Meet The Nigerian Musicians Helping Bring 'Lion King' Album To Life

Source: Joseph Okpako / Getty

The Lion King remake hasn’t even officially hit theaters yet, and it’s already the biggest thing in film and music right now — and mostly thanks to Ms. Nahla herself,  Beyonce. No shade to the rest of the folks behind the groundbreaking film, but Bey turned an already iconic moment into that will be embedded in history forever.

The revolutionary soundtrack to the live action Disney film is just the icing on the cake, produced and curated by Bey. The Lion King: The Gift, A Love Letter To Africa, features new songs performed by multiple artists, and six of which are renowned Nigerian musicians.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_-D6Sn6L2/

That’s right. The Queen took it all the way there; all the way Black for this project, and we couldn’t be more proud.

https://twitter.com/BellaAlubo/status/1152103560055808001

It’s dope that so many Nigerian artists who’ve done so much over the years finally get their just due, on the international level. A moment this huge will certainly do a lot to help Afrobeats be fully crossover in America.

https://twitter.com/ijeomaumebinyuo/status/1152194361838526465

So who are these talented folks that not only got to work with the Queen, but got to be featured in one of the biggest films of the year? Hit the flip for the all the deets.

Tekno

Lion King Track: “Don’t Jealous Me”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0GIdOjJvBv/

The 27-year old is known for his smash hit “Pana” which was huge in Nigeria.

Burna Boy

Lion King Track:“Ja Ara E”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzaIDYzFElp/

The Afrofusion singer rose to prominence in 2012 after the release of his single “Like To Party.” He also took home the 2019 BET award for best international act.

Tiwa Savage

Lion King Track: “Keys To The Kingdom”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzqd4wFhEy9/

Tiwa is a vet in the game who has already made her international imprint. But a track on the Lion King soundtrack can’t hurt.

Yemi Alade

Lion King Track: “Don’t Jealous Me”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz6awsJHdzr/

Yemi is a popular Afropop singer/songwriter in Nigeria, best known for her hit single “Johnny”.

Mr Eazi

Lion King Track: “Keys To The Kingdom” & “Don’t Jealous Me”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8JrqznbTv/

Eazi is known as the pioneer of Banku music. A fusion sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns.

WizKid

Lion King Track: “Brown Skin Girl”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzlZpDQJllr/

Wizkid is one of the more notable Nigerian artists, mostly known for his collaboration with Drake on the global hit, “One Dance”.