Highest 2 Lowest (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) accompanies the 2025 crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, Jeffery Wright, and others. The film’s music combines a contemporary blend of original songs and score that underscores its narrative rooted in music industry culture and moral tension. The original score was composed by Howard Drossin, a longtime collaborator with Lee, whose work blends orchestral drama with jazz elements to reflect the film’s emotional and urban landscape.
The soundtrack album was released on August 15, 2025, via A24 Music / Apple alongside the film’s theatrical premiere. It features 19 tracks comprising original songs performed by artists including A$AP Rocky, Aiyana-Lee, Jensen McRae, with Drossin’s compositions interwoven throughout. The score runs approximately 50:30, and the full soundtrack runs approximately 74:23. Both the soundtrack and score are available on major platforms including Apple Music, digital download, and streaming services, with official vinyl editions announced.
The score’s musical style is a fusion of sweeping orchestral themes with intimate jazz trio segments, reflecting the film’s mix of high-stakes drama and personal introspection. Drossin’s work underscores character dynamics and narrative tension, while contributions from jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie and curated songs from contemporary artists enrich the film’s sonic identity.
The film also includes licensed and original songs not confined to the score album, featuring diverse genre influences from jazz to modern hip-hop and soul that complement the storyline and on-screen performances.
Composer: Howard Drossin
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Label: A24 Music
Tracks: 19 (soundtrack), 24 (score)
Genre: Film soundtrack / score
Highest 2 Lowest: Tracklist
- Highest 2 Lowest – Aiyana-Lee
- We Got This (Stony Gate 2) – Fergus McCreadie Trio, Howard Drossin
- And Now We Shall Begin – Howard Drossin
- Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’ – Norm Lewis
- All Money Ain’t Good Money – Howard Drossin
- Loving Partners – Fergus McCreadie Trio
- Da Lowdown – Eddie Palmieri & Afro-Caribbean Jazz Octet
- Trunks – A$AP ROCKY
- The Chase – Fergus McCreadie Trio, Howard Drossin
- Paul Begs (Solo Piano) – Fergus McCreadie Trio
- Da Kings – Howard Drossin
- Questioning Kyle – Howard Drossin
- King David – Jensen McRae
- Both Eyes Closed – A$AP ROCKY
- Loving Partners – Howard Drossin
- Puerto Rico – Eddie Palmieri & The Salsa Orchestra
- Paul Begs – Fergus McCreadie Trio
- Brooklyn Hospital – Howard Drossin
- Prisencolin (Americano Joint) – Aiyana-Lee
Score Soundtrack
- Howard Drossin – And Now We Shall Begin
- Norm Lewis – Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’
- Howard Drossin – Coach Foxy
- Howard Drossin – All Money Ain’t Good Money
- Howard Drossin – Loving Partners (Orchestra)
- Howard Drossin – Somebody Got Trey
- Howard Drossin – Kings and NYPD Detecting
- Howard Drossin – Trey Is Found
- Fergus McCreadie – It’s All About the Size
- Howard Drossin – Paul Begs (Score)
- Howard Drossin – Ice Cold
- Howard Drossin – Lobby Talk
- Howard Drossin – Father 2 Son
- Howard Drossin – Balcony Disconnect
- Howard Drossin – Paul On His Knees 1
- Howard Drossin – Paul On His Knees 2
- Fergus McCreadie – Stony Gate
- Fergus McCreadie – We Got This (Stony Gate 2)
- Howard Drossin – Da Kings
- Howard Drossin – Questioning Kyle
- Howard Drossin – These Mean Streets
- Fergus McCreadie – The Chase
- Howard Drossin – Brooklyn Hospital
- Howard Drossin – Free Yung Felon
