Brandy is taking us back to Hillman with the new ‘A Different World’ theme song
TheGrio...
The R&B icon recorded a fresh version of the beloved theme for Netflix’s sequel series, premiering Sept. 24.
Brandy is stepping into Hillman College history with a familiar song and a distinctly new sound.
The R&B star will perform the opening theme for Netflix’s upcoming “A Different World” sequel series, giving the beloved sitcom’s signature song a new interpretation when the show premieres September 24.
Netflix’s Tudum confirmed the news Tuesday, Aug. 11, revealing that Brandy recorded a fresh version of the theme while retaining the recognizable lyrics that generations of viewers associate with the original series.
For Brandy, the assignment carries personal meaning. She told Tudum that A Different World was a show she made a point of watching as a young viewer and that its portrayal of Black college students helped shape how she viewed her own possibilities.
The singer also acknowledged the challenge of following some serious musical history. Aretha Franklin famously performed the theme during much of the original sitcom’s run, making Brandy’s involvement less about replacing a classic than adding another voice to its legacy.
“I just hope I can do it as much justice as Ms. Franklin,” Brandy told Netflix’s Tudum.
The original “A Different World” debuted in 1987 and centered on students navigating life at fictional historically Black Hillman College. The series became a cultural touchstone for its portrayal of Black college life while tackling subjects including race, relationships, politics and personal growth.
The new Netflix series moves that story forward through Deborah Wayne, the daughter of original characters Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. Maleah Joi Moon takes on the role of Deborah, while Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy return as her parents.
Netflix’s earlier look at the sequel confirmed that the new generation will experience Hillman through its own set of academic, romantic and personal challenges, while familiar faces remain part of the world.
Brandy’s connection to the franchise goes beyond music. Her television career includes the hit sitcom “Moesha” and the television film “Cinderella,” and she said seeing performers who looked like her on “A Different World” encouraged her to dream bigger and pursue acting.
Now, nearly four decades after Hillman first appeared on television, her voice will be the one welcoming viewers back to campus.
As Netflix Tudum put it, Brandy’s version brings a “totally fresh sound” to a song that has already earned its place in television history.
The new “A Different World” arrives September 24 on Netflix.