thompson & Moses Sumney
- Curry Chicken – Joey Bada$$
- Work Ya Muscle – Eearz
- Lord Knows / Fighting Stronger – Meek Mill, Jhené Aiko, Ludwig Göransson (The ultimate mashup)
It’s worth noting that the "Score" album by Göransson is a separate beast. While the soundtrack has the lyrics and the rap, the score has the sweeping 100-piece orchestra. You need both for the full experience.
The lasting impact of Creed’s music
Looking back, this soundtrack changed how directors think about sports movies. It proved that you could have a "cool" soundtrack that appeals to a younger audience without losing the emotional weight that older fans expect. It paved the way for what Göransson would later do with Black Panther, blending traditional cultural sounds with modern production.
The most fascinating part? The way "Hail Mary" by 2Pac was used. Using a classic West Coast track for a Philly-based fighter was a risk. But it worked because Adonis was from LA. It was his way of bringing his own history into his father's world.
That’s the nuance that makes this soundtrack special. It’s not just a collection of hits. It’s a narrative tool.
If you’re looking to dive back into these tracks, start with the Lord Knows / Fighting Stronger mashup. It’s the perfect encapsulation of the whole project—mixing the aggression of the streets with the soaring hope of a cinematic hero.
To get the most out of these songs today, listen to them in their original context within the film. Pay attention to how the "Adonis Theme" grows from a lonely, single piano note at the start of the movie into a thundering orchestral anthem by the end credits. It’s a masterclass in musical character development that you just don't see often enough in modern cinema.