Mongolian throat singing takes center stage in Ne Zha 2's soundtrack, thanks to the talents of Inner Mongolian throat singer Halamuji, who brings the traditional khoomei singing style to life in the film's musical narrative.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Halamuji shared his approach to creating a timeless soundtrack for the animated blockbuster film, drawing on China's rich cultural heritage and the power of "slow creation".
"For this film, I recorded the throat singing part, alongside other traditional instruments, like the pipa, the suona, and even Dong ethnic music. I hope the soundtrack reflects these diverse cultural elements. This project is deeply rooted in Chinese cultural tradition. There are many overseas enthusiasts who are passionate about Chinese culture, and the film's rich blend of cultural elements will undoubtedly leave them in awe. I hope the international audiences will like it," he said.
Halamuji noted that China's long history has fostered a rich musical diversity, with instruments from the Western Regions and beyond evolving into a wide range of unique forms.
"I hope they can pay attention to the movie's soundtrack, and connect with the culture it embodies. I hope our traditional music can be more widely used," he said.
For Halamuji, the ancient art of Khoomei holds a special significance, one that he believes is deeply connected to the value of patience and dedication in the creative process.
"Throat singing, or Khoomei, is a vocal technique. It produces multiple harmonic melodies simultaneously. That's its magic. Generally speaking, people can't make multi-layered harmonies simultaneously like this. What's most valuable for me today is committing to ‘slow creation.’ Only through slow, deliberate work, can something truly refined emerge. Just like director Jiaozi's philosophy of 'taking 10 years to sharpen a sword,' such persistence holds immense power. Therefore, we should learn from this and push ourselves to the limit at every stage until we no longer can. In this fast-paced era, staying grounded will lead to remarkable works or achievements. My goal is to create my own music, a fusion of ethnic styles, and share it worldwide, so that people can hear and see this unique cultural palette," he said.
"Ne Zha 2" has shattered numerous box office records since it was released on the Chinese mainland during the Chinese New Year and on Tuesday dethroned Disney's 2024 picture "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.
Mongolian throat singing steals show in Ne Zha 2's authentic soundtrack
