Photo credit: Russell Hamilton
Kamasi Washington’s score for Becoming, director Nadia Hallgren and Higher Ground Productions’ documentary profiling First Lady Michelle Obama, is out today via Young Turks Recordings. Listen here.
The score features new original music Washington—whom Hallgren asked to join the project very early in its development—composed for the film as well as selections from his catalog. Watch a trailer for the film, available now on Netflix, here.
“Working with Kamasi Washington on the musical score for Becoming was a dream come true,” says Hallgren. “Not only is Kamasi a masterful musician, he also has a unique sensitivity that he pours into his music. His music reaches deeply into your soul. Mrs. Obama loves music, and when I read the line in her book ‘And heaven, as I envisioned it, had to be a place full of jazz,’ I knew immediately Kamasi was the artist that could interpret her experience musically. His sound is contemporary and timeless, a magical fit to her story.”
“It was such a pleasure and honor to work on Becoming,” says Washington. “Michelle Obama is such an amazing person and this film gives a very unique insight to who she is, how she thinks, and the way she navigates the world. It’s truly inspiring to see! Working with the film’s incredible director Nadia Hallgren to create a musical palette to support this amazing piece was truly a blessing. I’m so thankful to her for the opportunity to be a part of this. Barack and Michelle Obama’s time as President and First Lady had an impact on the history of this country and the world that is hard to put into words, but both Michelle Obama’s book and Nadia Hallgren’s film do an amazing job of it!”
Becoming is an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama during a moment of profound change, not only for her personally but for the country she and her husband served over eight impactful years in the White House. The film offers a rare and up-close look at her life, taking viewers behind the scenes as she embarks on a 34-city tour that highlights the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories.
Kamasi Washington is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer born and raised in Los Angeles. His three bodies of work to date—The Epic; Harmony of Difference, an EP originally commissioned for the 2017 Whitney Biennial; and Heaven and Earth, are among the most acclaimed of the past decade. As Told To G/D Thyself, his short film companion to Heaven and Earth, debuted at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and earlier this year he released his first concert film, Kamasi Washington Live at The Apollo Theater in partnership with Amazon Music. Washington has toured the world over, and collaborated and shared stages with Kendrick Lamar, Florence + the Machine, Herbie Hancock and many more.
KAMASI WASHINGTON—BECOMING
(MUSIC FROM THE NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY)
- Shot Out Of A Cannon
- Becoming
- Take In The Story
- Southside V.1
- Dandy
6. The Rhythm Changes
7. Song For Fraser
8. Announcement
9. Detail
10. Fashion Then and Now - Provocation
12. Connections
13. Looking Forward
14. I Am Becoming
15. Southside V.2
