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Music in films and video games does more than set the mood—it can transport audiences to new worlds, evoke deep emotions, and bridge cultural divides. In recent years, composers have increasingly drawn on global musical traditions, weaving authentic or creatively adapted elements into their scores to enrich storytelling. From the pulsating African rhythms in Black Panther to the haunting taiko drums in Ghost of Tsushima, these cultural influences add layers of meaning and resonance. This article explores how composers integrate diverse musical traditions into modern film and game scores, highlighting the theory, context, and impact of their choices. Through ten vivid examples, we’ll see how scales, instruments, and rhythms from around the world shape unforgettable cinematic and gaming experiences.
The Power of Cultural Context in Scoring
When composers incorporate cultural elements, they’re not just borrowing sounds—they’re telling stories rooted in history, geography, and identity. This approach can ground a fictional world, like the futuristic yet ancestral Wakanda in Black Panther, or enhance a historical setting, as in Ghost of Tsushima’s feudal Japan. The process often involves researching traditional instruments, scales, or vocal techniques, then blending them with Western orchestral traditions or electronic textures. The result is a score that feels both specific and universal, honoring its source while appealing to global audiences.
This trend reflects a broader shift in media toward authentic representation. Composers like Ludwig Göransson and Yuka Kitamura collaborate with cultural consultants or local musicians to ensure respect and accuracy. Yet, they also take creative liberties, adapting traditional sounds to fit narrative needs. The challenge lies in balancing authenticity with accessibility—using a pentatonic scale to evoke East Asia, for instance, without reducing it to a stereotype. Let’s dive into how this plays out across films and games, with examples that showcase the artistry and theory behind these scores.
African Influences in Film Scores
Wakanda’s Sonic Identity in Black Panther
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther (2018), directed by Ryan Coogler, introduced audiences to Wakanda, a fictional African nation untouched by colonialism. Composer Ludwig Göransson crafted a score that fused African musical traditions with orchestral and electronic elements, creating a sound as vibrant as the film’s world.
In the Film: The track “Wakanda” plays during a sweeping aerial shot of the nation, revealing its blend of advanced technology and traditional culture. Göransson uses talking drums, like the West African djembe, and kora, a 21-string harp-lute, to anchor the rhythm and melody. The percussion drives the energy, mimicking the polyrhythms common in West African music, while the kora’s delicate arpeggios add a regal quality. Vocals by Senegalese singer Baaba Maal soar over the mix, their melismatic style evoking communal celebration. This combination underscores Wakanda’s pride and unity, contrasting with the orchestral swells that hint at its global power.
Trivia: Göransson spent weeks in Senegal and South Africa, recording with local musicians and studying instruments. He used the tamani, a smaller talking drum, to mimic human speech patterns, reflecting Wakanda’s oral traditions. The score’s pentatonic scales nod to African folk music but are layered with chromatic harmonies for a modern edge.
The Lion King’s Enduring Legacy
Disney’s The Lion King (2019), a photorealistic remake directed by Jon Favreau, saw Hans Zimmer revisit his iconic 1994 score, with contributions from Lebo M. The music draws heavily on South African choral traditions and percussion.
In the Film: “Circle of Life” opens the film, accompanying a sunrise over the savanna. Lebo M’s Zulu chant, “Nants’ Ingonyama,” performed by the Ladysmith Black Mambazo choir, sets a spiritual tone. The mbira and log drums create a rhythmic foundation, while Zimmer’s orchestral strings add cinematic grandeur. The interplay of call-and-response vocals and driving percussion mirrors the communal storytelling of African oral traditions, grounding the scene in cultural weight.
Trivia: Lebo M’s contributions were inspired by isichathamiya, a South African a cappella style. Zimmer avoided over-Westernizing the score by prioritizing acoustic percussion over synthesizers, a departure from typical Hollywood tropes. The remake’s score was recorded with a 90-piece orchestra and a 60-voice choir in Johannesburg.
East Asian Influences in Games and Film
Ghost of Tsushima’s Feudal Soundscape
Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Tsushima (2020) immerses players in 13th-century Japan during a Mongol invasion. Composers Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi crafted a score rooted in Japanese musical traditions, using traditional instruments to evoke samurai honor and natural beauty.
In the Game: The track “The Way of the Ghost” plays during a pivotal duel, with taiko drums driving the tension and shakuhachi, a bamboo flute, adding a mournful melody. The taiko’s deep, resonant beats mimic the rhythm of combat, while the shakuhachi’s breathy timbre reflects the protagonist Jin’s inner conflict. The use of the koto in quieter moments adds delicate, plucked textures, evoking Japan’s landscapes.
Trivia: Eshkeri studied with a shakuhachi master in Japan to capture its expressive range. The score uses the yo scale, a Japanese pentatonic scale, to create an authentic harmonic palette. Umebayashi, known for In the Mood for Love, brought a lyrical quality to the score’s romantic themes.
Mulan’s Blend of Tradition and Modernity
Disney’s Mulan (2020), directed by Niki Caro, features a score by Harry Gregson-Williams that incorporates Chinese musical elements to honor the story’s cultural roots.
In the Film: “Mulan’s Transformation” plays as Mulan cuts her hair and dons her father’s armor. The erhu, a two-stringed fiddle, leads with a poignant melody, its vibrato conveying her resolve and vulnerability. Pipa flourishes and guzheng strums add rhythmic texture, while orchestral strings provide emotional weight. The hirajoshi scale grounds the melody in Chinese tradition, creating a sense of cultural authenticity.
Trivia: Gregson-Williams worked with Chinese musicians to record the traditional instruments, ensuring accurate techniques. The score avoids clichéd “Oriental” motifs, instead using modal harmonies to blend East and West. The track features subtle electronic textures, reflecting Mulan’s modern reinterpretation.
Middle Eastern and South Asian Influences
Dune’s Desert Soundscape
Legendary Pictures’ Dune: Part One (2021), directed by Denis Villeneuve, features a score by Hans Zimmer that evokes the arid planet Arrakis, inspired by Middle Eastern musical traditions.
In the Film: “Gom Jabbar” underscores a tense scene where Paul faces a test of endurance. The oud, a fretless lute, weaves a hypnotic melody, while ney flutes add a breathy, mystical quality. The maqam system, with its microtonal scales, shapes the harmony, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Percussive darbuka rhythms drive the intensity, mirroring the desert’s harshness.
Trivia: Zimmer collaborated with vocalist Loire Cotler for improvised vocal lines inspired by Arabic mawwal. He used custom-built instruments, like a “scraper drum,” to evoke Arrakis’ alien landscape. The score’s microtonal shifts challenge Western tuning conventions.
Sekiro’s Buddhist Undertones
FromSoftware’ Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019) features a score by Yuka Kitamura that draws on Japanese and Buddhist musical traditions to enhance its Sengoku-era setting.
In the Game: “Divine Heir of the Dragon’s Heritage” plays during a serene moment at a temple. The biwa, a short-necked lute, delivers a sparse, haunting melody, while shomyo, Buddhist chant, adds a meditative drone. The in scale creates a somber harmonic backdrop, reflecting the game’s themes of mortality.
Trivia: Kitamura studied shomyo chanting to capture its spiritual depth. The biwa’s percussive plucking mimics samurai combat rhythms, a nod to the instrument’s historical use in storytelling. The score uses minimal orchestration to emphasize solitude.
Latin American Influences
Coco’s Mexican Heartbeat
Pixar Animation Studios’ Coco (2017), directed by Lee Unkrich, celebrates Mexican culture, with a score by Michael Giacchino that incorporates mariachi and folk traditions.
In the Film: “Un Poco Loco” plays during a lively performance in the Land of the Dead. The guitarron and vihuela drive the mariachi rhythm, while trumpets and violins add festive energy. The son jalisciense style, with its syncopated strumming, captures the joy of Mexican music, reinforcing the film’s celebration of family.
Trivia: Giacchino worked with Mexican musicians to ensure authenticity, recording in Mexico City. The song’s simple diatonic harmony reflects folk traditions, while its upbeat tempo mirrors the Day of the Dead’s vibrant spirit. The track was co-written by Germaine Franco.
Encanto’s Colombian Rhythms
Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto (2021), directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, features a score by Germaine Franco that draws on Colombian musical styles like cumbia and vallenato.
In the Film: “Colombia, Mi Encanto” accompanies a montage of the Madrigal family’s magical home. The accordion, central to vallenato, leads the melody, while caja vallenata drums provide a syncopated beat. The bombo adds deep percussion, evoking Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The bright, major-key harmony reflects the story’s warmth.
Trivia: Franco, the first Latina to score a Disney animated film, collaborated with Colombian musicians like Carlos Vives. The score uses jota rhythms to nod to Colombia’s diverse folk traditions. The track was a chart-topping hit in Latin America.
Cultural influences in film and game scores do more than add exotic flair—they deepen narratives, honor traditions, and expand the sonic palette of storytelling. From the djembe-driven pride of Black Panther to the cedar flute’s quiet strength in Prey, these examples show how composers weave global sounds into universal stories. By grounding their work in research and collaboration, they create music that resonates across borders, inviting listeners to explore new cultures through sound. For fans of film and game music, these scores are a reminder of music’s power to connect us to the world’s rich tapestry.
This post was brought to you in collaboration with our partner site Behind the Score. Discover the Harmony Secrets of Modern Film and Video Games.
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