On the companion soundtrack to the animated flick , the music follows suit with the movie, injecting much needed energy and youthfulness to the beloved superhero franchise with an edgier tone than most big-budget compilations. Like its protagonist Miles Morales, the soundtrack showcases the next generation, recruiting rising rappers on standout tracks such as 's "Way Up"; and 's "Start a Riot"; the rousing group collaboration "Elevate"; and 's hit single "Sunflower." And like the movie's inclusion of a middle-aged Peter Parker, the hip-hop old guard are represented by , , and . In between these generational extremes, a wealth of critically regarded acts such as join upstarts and a surprise appearance by the late . Empowering and inspirational, is a wild mix of chill atmospherics and propulsive beats that captures the state of hip-hop in 2018, which, like the movie, respects its forebears while keeping its sights firmly set on the future. ~ Neil Z. Yeung