It features covers of classic songs from Chess Records' singers as performed by the film's actors including Beyoncé (as Etta James), Eamonn Walker (as Howlin' Wolf) and Jeffrey Wright (as Muddy Waters).

It also features original songs from contemporary artists such as Beyoncé's sister, R&B singer Solange Knowles and rapper Nas.

Additionally, Beyoncé's "At Last", released as the only single from the soundtrack, won a Grammy for the Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.

Knowles' co-writers for the song were Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring and Jody Street.

[1] At the Golden Globes, "Once In a Lifetime" lost out to Bruce Springsteen's title track for the movie The Wrestler.