Reflecting the mixed musical tastes of the film's university population, the soundtrack to
John Singleton's Higher Learning features a broad sampling of rap, modern folk, indie, and R&B music. The majority of these sides were cut especially for the soundtrack, with standouts including tracks by
Ice Cube,
Outkast,
Me'Shell NdegéOcello,
Liz Phair, and
Rage Against the Machine. Some club soul comes courtesy of
the Brand New Heavies and
Raphael Saadiq of
Tony! Toni! Toné! fame, while Eve's Plum adds some power-chord pop, and bassist
Stanley Clarke updates his fusion funk sound on the collection's lone instrumental. There's also
Tori Amos chipping in with her own "Butterfly" and a cover of
R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" (While Amos fans are sure to be ecstatic, those a bit weary of the singer's particular brand of melodrama will find no relief). Minor squabbles aside, this is a fine soundtrack. ~ Stephen Cook