The popular children’s program, Reading Rainbow, made a comeback recently with a fresh host, and Bukola, an artist from Vancouver, was chosen to put a new spin on the beloved theme song.
Expressing her excitement via email, Bukola shared, “I’m still in disbelief that I have the opportunity to be the vocalist for the updated Reading Rainbow theme! It’s truly a privilege.”
Originally composed by Steve Horlick, Dennis Neil Kleinman, and Janet Weir for the show’s premiere in 1983, the initial Reading Rainbow theme was performed by Tina Fabrique for the first 16 years. Following Fabrique, Bahamian artist Johnny Kemp took on a subsequent rendition briefly, and the third version featured Chaka Khan until the series went off the air in 2006.
Bukola reminisced about watching the show with her sister, who, along with their father, was so enamored with the theme song that they sang it throughout the house. The Nigerian Canadian artist received an email from a contact she met through the Vancouver International Film Festival Amp program, connecting emerging artists with industry professionals. Sony was working on a Reading Rainbow reboot and invited Bukola to record a demo, leading to her eventual selection for the project.
Collaborating with her vocal coach, Lorraine Lawson, and producer, Anthony Anderson, Bukola aimed to honor the original song while infusing her unique artistry into the new version. She particularly enjoyed adding multiple vocal layers and harmonies to create a magical rendition, crediting Steve Smith for his excellent mixing work.
The revamped Reading Rainbow premiered on Oct. 4, with the first of four episodes airing on YouTube. The new host, Mychal Threets, known as Mychal the Librarian, was introduced in the episode, which featured appearances by actors Jamie Chung from The Hangover Part II and III, as well as Ebon Moss-Bachrach from The Bear, demonstrating reading activities with cats at a local animal shelter.
Bukola’s rendition of the theme song, retaining the original lyrics, serves as a fitting introduction to the show’s new era. She expressed her desire for listeners to feel the same warmth and comfort from her version as they did from Tina Fabrique’s performances.
The article also mentions Bukola’s participation in CBC Music’s Road to the Junos series, showcasing her original music.