Here’s why Beyoncé featured Shatta Wale on The Lion King: The Gift album

“It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but …” – Beyonce on why she put Shatta Wale and other African artistes on her album.

23-time Grammy Award-winning superstar Beyoncé featured Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale on her new album inspired by the 2019 Walt Disney Pictures film ‘The Lion King’.

Beyoncé who talked about the 14-track album explains what went into picking the performers and the theme for the album.

“This is a sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.”

The ‘Single Ladies’ hitmaker also explained her choice of performers on the album, saying she did not only look at the most interesting artists but the best African producers too.

“I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. Each song was written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation. 

“It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me,” Beyonce said.

Other African musicians featured on the album aside from Shatta Wale are Tekno, Yemi Alade, Mr. Eazi, Burna Boy, Wiz Kid and Tiwa Savage.

source: Pulse Ghana