Written by Graham Clark
The internet has been buzzing about the announcement of a Space Jam sequel starring Lebron James. It will have a lot to live up to. The original Space Jam came out in 1996, and its soundtrack put a spotlight on popular R&B and hip-hop musicians of the day. In celebration of the greatest soundtrack for a film about a sports figure and his animated pals ever made, we present a list of 10 little-known facts about Space Jam: the soundtrack.
Bugs Bunny raps on the song "Buggin'.” The song was written by Shawn Carter, better known now as Jay Z.
The voice of Bugs Bunny in the movie and on the soundtrack is provided by Billy West. He is also the voice of Fry from Futurama, Doug from Doug and both Ren and Stimpy.
NBA superstar Michael Jordan personally asked R. Kelly to record a song for the soundtrack.
According to R. Kelly, when Biggie Smalls first heard the song "I Believe I Can Fly," he burst into tears and said, "They gonna be playing that when you and I have moved on to the other side of time." In his memoir, Soulacoaster, Kelly says the song came to him in a dream when he was nine years old.
Monica's track "For You I Will" was written by a pair of Canadians: David Foster and Diane Warren.
"Hit ‘em High" was produced by the production duo Trackmasters, who also produced other soundtrack hits such as Will Smith’s “Men In Black” (from Men In Black) and Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Women” (from Charlie’s Angels).
Seal's cover of Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle" included samples from Miller's original.
Songs that appear in the film but not on thesoundtrack include: "Misirlou", "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)", "Pump Up The Jam" and the "Barber of Seville Overture".
The soundtrack went double platinum in 2 months and by 2001 was certified 6 times platinum.
There's still a very old page on the internet dedicated to the soundtrack. I insist you check it outhere.