Recorded: January 1993 — April 1994
Studio
- Media Ventures, Los Angeles
- BOP Studios, South Africa
- Tuff Gong Studios, Jamaica
- Talawah Studios, Los Angeles
- Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles
- Record One, Los Angeles
Released: February 28, 1995
Label: Walt Disney Records
Length: 47 minutes
Format: CD and Cassette
All songs performed by Lebo M., except Hakuna Matata, performed by Jimmy Cliff featuring Lebo M.; Lea Halalela, performed by Khuluiwe S’thole; and Warthog Rhapsody, performed by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella
Produced by Jay Rifkin
* Produced by Jay Rifkin and JVT
** Produced by Jay Rifkin and Mark Mancina
*** Produced by Jay Rifkin, Fabian Cooke, Mark Mancina
+ Produced by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin, Mark Mancina
++ Produced by Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin, JVT
All songs co-produced by Lebo M., except Warthog Rhapsody and Hakuna Matata
Executive Producers: Andy Hill and Harold J. Kleiner
Recorded and Mixed by Jay Rifkin and Alan Meyerson
Vocal Arrangements by Lebo M.
Recorded and Mixed at Media Ventures, Los Angeles and BOP Studios, South Africa
Hakuna Matata Recorded at Tuff Gong Studios, Jamaica and Talawah Studios, Los Angeles
Warthog Rhapsody Recorded at Ocean Way Studios and Record One, Los Angeles
He Lives in You ** ✔️
Lyrics and Music by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Lebo M.
Arranged by Mark Mancina
Lead Vocal: Lebo M.
Vocal Solos
- Maxi Anderson
- Khanyo Maphumulo
- Max Ngcobo
- Khuluiwe S’thole
- Rose Stone
Drums: Simon Phillips
Bass: Abe Laboriel
Guitar: Trevor Rabin
Background Vocals
South Africa: South African Choir
USA: Maxi Anderson, Ron Kunene, Ricky Nelson, Rose Stone, Oren Waters, Terry Young
© 1995 Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP), Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
Hakuna Matata ***
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Elton John
Arranged by Fabian Cooke and Mark Mancina
Performed by Jimmy Cliff featuring Lebo M.
Keyboards: Fabian Cooke, Mark Mancina, and Michael Hyde
Drums: Dave Owens
Guitar: Paul Jackson Jr. and Steve Verhault
Bass: Fabian Cooke
Brass Section
Rass Brass featuring
Trumpet — Junior “Chico” Chin
Saxophone — Dean Fraser
Trombone — Ronald “Nambo” Robinson
Background Vocals
Jamaica: Fabian Cooke, Marie “Twiggie” Gittens, Pam Hall, Lynette Lewis, Leba Hibbert Thomas
United States: Maxi Anderson,
© 1995 Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
The Lion Sleeps Tonight **
Lyrics and Music by George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore
Arranged by Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
Lead vocal: Lebo M.
Kube *
Lyrics by Caiphus Semenya
Music by Caiphus Semenya and Lebo M.
Arranged by JVT and Lebo M.
Lead Vocal: Lebo M.
Lea Halalela (Holy Land) ++
Lyrics and Music by Lebo M. and Hans Zimmer
Arranged by Hans Zimmer and JVT
Drums: Simon Phillips
Guitar: Robbie
Bass: Abe Laboriel
Vocal Solo: Khuluiwe S’thole
Background Vocals
South Africa: South African Choir
United States: Maxi Anderson, Ron Kunene, Ricky Nelson, Rose Stone, Oren Waters, and Terry Young
© 1995 Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP), Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
It’s Time *
Lyrics and Music by Lebo M., John Van Tongeren, and Jay Rifkin
Arranged by JVT and Lebo M.
Lead Vocal: Lebo M.
Guitar: Robbie
Background Vocals
South Africa: South African Choir
United States: Maxi Anderson, Ron Kunene, Ricky Nelson, Rose Stone, Oren Waters, and Terry Young
© 1995 Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP), Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
One by One ✔️
Lyrics and Music by Lebo M.
Arranged by Lebo M.
Vocal Solo: Lebo M.
Vocals: South African Choir
© 1995 Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP)
Warthog Rhapsody +
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Elton John
Arranged by Hans Zimmer and Bruce Fowler
Lead Vocals: Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella
© 1995 Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
Lala * ✔️
Lyrics and Music by Lebo M., Hans Zimmer, and Jay Rifkin
Arranged by JVT
Lead Vocal: Lebo M.
Background Vocals: South African Choir
© 1995 Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP), Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
Busa
Lyrics and Music by Lebo M., Hans Zimmer, Jay Rifkin
Arranged by JVT and Lebo M.
Additional Vocal Arrangement by Mbongeni Ngema
Lead Vocal: Lebo M.
Background Vocals: South African Choir
© 1995 Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP), Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
Noyana (A Traditional African Folk Song) *
Arranged by Lebo M., JVT, Jay Rifkin
Drums: Simon Phillips
Guitar:
Background vocals: South African Choir
© 1995 Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP), Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
Dedication: “I would like to dedicate my work on this project to my late brother… E. Morake and my best friend … Your spirit is my inspiration. May your souls rest in peace.” — Lebo M.
The Producers wish to thank: Chris Montan, Andy Hill, Don Hahn, Peter Schneider, Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff, the entire staff of Tuff Gong, Caiphus Semenya, Kamilla Rifkin, Vanessa Rifkin, Sam Schwartz, Zoë Zimmer, Suzanne Zimmer, Harold J. Kleiner, and all the staff of Walt Disney Records.
Lebo M. wishes to thank: His parents, …
Copyright © 1995 The Walt Disney Company
Phonographic Copyright: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Inc.
Printed in U.S.A.
Album Information
March 25, 1995: #23 Billboard chart (Billboard 200)
October 1998: Platinum — Over 900 thousand copies sold (RIAA)