Kelvin Harrison Jr. explores 'Mufasa's' musical influences, including Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Hamilton'
Share this @internewscast.com

LOS ANGELES — After its nearly 3-month-long run in theaters, “Mufasa: The Lion King” has finally made its way to Disney+!

In celebration of its streaming release, On The Red Carpet sat down with star Kelvin Harrison Jr. for a deep dive into the music.

The soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Moana,” “Encanto”), has produced several hit songs, most notably, “I Always Wanted A Brother,” which features the voices of Harrison Jr. as Taka, Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, Theo Somolu as Young Taka and Braelyn Rankins as Young Mufasa.

When Harrison Jr. started recording his tracks, he told us the studio sent him three songs, with Miranda on the demos!

The star first listened to “We Go Together.” “But it wasn’t fully done,” he said. “It was all Lin singing on the track. ‘I Always Wanted a Brother’ was already Theo and Braelyn on the track already when I got it, so I was really excited about that, because it felt like more of the movie! Granted, Lin, what an incredible performance from him,” he laughed. “His ‘Brother Betrayed’ is really where ‘Brother Betrayed’ sits!”

The demos reminded Harrison Jr. of a few hit musicals.

“‘Brother Betrayed’ though, reminded me of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and that’s why I was like, ‘This is like that moment in the movie.'”

With Miranda on the track, the tunes sounded like a certain notable musical. “It’s so ‘Hamilton’ sometimes. It’s so funny.”

With a roledex of songs written by one of the most successful songwriters of the century, we asked how Harrison Jr.’s acting choices were impacted by the music.

"Mufasa: The Lion King" is streaming on Disney+

“Mufasa: The Lion King” is streaming on Disney+

Walt Disney Studios

“What Lin was able to pinpoint with ‘I Always Wanted A Brother’ was really special, because it’s one thing to read the script and you know, that story point, at that moment is that he’s about to accept this outsider into his family, and it’s because of this desire to have community and desire to have somebody who is more like him,” he explained. “But Lin being able to turn it into a musical world and feel the rhythm and the protective nature. It’s some of the lyrics, ‘What did you say about my brother.’ You know what I mean? It’s the- it’s that brotherly bond that’s unbreakable. Um well, at least you think in the moment!”

The music allowed him to understand Taka in a new light.

“It was easier for me to figure out what the tempo of Taka was, and I think in the earlier session when I was performing him, I had a more villainous kind of undertone from the get-go. That song opened it up to sound a little bit brighter and lighter and more optimistic and positive.”

Kelvin Harrison Jr. poses at karaoke.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. poses at karaoke.

IG: @KELVHARRJR

The “Mufasa” tracks have even made their way to karaoke joints in New York City! He dished on singing his own song, “Brother Betrayed,” during a night out.

“I was really looking for ‘I Always Wanted a Brother.’ I didn’t see that one, but ‘Brother Betrayed’ for some reason was on that particular system, and my favorite part was ‘Made famous by Kelvin Harrison Jr.’ I just started dying laughing!”

Sing along to all the songs from “Mufasa: The Lion King,” streaming now on Disney+.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Disney+ and this ABC station.

Copyright © 2025 OnTheRedCarpet.com. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Influencer Who Encouraged Occupying Homes Deported After Leading Squatter Group

The Trump administration deported a Venezuelan illegal immigrant who gained a large…

Understanding the Georgia Survivor Justice Act: Potential Impacts on Incarcerated Domestic Abuse Survivors

ATLANTA — Mary Favors is still plagued by nightmares from the days…

University of Minnesota Student Held by ICE; Authorities Demand Clarification

MINNEAPOLIS — Officials in Minnesota are seeking answers in the case of…

Architect David Childs, the brain behind One World Trade Center at the former Twin Towers site, passes away

David Childs, the lead architect of the One World Trade Center skyscraper…

Trump pursues various avenues of revenge as promised, with some targets conceding and others resisting.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The executive order directed at one of the country’s…

White House Plans to Cut Down Historic Magnolia Tree Planted During Andrew Jackson’s Era

(The Hill) – The White House will remove from its property a…

Don Jr.’s Girlfriend Upset by Critical Article, Shares Mysterious Social Media Messages

Donald Trump Jr.’s girlfriend has made her frustration known over a recent…

Shamed Kanye West expresses remorse for fathering children with Kim Kardashian during a bizarre interview in KKK attire

Kanye West made a shocking admission during his interview with DJ Akademiks about his…

French Nationalist Leader Marine Le Pen Convicted of Misusing Public Money, Prohibited from Running for Election

Marine Le Pen, a prominent French politician, alongside eight other members from…

Houston Triumphs Over Tennessee, Advances as Third Top Seed to NCAA Final Four

Houston has advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball…

South Carolina Death Row Prisoner Cites ‘Sovereign Citizen’ Defense to Avoid Execution

Lawyers for a South Carolina man on death row are arguing that…

The Treasury Depleted $286B from Its Cash Reserves Last Month

The US Treasury Department has burned through cash at a historic rate…