| Rhythm of the Pride Lands | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | February 28, 1995 |
| Recorded | January 1993–April 1994 |
| Studio | Media Ventures (Los Angeles) Ocean Way (Los Angeles) Snake Ranch (London) Angel (London) BOP studios (Mmabatho) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 47:13 |
| Label | Walt Disney |
| Producer | |
Rhythm of the Pride Lands is an audio CD released on February 28, 1995, by Walt Disney Records, a "sequel" to the original motion picture soundtrack of the animated film The Lion King (1994). Most of the tracks were composed by Lebo M, Jay Rifkin, and Hans Zimmer and focused primarily on the African influences of the film's original music, with most songs being sung either partially or entirely in various African languages.
The CD was originally an independent project developed by Rifkin and Lebo M and included songs and performances inspired by, but not featured in the film. As the project developed, Walt Disney Records came on board and supported the project as then-newly appointed senior vice president Carolyn Mayer Beug sought to expand Disney Records' foray into adult contemporary music.[1]
Several songs featured on the album would later have incarnations in other The Lion King-oriented projects, inspiring Julie Taymor's stage musical and the direct-to-video sequels, such as "He Lives in You". For example, the songs "Lea Halalela (Holy Land)" and "Lala" were adapted into, respectively, "Shadowland",[2] and "Endless Night"[3] for the stage musical adaptation. "Warthog Rhapsody", which delved deeper into Pumbaa's origins, was originally recorded to be included in the movie, but was replaced with "Hakuna Matata". The song was later reworked with new lyrics into the song "That's All I Need" for The Lion King 1½ (2004).
Rhythm of the Pride Lands was initially printed in a very limited quantity. Today, it is available digitally through the iTunes Store.[4]
- ^ Heffley, Lynne (September 26, 1995). "At Disney Records It's Also an Adult World, After All". Los Angeles Times. pp. F1, F9. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
- ^ Harris, Aisha (June 12, 2014). "The Great, Forgotten Soundtrack to The Lion King. (Not the One You Think)". Slate. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ Osatinski, Amy S. (2019). Disney Theatrical Productions: Producing Broadway Musicals the Disney Way. Taylor & Francis. p. 109. ISBN 978-0429662744.
- ^ "Rhythm of the Pride Lands". Apple Music. Retrieved September 8, 2020.