The live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” has garnered high praise, but one particular song is causing a stir among fans. The film, starring Halle Bailey and directed by Rob Marshall, includes beloved songs from the original 1989 film along with a few new additions.

Differing Opinions On Awkwafina’s Performance As Scuttle

One of the new songs in “The Little Mermaid” is “The Scuttlebutt,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and performed by Awkwafina as Scuttle. This rap song features Scuttle sharing rumors about Prince Eric’s proposal to Sebastian. However, fan reactions to this particular song have been mixed.

Some fans expressed enthusiasm for the song, highlighting its fun nature and the inclusion of Sebastian. They praised Awkwafina’s performance as Scuttle and considered it a perfect fit for the character. However, others had a more critical view, describing the song as bad or terrible and expressing discomfort with Awkwafina’s voice and its distinctiveness.

Disney’s Strategy For Introducing New Songs In The Remake

The introduction of new songs in the remake of “The Little Mermaid” was always going to be a challenge due to the reverence for the original soundtrack. Additionally, the change of Scuttle’s voice from Buddy Hackett’s male portrayal in the 1989 film to Awkwafina’s female voice made her performance stand out even more.

However, Disney’s decision to cast Awkwafina indicates a deliberate strategy to target a younger audience. In recent years, Disney has seen immense success with songs like “Let It Go” from Frozen, “You’re Welcome” from Moana, and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto, all of which resonated strongly with younger fans. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s involvement in writing these songs, including “The Scuttlebutt,” suggests that Disney aimed to create another hit that would captivate the younger demographic.

Ultimately, the success of Awkwafina’s Little Mermaid song will depend on the response from children, who are often the primary audience for Disney’s musical releases. While adult opinions may differ, Disney’s focus on appealing to younger fans remains a key factor in determining the overall reception of the song.