#makeva

This week in “Villain songs are hard as f*ck but so satisfying to get right!”

It's been a minute since I felt so good about my writing skills. Also, I think I truly understand what Stephen Schwartz means when he says “tell the truth and make it rhyme,” it isn't easy but somehow it makes things easier.

Can't wait to finish this one! Lyrics below the cut.

And yes the “years go by” segment was inspired by “Once On The Island”.

A while back I mentioned that I was completely starting over with Makevas signature song. I was listening to a lot of Disneys classics (A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, Once Upon a Dream Part of Your World) and some of their new hits (When Will My Life Begin?, Just The Spare (Outtake), For the First Time in Forever, Let It Go, How Far I’ll Go)

That helped me realized that a lot of these songs... are pretty simple. This whole time I was trying to be a smart songwriter instead of just writing songs and seeing what works.

So far I think this song works.

It takes place at Kuvuya festival where Makeva has to sing for her supper. At first, she's very excited, until she steps on stage and sees how removed from the community she is. She goes down to ground level, is honest about who she is and where she comes from before singing...and the crowd loves her!

Read along after the cut.

By now you guys know that I am completely rewriting the Ninki Nanka encounter. I want it to be less of a brute force boss fight and more of an entertaining obstacle that provides insight into both Makeva and Safi's desires and insecurities.

Not to mention providing an opportunity to include (the illusion of) Mami Wata, “a water deity venerated in West, Central, and Southern Africa, and in the African diaspora in the Americas. Mami Wata spirits are usually female but are sometimes male. Traditions on both sides of the Atlantic tell of the spirit abducting her followers or random people whilst they are swimming or boating. She brings them to her paradisiacal realm, which may be underwater, in the spirit world, or both.[3] Should she allow them to leave, the travelers usually return in dry clothing and with a new spiritual understanding reflected in their gaze. These returnees often grow wealthier, more attractive, and more easygoing after the encounter.“ - Wikipedia.

You remember Sebara? Read about her here: http://sierranelsonsmusicalblog.tumblr.com/post/180316078621/sebara

You remember the scene where Makeva has to wear a dress just to enter Lungile?

Read it here: http://sierranelsonsmusicalblog.tumblr.com/post/179831153987/annabel-ankara-skater-dress

This is a portion of the song that happens afterward.

JUST LISTEN! Part 2

I created a basic chord progression, bass line and drum beat for the idea I had yesterday.

You know that girl who would rather be alone, puts way too much pressure on herself but instead of outwardly expressing her feelings, beats herself up on the inside? That's Safi.

In her own right, she is an extremely skilled magician who would probably make a fantastic Doctor in real life. She has a passion for helping others not to mention a natural talent for the bedside manner.

However, she has made mistakes in her past that she rarely ever speaks of mostly due to internal shame.

This results in her face naturally looking hard. She's the girl that you assume is popular, mean and always conspiring against you. In reality, she just has a resting bitch face, and whenever anyone approaches her, she is the epitome of kindness and consideration.

The is a limit however to the amount of incompetence she can stand. She is a utilitarian by way of her nomadic lifestyle; she accepts no frills.

Her early interactions with Maki are filled with sarcasm and barbs because of their fundamentally contrasted childhoods, but their mutual respect for each other grows the more they concede to each other's strengths and understand each other's weaknesses.