| Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | September 23, 2016 (2016-09-23) |
| Recorded | 2015–2016 |
| Length | 1:02:55 (standard) 1:40:17 (deluxe) |
| Label | Walt Disney |
| Producer | Various
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| Singles from Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
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Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is thesoundtrack to the 2016 American filmQueen of Katwe directed byMira Nair. It was released byWalt Disney Records on September 23, 2016.[1] The film, produced byWalt Disney Pictures andESPN Films, starsDavid Oyelowo,Lupita Nyong'o, andMadina Nalwanga, and depicts the life ofPhiona Mutesi, a girl living inKatwe,Uganda, who learns to play chess and becomes aWoman Candidate Master after her victories atWorld Chess Olympiads.[2] The film is based on inscripts from theESPN magazine article and a book written byTim Crothers, based on her life.
The film's score is composed by British musicianAlex Heffes.[3] The soundtrack consists ofAfrican pop andAfrobeat music, performed by rap artists originating fromAfrica andAmerica, includingGrammy Award-winningAlicia Keys,MC Galaxy,A Pass,Eddy Kenzo,Jose Chameleone,Afrigo Band,Moses Matovu and several artists. The score consisted of popularUgandan 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.
In January 2016,Alex Heffes was announced as the film's music composer.[3] Speaking toFilm Music Magazine, Heffes stated that the score is very "thematic, gentle and orchestral" in comparison to his score for miniseriesRoots, 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 sonZohran 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 inKatwe streets "to immerse the audience in the modern sound ofKampala".[7] Mamdani had also recorded the track "#1 Spice" with HAB.[8][9] In an interview toTeen 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-timeGrammy Award-winningAlicia 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]
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "#1 Spice" | Young Cardamom & HAB | 3:50 |
| 2. | "Sekem" | MC Galaxy | 3:58 |
| 3. | "Budo!" | Alex Heffes | 2:05 |
| 4. | "Tuli Kubigere" | A Pass | 3:17 |
| 5. | "Bomboclat" | Jose Chameleone featuringWeasel | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Brian, My Brother!" | Alex Heffes | 1:00 |
| 7. | "Skelewu" | Davido | 3:09 |
| 8. | "Juicy" | Radio and Weasel | 3:46 |
| 9. | "It Is Fine" | Alex Heffes | 1:03 |
| 10. | "Engoma Yange" | Nsubuga Saava Karim | 4:26 |
| 11. | "Wuuyo" | A Pass | 4:21 |
| 12. | "Oswadde Nnyo" | Afrigo Band andMoses Matovu | 3:29 |
| 13. | "Mbilo Mbilo" | Eddy Kenzo | 3:50 |
| 14. | "Escape from Hospital" | Alex Heffes | 0:57 |
| 15. | "Nfunda N'omubi" | Afrigo Band andJoanita Kawalya | 2:48 |
| 16. | "Kiwani" | Bobi Wine | 4:49 |
| 17. | "The Promise of Harriet" | Alex Heffes | 1:16 |
| 18. | "Kyempulila" | A Pass | 2:26 |
| 19. | "Home Again" | Michael Kiwanuka | 3:31 |
| 20. | "Back to Life" | Alicia Keys | 4:54 |
| 21. | "Shekini" | P-Square | 3:38 |
| Total length: | 62:55 | ||
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21. | "Am I Ready?" | Alex Heffes | 2:16 |
| 22. | "We Have a Champion" | Alex Heffes | 1:15 |
| 23. | "New World" | Alex Heffes | 2:01 |
| 24. | "Phiona Wins Joseph" | Alex Heffes | 2:46 |
| 25. | "At the Threshold" | Alex Heffes | 1:28 |
| 26. | "Father Grimes – Commence Play!" | Alex Heffes | 1:09 |
| 27. | "Such Aggressiveness in a Girl Is a Treasure" | Alex Heffes | 1:20 |
| 28. | "You Make a Plan Mama" | Alex Heffes | 2:43 |
| 29. | "Is This Heaven?" | Alex Heffes | 1:43 |
| 30. | "Like Ghosts" | Alex Heffes | 1:45 |
| 31. | "Olympiad" | Alex Heffes | 4:00 |
| 32. | "The Water Takes Everything It Wants" | Alex Heffes | 3:17 |
| 33. | "Robert Katende, I Am Your Mother" | Alex Heffes | 1:47 |
| 34. | "School" | Alex Heffes | 1:37 |
| 35. | "Entering Rwabushenyi" | Alex Heffes | 1:24 |
| 36. | "You Belong Here" | Alex Heffes | 4:17 |
| 37. | "We Are Home" | Alex Heffes | 2:26 |
| Total length: | 100:27 | ||
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 ofTheWrap wrote "The Afrocentric soundtrack and score by Alex Heffes utilizing native Ugandan instruments, is delightfully infectious".[16] Mihr Fadnavis ofFirstpost 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]
| Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 23, 2016 | Walt Disney Records | [19][20] | |
| September 30, 2016 | CD | [21][22] |
Credits adapted fromAllmusic[23]
| 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] |
