A fan's guide to the Higher Learning soundtrack

The Higher Learning soundtrack, Higher Ground: Music From The Motion Picture, is the soundtrack to the 1995 movie of the same name. This article provides an insight into the featuring songs and artists.

About the soundtrack and its musical style

In line with the Higher Learning movie, the soundtrack covers an eclectic mix of themes and is a melting pot of genres. The diversity of musical styles ranges from hip-hop to R&B and from alternative rock to rap and Jazz. Higher Learning soundtrack was released in January 1995 on the 550 Music/Epic Soundtrax label. Boosted by its myriad songs, it has reached number 39 on the Billboard 200 and number nine on the Top R&B/Hip-hop Albums chart.

Contributing artists

Ice Cube -The legendary American rapper, formerly of rap group N.W.A., contributed two tracks to the album. Meshell Ndegeocello - American Ndegeocello is singer-songwriter and pioneer of the neo-soul movement of the late 90s. Mista Grimm - Californian rapper who shot to fame in the 90s. His song Situation Grimm reached number 97 on the Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles. Raphael Saadiq - Former member of Tony! Toni! Tone!, Saadiq (born Charles Ray Wiggins) is an R&B/soul singer-songwriter. He has collaborated with Mary J Blige and Joss Stone. Tori Amos - Pioneering singer-songwriter who rose to stardom in the 90s with her haunting lyrics. On the soundtrack, she covers REM‘s Loosing My Religion. OutKast - Experimental American hip-hop group famed for the songs Hey Ya and Ms Jackson. Cole Hauser & Michael Rapaport - Two American actors who performed a 27 second interlude for the soundtrack. Rage Against the Machine - Alternative American rock band headed by Zack de la Rocha and recognised for its controversial lyrics. Brand New Heavies - Acid jazz /funk band hailing from London and founded in the 80s. Liz Phair - Singer-songwriter from Chicago. Zhane - R&B and hip-hop duo originating from Philadelphia. Eve's Plum - Alternative grunge-rock group from New York. Stanley Clarke - Highly respected American jazz artist and composer.

Track listing

1. Higher - Ice Cube
2. Something to Think About - Ice Cube
3. Soul Searchin' (I Wanna Know If It's Mine) - Meshell Ndegeocello
4. Situation Grimm - Mista Grimm
5. Ask of You - Raphael Saadiq
6. Loosing My Religion - Tori Amos
7. Phobia - OutKast
8. My New Friend - Cole Hauser & Michael Rapaport
9. Year of the Boomerang - Rage Against the Machine
10. Higher Learning/Time for Change - Brand New Heavies
11. Don't Have Time - Liz Phair
12. Butterfly - Tori Amos
13. By Your Side - Zhane
14. Eye - Eve's Plum
15. The Learning Curve - Stanley Clarke