A graphic novel gives you the pictures, the characters and the story. But have you ever wondered what the world inside those pages would actually sound like?
That is the idea behind The Musicals of Lagelu, a new feature from ComicsDI exploring the music created for its Afrofuturistic graphic novel, Lagelu: The Kingdom on Four Hills.
The project brings together Yoruba chants, poetry and cinematic music to give the fictional kingdom its own sound and atmosphere. And it is an interesting way to look at how African creators can take storytelling beyond illustrations and speech bubbles.
One of the musical elements highlighted is the Èsà Yoruba chant, a traditional form of oral poetry associated with honouring ancestors.
Including a cultural form like this raises an interesting question: what would the traditions of a future African kingdom sound like?
That is part of what makes Lagelu worth watching. Instead of using African culture only in the characters’ clothing or the design of its world, the project explores how cultural traditions can influence the way that world sounds and feels.
The music also includes two pieces: The Lagelu Anthem and Symphony of a New Dawn. The first is imagined as an anthem belonging to the kingdom itself, while the second blends African chant and rhythm with bass guitar and cinematic orchestral sounds.
Together, they give the project another way to introduce audiences to the world of Lagelu.
ComicsDI is also thinking beyond the graphic novel itself. Its Lagelu Creator’s Collector’s Edition brings together the 115-page graphic novel, a behind-the-scenes sketch companion called The Lagelu Codex, and the two musical pieces.
That means readers can explore not only the finished story, but also some of the creative work behind it and the music designed to accompany its world.
It is an approach that could open up interesting possibilities for African comics. A fictional universe can inspire music, animation, games and other creative projects, giving audiences more ways to connect with the story. Of course, making those extensions successful takes time, resources and an audience willing to follow the journey.
Why This Matters for African Storytelling
African creators have plenty of stories to tell, but building a fictional world that feels distinctive takes more than good artwork. It also means thinking about the culture, history, sounds and traditions that shape the world.
With Lagelu, ComicsDI is exploring what happens when Yoruba cultural expression becomes part of an imagined future.
The music may be an additional part of the project, but the idea behind it is bigger: African stories can carry their cultural identity into new worlds without leaving that identity behind.
What do you think? Would you like to see more African graphic novels explore music and sound as part of their storytelling?
Read the full feature: The Musicals of Lagelu — ComicsDI
Explore the world of Lagelu: ComicsDI’s official Lagelu page
What do you think African graphic novels could achieve by incorporating indigenous music, oral poetry and other cultural traditions into their fictional worlds? Share your thoughts in the comments.