Best of SA music featured on She Is King soundtrack

Directed by Gersh Kgamedi, the movie features local stars such as Khabonina Qubeka, Khanyi Mbau, Mandisa Nduna, Aubrey Poo and Gugu Zulu.

Other local musicians whose music appears on the soundtrack include Simpiwe Dana, PJ Powers and Joseph Shabalala, as well as a number of traditional Zulu musicians. Songs that feature on the soundtrack include renditions Brenda Fassie’s ‘Higher and Higher’, Simphiwe Dana’s ‘Iliwa Lam’, Gugu Zulu’s ‘Scamtho’ and Lucky Dube’s ‘Too Irie’, among others.  

“We are excited about the soundtrack as it brings together a wonderfully diverse range of local talent, both old and new,” director Gersh Kgamedi told Music In Africa. “With a strong focus on talented young women, the soundtrack is a fresh take on some of the best South African music has to offer. 

He said the movie reflected a variety of South African musical traditions.

“A general concern is that as South Africans we don't celebrate our musical heritage sufficiently. Once the song is off the charts it is shelved and never played. As a result many up-and-coming musicians have no point of reference or music tradition. Hence we revamped some of the old songs and gave them a contemporary feel.

“This is a common practice in the US – young musicians always go back to their music traditions for inspiration and to keep the heritage alive. For example, last year, Nina Simone's music was revamped where you had artists such as Usher and Lauryn Hill covering and giving a modern interpretation of her classics.”

Kgamedi also acknowledged the important role music played in films.

“Since the beginning of movies, even from the ‘silent era’, music has played a role in creating mood. For me it’s inconceivable not to have music composed for a film,” he said.

“Most importantly, film is an aural and a visual medium, therefore music is very important element in storytelling. Our film is a musical and the choice of the songs was quite important in helping drive the plot and enhance the drama.”

Asked what motivated the film-makers to produce to produce She Is King, Kgamedi said: “The South African film industry is on a rise and audiences are beginning to support local movies. It is important as film-makers to begin to make genre films that are accessible to moviegoers.

“We wanted to make a family movie that parents can go and watch with their children, and for us the timing is right to offer something different. That’s why we choose this genre to narrate our story.”