Kamasi Washington – Becoming

Released on 15 May 2020 through Young Turks, Becoming was written and recorded under tight deadlines while Washington was on tour. Unlike his sprawling epics such as The Epic or Heaven and Earth, this project demanded brevity and focus. The result is a set of fifteen tracks that function both as standalone pieces and as narrative support for the film.

Critics noted that Becoming reveals a seldom‑heard side of Washington: concision. Where his earlier work sprawled across hours, here he distills his voice into short, potent statements. Reviews praised the album’s warmth and accessibility, with its blend of jazz, funk, and cinematic cues serving both the film and listeners outside it.