Lin-Manuel Miranda felt pressure writing ‘Mufasa’ songs since original ‘Lion King’ album was ‘all bangers’

Lin-Manuel Miranda, known for his iconic works like Hamilton and In the Heights, is feeling the weight of high expectations as he writes music for Mufasa: The Lion King, the upcoming Disney film. Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Miranda spoke about the pressure he felt while crafting songs for the movie, especially considering the legacy of the original Lion King soundtrack.

The Lion King album, released in 1994, has become a staple in pop culture, with timeless tracks like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” that still resonate with audiences today. Miranda acknowledged the challenge of stepping into that world, saying the original album was a collection of “all bangers, no skips.” He knew that any new music he wrote would have to live up to that standard. He also pointed out that the original album’s brevity—only a few songs—made it even more significant, each track carrying a special weight. “I went into every song in Mufasa with that energy of, ‘This is a no skips album,’” Miranda said, highlighting how determined he was to maintain the same level of quality.

Miranda’s experience working on the film also introduced him to some new creative challenges. In addition to writing empowering songs for female characters, he was tasked with writing a ballad for the film’s characters. Miranda noted that many of the Disney characters he had written for in the past had been strong, independent heroines, but this time he had to craft a more emotional, tender moment. “I got to write like a ballad,” Miranda said, reflecting on how the song differed from his usual style.

Another interesting challenge Miranda faced was the need to write a villain song, something he had never really done before. After seeing online comments suggesting that he didn’t write such songs, Miranda took it as a personal challenge. He responded by penning a villain track for Mufasa, which will be sung by Mads Mikkelsen, who plays the film’s main antagonist. Miranda’s competitive spirit shines through as he proudly shared, “Like Michael Jordan, I took that personally.”

Aside from working on Mufasa, Miranda is juggling a number of other projects, including a concept album titled Warriors. This album will feature collaborations with some of hip-hop’s biggest names, such as Nas, Lauryn Hill, and Ghostface Killah. The album blends Miranda’s musical versatility with these influential artists, creating an exciting new chapter in his career. Yet, despite his packed schedule, Miranda continues to be meticulous about balancing his projects, ensuring that his work maintains the level of excellence that fans have come to expect from him.

Mufasa: The Lion King will hit theaters on December 20, bringing Miranda’s new music to the big screen. As audiences await the release, there’s a palpable sense of excitement surrounding the movie, both for its connection to the beloved Lion King franchise and for the fresh musical direction Miranda is bringing to it. As Miranda continues to thrive in the entertainment world, his efforts with Mufasa prove that he’s still striving to elevate the craft of musical storytelling to new heights. Whether writing ballads, villain songs, or collaborating with hip-hop legends, Miranda’s work remains as dynamic and impactful as ever.

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