The three-time Grammy Award-winner Raphael Saadiq has been named executive music producer forMarvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, the highly anticipated animated series following 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl) and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, as they protect New York City’s Lower East Side from danger.
Saadiq, who is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer, rose to fame as a member of the multi-platinum soul/R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné! In addition, he has produced songs for artists such as Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, TLC, Mary J. Blige, and others. The multi-hyphenate alsopreviously appeared onscreen withMoon Girlguest star Jennifer Hudson inBlack Nativity, as well as on the Marvel TV seriesLuke Cage, where he performed his songs “Good Man” and “Angel” at the club owned by Cottonmouth, Harlem’s Paradise. Throughout his extensive career, Saadiq has been nominated nearly 20 times for the entertainment industry’s most-coveted awards, including an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, and 15 Grammy Awards.
According to the San Diego Comic-Con 2022 panel, Saadiq joined the crew ofMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaurafter executive producer Steve Loter, who was attending one of Saadiq’s record signings at Amoeba Music, gave the music legend a 30-second pitch about the series. Won over by Loter’s pitch, Saadiq signed on as the executive music producer forMarvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, on which he will lead the songwriting and musical underscore that reflects the many cultures and communities of New York City (hip-hop, pop, R&B, jazz, Jamaican, funk, Latin, etc.).
Saadiq said in the press release, “I am proud to be working with Disney Branded Television on this groundbreaking new series featuring a female African American Marvel Super Hero, who is smart, funny, compassionate and a born leader. I look forward to helping the creative team bring the show to life through music.”
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Episodes of Moon Girl Will Be LIke a “Music Video”
The SDCC 2022 panel also revealed that Lunella needs to listen to some musical jams to get battle ready, so each episode ofMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaurwill feel have a music video feel to it. Given the incredible musical talent appearing as guest stars on the series, such asJennifer Hudson, Method Man, and Daveed Diggs, it’s not surprising that the series will have a strong musical component.
Besides, Moon Girl isn’t only a super-genius with a Dino, she also has passion for music—and it’s a passion she shares with the voice actor playing Lunella, Diamond White. At eight-years-old, White landed a role in the national touring musical ofOprah Winfrey’sThe Color Purple. White’s first love is music, and she auditioned forThe X-Factorin 2012, placing in the top five, which is when her career as an actress, voiceover artist, and singer really took off. Since then, the 23-year-old’s television credits include recurring roles onDear White People,Fresh Off the Boat,black-ish, and as Lala on the final season ofEmpire. Most recently, in 2020, White joined the cast ofThe Bold and the Beautifulas Paris Buckingham.
Based on Marvel’s hit comic books of the same name, the Disney Branded Television seriesMarvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosauris slated to premiere in 2023 on Disney Channel and Disney+. Learn more about Saadiq and his music for the Disney series below:
