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Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedSeptember 23, 2016 (2016-09-23)
Recorded2015–2016
Length1:02:55 (standard)
1:40:17 (deluxe)
LabelWalt Disney
Producer
Various
Singles from Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  1. "Back to Life"
    Released: September 9, 2016 (2016-09-09)

Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2016 American film Queen of Katwe directed by Mira Nair. It was released by Walt Disney Records on September 23, 2016.[1] The film, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and ESPN Films, stars David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, and Madina Nalwanga, and depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a girl living in Katwe, Uganda, who learns to play chess and becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her victories at World Chess Olympiads.[2] The film is based on inscripts from the ESPN magazine article and a book written by Tim Crothers, based on her life.

The film's incidental music is composed by British musician Alex Heffes.[3] The soundtrack consists of African pop and Afrobeat music, performed by rap artists originating from Africa and America, including Grammy Award-winning Alicia Keys, MC Galaxy, A Pass, Eddy Kenzo, Jose Chameleone, Afrigo Band, Moses Matovu and several artists. The score consisted of popular Ugandan music. Keys' single track "Back to Life" was released for promotional purposes on September 9, prior to the album release. A deluxe edition of the album was also released on the same day, that included Heffes' score along with the songs.

Development

In January 2016, Alex Heffes was announced as the film's music composer.[3] Speaking to Film Music Magazine, Heffes stated that the score is very "thematic, gentle and orchestral" in comparison to his score for miniseries Roots, though the film is set in Africa.[4] He added the storyline is "universal" and "There are plenty of authentic Ugandan needle drop tracks in the film to set the scene so the score could concentrate more on the music story telling".[4]

Nair's son Zohran Mamdani a.k.a. Young Cardamom had curated and produced the soundtrack, while also acting as the music supervisor, along with Linda Cohen.[5][6] He took inspiration from the musical scene in Katwe streets "to immerse the audience in the modern sound of Kampala".[7] Mamdani had also recorded the track "#1 Spice" with HAB.[8][9] In an interview to Teen Vogue, they stated that the song was curated several months ago, and while working as the music co-ordinator with Cohen, Mamdani had asked to provide an original song which they demanded that the character should sing along to in two scenes.[8] He further exclaimed "The writing part was also interesting because it’s about salt farming, which we knew nothing about, but was central to the story of Phiona and the people around her. We researched what that whole experience was like and reading about those messed up realities and how much it can affect your body was intense. We found ways to work that into the narrative so listeners can learn something from it as well. I think overall, the song really captured the ethos of the film: the cycle of struggle, hustle and celebration."[8]

The soundtrack featured several other prominent artists, mostly from African countries, including: Radio and Weasel, MC Galaxy, A Pass, P-Square, Davido, Jose Chameleone, Afrigo Band, Moses Matovu, Eddy Kenzo, Joanita Kawalya amongst several others.[1] "Back to Life" an original song performed by 15-time Grammy Award-winning Alicia Keys was released as a promotional single on September 9, 2016.[10] Explaining that the film's storyline, inspired her to write the song, Keys said that "This song is about how there’s no stopping when you’re determined and you believe in yourself."[11][12]

Track listing

Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Standard edition[13]
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."#1 Spice"Young Cardamom & HAB3:50
2."Sekem"MC Galaxy3:58
3."Budo!"Alex Heffes2:05
4."Tuli Kubigere"A Pass3:17
5."Bomboclat"Jose Chameleone featuring Weasel3:45
6."Brian, My Brother!"Alex Heffes1:00
7."Skelewu"Davido3:09
8."Juicy"Radio and Weasel3:46
9."It Is Fine"Alex Heffes1:03
10."Engoma Yange"Nsubuga Saava Karim4:26
11."Wuuyo"A Pass4:21
12."Oswadde Nnyo"Afrigo Band and Moses Matovu3:29
13."Mbilo Mbilo"Eddy Kenzo3:50
14."Escape from Hospital"Alex Heffes0:57
15."Nfunda N'omubi"Afrigo Band and Joanita Kawalya2:48
16."Kiwani"Bobi Wine4:49
17."The Promise of Harriet"Alex Heffes1:16
18."Kyempulila"A Pass2:26
19."Home Again"Michael Kiwanuka3:31
20."Back to Life"Alicia Keys4:54
21."Shekini"P-Square3:38
Total length:62:55
Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)[14]
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
21."Am I Ready?"Alex Heffes2:16
22."We Have a Champion"Alex Heffes1:15
23."New World"Alex Heffes2:01
24."Phiona Wins Joseph"Alex Heffes2:46
25."At the Threshold"Alex Heffes1:28
26."Father Grimes – Commence Play!"Alex Heffes1:09
27."Such Aggressiveness in a Girl Is a Treasure"Alex Heffes1:20
28."You Make a Plan Mama"Alex Heffes2:43
29."Is This Heaven?"Alex Heffes1:43
30."Like Ghosts"Alex Heffes1:45
31."Olympiad"Alex Heffes4:00
32."The Water Takes Everything It Wants"Alex Heffes3:17
33."Robert Katende, I Am Your Mother"Alex Heffes1:47
34."School"Alex Heffes1:37
35."Entering Rwabushenyi"Alex Heffes1:24
36."You Belong Here"Alex Heffes4:17
37."We Are Home"Alex Heffes2:26
Total length:100:27

Reception

LaughingPlace.com wrote that "The authentic African music makes you feel connected to the film’s characters and the city of Katwe" and praised Heffes' score stating "worth a listen isolated from the film and offers a very unique listening experience".[15] Claudia Pigg of TheWrap wrote "The Afrocentric soundtrack and score by Alex Heffes utilizing native Ugandan instruments, is delightfully infectious".[16] Mihr Fadnavis of Firstpost had stated that "Alex Heffes’ wonderful soundtrack that features native Ugandan instruments beautifully complements the visuals on the screen, which may leave you with a moist tear duct or two."[17] NewsBytes-based Emma Meconi called the music and dancing was "uplifting" which "revealed the true character of the Ugandans, that of a joyful spirit, resilient nature and happy hearts."[18]

Release history

Date Format(s) Label Ref.
September 23, 2016
Walt Disney Records [19][20]
September 30, 2016 CD [21][22]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Allmusic[23]

  • Soundtrack producer – Mira Nair, Young Cardamom
  • Score producer – Alex Heffes
  • Music supervisors – Young Cardamom, Linda Cohen
  • Music production supervisor – Ryan Hopman
  • Music editors – Jim Bruening
  • Engineers – Chris Barrett, Peter Cobbin, Carlo "Illangelo" Montagnese, Ann Mincieli
  • Music programming – Beth Caucci
  • Music mixing – Peter Cobbin, Carlo Montagnese
  • Mastering – Patricia Sullivan Fourstar, David Kutch
  • Music assistance – Sean Klein, Brendan Morawski, Jon Schater
  • Score conductor – Rebecca DaleMusic preparation – Colin Rae
  • Score co-ordinator and contractor – Hilary Skewes
  • Score editor – Cécile de Tournesac
  • Score mixing – Kirsty Whalley
  • Orchestration – Tommy Laurence, John Ashton Thomas
  • Orchestra leader – Jonathan Morton
  • Executive in-charge of music – Mitchell Leib
  • Creative art – Kaylyn Frank
  • Technical coordinator – Red Bennett

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Black Reel Awards February 16, 2017 Outstanding Original Song "Back to Life" – Alicia Keys, Illangelo and Billy Walsh Nominated [24]

References

  1. ^ a b "'Queen of Katwe' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Robinson, Joanna (August 16, 2015). "Why Lupita Nyong'o, Not Superheroes, Represents the Future of Disney". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Alex Heffes to Score Mira Nair's 'Queen of Katwe'". Film Music Reporter. January 16, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Schweiger, Daniel (May 24, 2016). "Interview with Alex Heffes". Film Music Magazine. Archived from the original on September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  5. ^ "Mira Nair's son Zohran will provide the soundtrack to her film Queen of Katwe". Hindustan Times. September 12, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Mira Nair's Queen of Katwe will see rise of her son Zohran Kwame Mamdani as Ugandan rapper". Lokmarg - News Views Blogs. September 13, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  7. ^ "Mira Nair's son composes soundtrack for Queen of Katwe". www.radioandmusic.com. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "How 2 Best Friends Created the Anthem for 'Queen of Katwe'". Teen Vogue. October 24, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "Lupita Nyong'o Stars in the Music Video for Queen of Katwe's "#1 Spice"". OkayAfrica. September 23, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  10. ^ Calvario, Liz (September 11, 2016). "Listen to Alicia Keys Sing the Ballad She Wrote for 'Queen of Katwe'". IndieWire. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  11. ^ Lawrence, Derek. "'Queen of Katwe' Story Inspired Alicia Keys to Write a New Song". EW.com. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Alicia Keys Gets "Back To Life" With Inspirational Song For Queen Of Katwe". Essence. October 26, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  13. ^ "Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  14. ^ "Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]". iTunes. September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  15. ^ Reif, Alex (September 30, 2016). "Soundtrack Review: Queen of Katwe". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  16. ^ "'Queen of Katwe' Toronto Review: David Oyelowo Mentors a Chess Champ in Uplifting Tale". TheWrap. September 10, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "Queen of Katwe review: This feel-good film is Mira Nair's most interesting since The Namesake". Firstpost. October 7, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "Review: Queen of Katwe : newsbytes". newsbytes.com.au. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  19. ^ Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), September 23, 2016, retrieved June 22, 2022
  20. ^ Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack/Deluxe Edition), September 23, 2016, retrieved June 22, 2022
  21. ^ VARIOUS ARTISTS, Queen of Katwe, retrieved June 22, 2022
  22. ^ VARIOUS ARTISTS, Queen of Katwe, retrieved June 22, 2022
  23. ^ Queen of Katwe [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Various Artists | Credits | AllMusic, retrieved June 22, 2022
  24. ^ Davis, Clayton (December 14, 2016). "Black Reel Award Nominees – 'Moonlight' Leads with 13 Nominations". AwardsCircuit.com. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
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