Move over Wicked! There’s a new musical trend sweeping TikTok, and it’s coming straight from the heart of a lion.
Fans of Mufasa: The Lion King have been flooding For You Pages with creative takes on the emotional hit song, I Always Wanted a Brother.
The track, performed by Braelyn Rankins and Theo Somolu as young Mufasa and Taka (later known as Scar), featuring Aaron Pierre (adult Mufasa) and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (adult Taka) has become a cultural moment, similar to what has been happening with Cynthia Erivo‘s rendition of Defying Gravity.
@nbachin33 😂😂😂😂😂#lionking my brothaaaaaa @Dawn ♬ som original – 🇧🇷
Penned by the multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda, the song captures the complicated bond between the two lion brothers. With lines like “I always wanted a brother / Just like you,” the song reflects the deep-seated love and envy that define their relationship.
Director Barry Jenkins recently shared insights into the song’s creation in an interview with The Quintessential Gentleman.
Unlike most musicals, where songs are developed first, Jenkins revealed that the movie was created before Miranda composed the music. This process allowed the songs to emerge naturally from the story.
“That line at the end of the race, where Taka says, ‘I always wanted a brother,’ it was in the first version of the film that Lin watched, and right away, he said, ‘Oh, that’s the song,’” Jenkins shares.
TikTok creators have embraced the track with open arms, reenacting scenes from the movie, remixing the lyrics into new beats, and even creating heartfelt tributes to their own siblings.
Disney has amplified the buzz by releasing an official music video and a behind-the-scenes clip featuring the cast, giving fans a closer look at the magic behind the song.
Mufasa: The Lion King has already become a box office hit, but I Always Wanted a Brother may become its lasting legacy.
Check out our full interview with Barry Jenkins.
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