The Netflix series “Forever” succeeds at conveying the powerful emotions of first love. Coupled with Justin and Keisha’s contrasting lifestyles and family dynamics, the teen love affair allowed audiences to “see themselves,” says music supervisor Kier Lehman, reflecting on the overwhelmingly positive reactions to Season 1.
“Young people can see themselves in it and connect with their own Justin and Keisha experiences as kids in their relationships and home life,” he told Variety. “These lifestyles, found in two different types of families, offer an experience that people can relate to or aspire to. Feeling that connection that draws them further into the story.”
The same gravitational pull could be said of Lehman’s contributions to curating the soundtrack for the season. His music selection highlights include featuring Daniel Caesar’s “Blessed” during a heartwarming reunion between Justin and Keisha at Martha’s Vineyard, which he recalled was an “emotional climax for them as characters after going through one of their break or get-back together moments.” Even more buzzworthy: Frank Ocean’s “Moon River” playing in the final episode as the duo went their separate ways after breaking up.
The show, set in Los Angeles in 2018, is based on the Judy Blume classic book, and gave Lehman the chance to transport audiences back to a time where hip-hop and R&B dominated the charts with Los Angeles-based artists like SZA, Tyler, the Creator, Nipsey Hussle, Victoria Monét, among others.
“Those artists have come a long way from being young, independent artists in the city,” Lehman said. “They’ve matched the tone of the city, created a sound that influences people who have grown up in Los Angeles and puts them together in a fresh way.”
Working on “Forever” was an opportunity for him to “expand and go in different directions” while revisiting his former “Insecure” playlist to rediscover popular artists and songs from that time.
“This is a different show,” he explained. “There are different characters and different sounds, so I got to expand and go in different directions. The sounds of that show [“Insecure”] were great because there were things that I didn’t get to do, artists that I wanted to work with and use their music at that time that I’ve been a big fan of.”
Lehman pointed out that curating the acclaimed “Forever” soundtrack was a collaborative effort with creator and producer Mara Brock Akil, whose primary goals were to evoke nostalgia and highlight the biggest music influences from L.A. during that period. “We made sure that we celebrated artists from L.A. that reflected the areas from South L.A. to the [Hollywood] Hills that would connect with the characters of Justin and Keisha.”
Justin and Keisha’s soundtracks were naturally influenced by their parents, according to Lehman. Justin’s parents listened to jazz and early ’90s R&B, whereas Keisha’s mom preferred current and female empowerment genres. “Even if it’s in the background, it’s important that we’re showing what the musical influences from the parents that are passed along to the kids.”
Throughout the season, the nostalgia continued with songs by Masego, H.E.R., Migos, Trippie Redd, Travis Scott and Jhene Aiko with a lively, choreographed dance to Saweetie’s “My Type” at Justin and Keisha’s senior prom.
“I grew up in L.A., so I have an extra special connection to the music and city of Los Angeles,” Lehman said. “I grew up as a big music fan, exploring the city’s music scene and venues. It was a special opportunity for me to continue to highlight the amazing artists that have developed in Los Angeles and given the city its unique sound, especially through hip hop and R&B.”
