Brandy will sing the theme song for Netflix's upcoming sequel to A Different World, SoulBounce reported on August 14. The outlet says her version carries cooler, more electronic production than earlier takes while keeping the classic lyrics, including the line about it being a different world from where you come from.
The theme has previously been sung by Phoebe Snow, Aretha Franklin and Boyz II Men on earlier versions of the show, and SoulBounce frames Brandy's turn as the newest in that line.
Brandy told Netflix's Tudum she was overwhelmed by the news. "When they called me to do the theme song, I was so blown away," she said, recalling that A Different World inspired her as a kid to believe she could go out and become her own person.
The new series follows Deborah, played by Maleah Joi Moon, the youngest daughter of the original show's Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert-Wayne. Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy return in those roles alongside a new cast, with several original cast members set to appear as Deborah starts college at her parents' alma mater. It premieres on Netflix on Monday, September 24.
Showrunner Felicia Pride oversaw the theme's recording. SoulBounce says the R&B and soul update keeps the song's signature lyrics intact even as the arrangement itself sounds distinctly modern.
The facts
- Brandy will sing the A Different World theme song
- The theme is for the Netflix sequel to A Different World
- Phoebe Snow, Aretha Franklin and Boyz II Men sang it on earlier versions
- The series follows Deborah, daughter of Dwayne and Whitley Wayne
- It premieres on Netflix September 24
- Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy return as Dwayne and Whitley
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