Spike Lee’s latest cinematic venture, “Highest 2 Lowest,” stands as a testament to the director’s unwavering commitment to musical excellence in filmmaking. The 2025 crime thriller, starring Denzel Washington and featuring performances by A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, and Ice Spice, delivers a sophisticated musical experience that elevates the narrative beyond traditional thriller boundaries.
When a titan music mogul is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma, and the film’s musical architecture serves as both backdrop and character, weaving through the story’s moral complexities. The collaboration between Lee and composer Howard Drossin has produced a soundtrack that functions as an integral storytelling device, reflecting the high-stakes world of the music industry while maintaining the gritty authenticity that defines Lee’s directorial style.
The film premiered out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, where audiences first experienced the powerful synergy between Lee’s visual storytelling and Drossin’s musical compositions. The musical elements of “Highest 2 Lowest” demonstrate how contemporary filmmakers can use sound to enhance narrative depth while paying homage to classic cinema traditions.
The Composer Behind the Score
Howard Drossin is a composer who created the score for the Spike Lee film, Highest 2 Lowest. Drossin is known for his music collaborations with RZA, including co-scoring The Man with the Iron Fists. His approach to scoring “Highest 2 Lowest” represents a sophisticated understanding of how music functions within the thriller genre, particularly when the story revolves around the music industry itself.
Drossin’s background in both film scoring and collaboration with hip-hop artists provided him with unique insights into the cultural landscape that Lee seeks to explore. Composer Howard Drossin (The Man with the Iron Fists) scored the 133-minute Apple TV+ film, creating a comprehensive musical journey that spans over two hours of carefully crafted audio storytelling.
The composer’s previous work with RZA on “The Man with the Iron Fists” established his credibility in creating scores that blend traditional orchestral elements with contemporary urban music sensibilities. This experience proved invaluable when crafting the musical identity for “Highest 2 Lowest,” a film that required authentic representation of the modern music industry while maintaining the suspenseful atmosphere essential to the thriller genre.
“Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” – Norm Lewis
In the film
This spacious Broadway classic opens the film with a sweeping New York montage, introducing Denzel Washington’s David King in his luxurious penthouse as he plots out his day. It’s a wry signal of the narrative’s impending storm; sunshine in music starkly contrasting with King’s looming troubles.
Trivia
Norm Lewis, a Tony-nominated Broadway powerhouse, echoes a tradition of show tunes in Lee’s films, anchoring the story in New York’s musical history. The choice here isn’t just atmospheric — it frames themes of aspiration and façade, crucial to the protagonist’s arc.
“King David” – Jensen McRae
In the Film
Singer-songwriter Jensen McRae performs this original track as June York, serenading David in a critical office sequence. The scene simultaneously hints at industry power dynamics and the vulnerability of aspiring artists.
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Lee’s films often blur artist and character. By casting McRae to sing her own composition, the film attains authenticity and injects poised social commentary.
“Trunks” – A$AP Rocky
In the Film
“Trunks” by A$AP Rocky pulses through a sequence when Kyle, Paul’s son, struggles alone after being kidnapped — the track echoing isolation and threat. The motif recurs at key turning points, wrapping violence in heavy bass and restless snare.
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As with Lee’s earlier collaborations with contemporary hip-hop stars, Rocky’s contributions aren’t just for mood but speak directly to the film’s core themes of survival, fame, and generational tension.
“Puerto Rico” – Eddie Palmieri & The Salsa Orchestra
In the Film
A festival erupts in a vibrant street scene, soundtrack swelling with Latin jazz by Eddie Palmieri. David navigates chaos to deliver ransom, with music acting as both diegetic celebration and story propulsion.
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Palmieri, a salsa legend, anchors the film’s urban realism and cultural texture. His extended performance is a standout, turning a suspense sequence into a love letter to NYC’s musical melting pot.
“The Payback” and “The Boss” – James Brown
In the Film
James Brown’s relentless funk underscores two pivotal sections: a tense hallway confrontation, and a vehicle sequence marked by desperate negotiation. The Godfather of Soul’s music provides not just atmosphere, but emotional context for power plays and shifting alliances.
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Lee frequently deploys James Brown both for nostalgia and rhythmic propulsion — his use of “The Payback” here mirrors moments in “Jungle Fever” and “Summer of Sam”.
“Both Eyes Closed” – A$AP Rocky
In the Film
Yung Felon (Rocky) records this track as David enters a tense studio. It’s a confrontation with legacy and ambition, music serving as antagonism and biographical graffiti.
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The use of Rocky’s music as both character development and real-world chart contender offers layers of metatext, merging narrative and industry commentary.
“Highest 2 Lowest” – Aiyana-Lee
In the Film
The film’s title track, performed and co-written by Aiyana-Lee, underscores an emotional audition, as David’s family gathers, and dreams are reborn. It’s a rare sequence of hope and creative communion.
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This centerpiece was written specifically for the movie, blending classic pop structure with a gospel undertone — an anthem about perseverance, true to the film’s spirit.
