Rhythm of the Pride Lands


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. The CD was originally an independent project developed by Jay Rifkin and Lebo M and included songs and performances inspired by, but not featured in the film. As the project developed Disney came on board and supported the project. Most of the tracks were composed by African composer Lebo M and producer Jay Rifkin 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. Several songs featured in the album would later have incarnations in other The Lion King-oriented projects, inspiring Julie Taymor's stage musical or the direct-to-video sequels, such as "He Lives in You". As of April 1997, the album had sold more than 900,000 copies and by October 1998 was certified platinum.
"Lea Halalela " and "Lala" were adapted into, respectively, "Shadowland" and "Endless Night" for the stage musical version. "Warthog Rhapsody", which delved deeper into the origins of Pumbaa than "Hakuna Matata" did, was originally recorded to be included in the movie, but was cut out during storyboard and never animated. The song was later reworked with new lyrics into the song "That's All I Need" for The Lion King 1½.
Rhythm of the Pride Lands was initially printed in a very limited quantity. Today it is available digitally through the iTunes Store.

Track listing

The initial release of the album included the following tracks:
  1. "He Lives in You" – 4:51
  2. :Music and lyrics by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
  3. :Arranged by Mark Mancina
  4. :Produced by Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
  5. :Performed by Lebo M with Maxi Anderson, Max Ngcobo, Khanyo Maphumulo, Khululiwe Sithole and Rose Stone
  6. "Hakuna Matata" – 4:24
  7. :Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Tim Rice
  8. :Arranged by Fabian Cooke and Mark Mancina
  9. :Produced by Jay Rifkin, Fabian Cooke and Mark Mancina
  10. :Performed by Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M
  11. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" – 3:33
  12. :Music and lyrics by George David Weiss, Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti, Albert Stanton and Solomon Linda
  13. :Additional lyrics by Lebo M
  14. :Arranged and produced by Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
  15. :Performed by Lebo M
  16. "Kube" – 3:46
  17. :Music by Caiphus Semenya and Lebo M; Lyrics by Caiphus Semenya
  18. :Arranged by John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
  19. :Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
  20. :Performed by Lebo M with Khanyo Maphumulo
  21. "Lea Halalela " – 6:02
  22. :Music and lyrics by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M
  23. :Arranged by Hans Zimmer and John Van Tongeren
  24. :Produced by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
  25. :Performed by Khululiwe Sithole
  26. "It's Time" – 4:26
  27. :Music and lyrics by Jay Rifkin, John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
  28. :Arranged by John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
  29. :Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
  30. :Performed by Lebo M
  31. :Engineered by Randy Noble
  32. "One by One" – 3:10
  33. :Music and lyrics by Lebo M
  34. :Arranged by Lebo M
  35. :Performed by Lebo M & South African Choir
  36. "Warthog Rhapsody" – 3:06
  37. :Music by Elton John; Lyrics by Tim Rice
  38. :Arranged by Hans Zimmer and Bruce Fowler
  39. :Produced by Hans Zimmer, Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
  40. :Performed by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella
  41. "Lala" – 4:34
  42. :Music and lyrics by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
  43. :Arranged by John Van Tongeren
  44. :Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
  45. "Busa" – 4:04
  46. :Music and lyrics by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
  47. :Arranged by John Van Tongeren and Lebo M
  48. :Additional vocal arrangements by Mbongeni Ngema
  49. :Performed by Lebo M & South African Choir
  50. "Noyana" – 5:13
  51. :Traditional African Folk Song
  52. :Arranged by John Van Tongeren, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M
  53. :Produced by Jay Rifkin and John Van Tongeren
In 2003, Rhythm of the Pride Lands was included in some international versions of The Lion King's special edition soundtrack with an additional track:
  1. "Circle of Life"
  2. : Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice; performed by Disney Channel Circle of Stars