For Disney’s upcoming holiday-time movie, the company has decided to go back to a more innocent era where animated films were created the old-fashioned way — using Silly Putty, tree bark and typewriters.  Okay, okay…I’m exaggerating.  However, they have decided to ditch the current computer graphics format for a traditional 2-D style similar to yesteryear classics such as Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.

While Disney is going retro with one aspect of The Princess and the Frog, they’re breaking old cultural habits in another.  The main character, Princess Tiana will represent Disney’s first princess of African-American descent (out of 9 previous ladies who’ve worn the crown).  This shows through in the film as a lot of the musical numbers accompanying The Princess and the Frog are African-influenced with some New Orleans-style jazz and blues.

Princess Tiana is voiced by actress Anika Noni Rose.  In the featurette below, Rose speaks about her favorite characters and delves into the smooth, uplifting soundtrack of The Princess and the Frog.

“Ma Belle Evangeline”
Walt Disney Pictures
The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack

“Friends on the Other Side”
Walt Disney Pictures
The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack

“Dig a Little Deeper”
Walt Disney Pictures
The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack

“Almost There”
Walt Disney Pictures
The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack

Source(s):
Sneak Peek at the Soundtrack for Disney’s Princess and the Frog [inside pulse]
African-American crowned Disney Princess [The DePaulia]