RIYADH: On his first visit to Saudi Arabia, South African music producer and composer Lebo M sat down with Arab News to discuss his storied career creating Disney hits.
Known for creating the distinctive opening chant of the “Circle of Life” from 1994’s beloved “The Lion King,” M returned to the studio for 2024’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” with a song he composed titled “Ngomso” and “We Go Together,” which he co-composed with Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The creative talent brought his iconic sound to Riyadh on Friday, joining forces with renowned composer Hans Zimmer at the Mohammed Abdo Arena as part of Riyadh Season’s calendar of events.
“I got the privilege of leaving (the hotel) and going to the desert and getting the sense of both worlds… I am looking at the evolution of a society of a country in less than five years (since 2018). I appreciated the fact that I came here when it appears that Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world culturally,” he told Arab News after the show.
“I love interacting with people and learning about the country through people, hanging out here and meeting with people... It feels to me like ‘wow,’ I am coming to Saudi Arabia on a new journey of Saudi Arabia that has not been exposed to the world, and that’s exciting.”
M has been in the music business for more than 40 years, starting with his first gig at 13 in Soweto, South Africa, in the midst of apartheid.
Born in 1964, he was forced into exile at the age of 16 after travelling to Lesotho to perform without an ID or passport. After being denied re-entry to South Africa, he settled in Lesotho before moving to the US.
During that time, M faced homelessness but, regardless of the hardships, he continued to pursue his passion for music.
“It never killed my dream of being somebody. When you come from where I come from, where you grew up with people that die young, that politically get arrested, I dreamed that I was going to be somebody,” said M.
“My passion was rerouted, and I discovered Lebo M, the South African artist, because I had something unique.”
His career kickstarted after meeting Zimmer, who recognized his talent and brought him on board to co-write, co-produce, and perform the soundtrack of 1992’s “The Power of One,” which led to global recognition leading to his contributions in “The Lion King.”
