Chance The Rapper Was A ‘Nostalgia Consultant’ For Disney’s ‘The Lion King’

We’re all stoked to see Beyoncé and Donald Glover as Nala and Simba in Disney’s new The Lion King CGI reboot. (If you’re not, you don’t have a heart). I mean, we practically weeped when we finally saw Bey in the movie’s first trailer (though admittedly, it was kind of a tease). But it appears no one is as hyped about the film as Chance The Rapper, who had a small part in the film. Aside from voicing the character of Bush Baby (don’t worry, you’re not remembering incorrectly, that character was not in the OG film), the rapper also reportedly worked as a ‘nostalgia consultant’ on the blockbuster… whatever the hell that means.

In a post on Instagram after the film’s premiere, Chance shared how he got the role.

“Here’s a short story. I grew up my whole life obsessed with all things related to #TheLionKing; like all three films, the Timon and Pumbaa tv show, the broadway play and especially the broadway soundtrack,” he wrote.

“Needless to say the original film was immensely impactful on my music and overall life,” Chance continued. “So when my big bro Donald got casted as Simba, he did the coolest thing ever and told director Jon Favreau to call me in as a consultant to keep the original flavour.”

Expanding on the role, he told a Variety reporter at the premiere that he was there to tell director Jon Fabreau “if the movie was too off, which it never was,” adding that Donald Glover got him the gig. Friends in high places, man.

“He told Jon early on that I was like The Lion King aficionado, which I am,” he laughed.

I don’t know about all of that, but I do know I’ll be quitting my job immediately to start work as an anger consultant on all moody teen dramas from now on. Thanks.