Games

Civilization 4 was the first game to win a Grammy — here’s how

BBG News

Civilization 4 was the first game to win a Grammy — here’s how

As I reflect upon my journey through the world of music, from composing the iconic “Baba Yetu” for Civilization IV to my recent opera commission at the prestigious Kennedy Center, it’s clear that the landscape of music has transformed dramatically since the days of Video Games Live’s debut at the Hollywood Bowl. The Grammy win in 2011 was indeed a pivotal moment, not just for me, but for the recognition and acceptance of video game music as a legitimate art form.

Should you conquer others, control the majority of the land, venture into space, or strive to be a global leader? Given such ambitious goals, the game needed a powerful start. And for “Civ 4“, that meant beginning with a musical masterpiece: “Baba Yetu,” the game’s renowned title song composed by independent musician Christopher Tin.

Civilization 4 was the first game to win a Grammy — here’s how

Check out our special issue TopMob FM, a week of stories about all the places where music and games connect — retrospectives, interviews, and much more.

First debuting in 2005 alongside the game, “Baba Yetu” has garnered recognition far beyond the realm of video games and will always be a significant part of gaming history. In 2009, Tin added the tune to his classical album, “Calling All Dawns“. This addition made “Baba Yetu”, which Time Magazine referred to as a “stirring, anthemic theme song”, eligible for nomination at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. On February 13, 2011, it won, making “Baba Yetu” the first piece of music created for a video game to receive a Grammy (winning in the category of “Best Instrumental Arrangement With Vocalist(s)”).

To the present day, Tin’s life continues to be significantly influenced by this aspect. In the month of May, Tin collaborated with the Washington National Opera to organize the “Christopher Tin Sing-In”, an event that was jointly hosted with the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra. This gathering welcomed singers and gamers alike to perform songs from Tin’s Civilization compositions. (Notably, Tin has revisited the Civilization series with his work “Sogno di Volare” for Civilization 6, and he’s built a thriving career as a composer in video games, films, and various other fields. His music can be heard in titles such as PGA 2K21, Splitgate, Civilization Online, and Karateka, to name a few.)

Last week, Tin informed TopMob that he had initially anticipated approximately 150 attendees for the Civilization event. However, over 1,200 individuals registered instead. “The event turned out to be a massive hit,” he stated. “We managed to expose many gamers to the realm of opera, and conversely, introduced opera enthusiasts to video game music as well.”

In a digital conversation via email with TopMob, Tin delved into the process of crafting “Baba Yetu” for Civilization 4 and the influential role of music in video games. Being an admirer of the original game, Civilization, and its subsequent installments, Tin penned his first ever video game composition with “Baba Yetu,” a legacy that continues to endure.

[Ed. note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]

TopMob: What mood or themes were you looking to touch on when creating “Baba Yetu?”

As a gamer and visual enthusiast, the stunning artwork provided by Firaxis for “Baba Yetu” sparked my imagination. One of the first visuals I encountered was an early rendering of the main menu screen – a mesmerizing video loop of Earth from space. It showcased North Africa, with the sun gracefully rising over the horizon every 30 seconds, creating a breathtaking and tranquil scene. In that moment, the opening notes for the composition started echoing in my mind, igniting the creative process for this captivating piece.

Initially, Firaxis requested me to create a blend of African gospel singing, orchestral elements, and grand cinematic percussion. From the onset, the soundscape was predefined. To add a personal touch, I chose to infuse a more upbeat, joyful vibe into the music, which aligns better with traditional African choral music.

Was video game music respected among the wider music community when the song was released?

In 2005, Civilization 4 was launched, and while there were already enthusiasts of video game music, its influence wasn’t as widespread as it is now in popular culture. Although certain game series and composers like Nobuo Uematsu had established fanbases, games weren’t as common or accessible as they are today. Moreover, the technology for games to feature recorded audio instead of MIDI was still emerging, making video game music less recognized outside the industry compared to its current standing.

2005 was an exceptional year for me, not just because Civilization 4 was launched, but also because it marked the debut of Video Games Live at the Hollywood Bowl – a groundbreaking concert series dedicated to video game music. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has drastically changed. Multiple touring video game music concerts are now commonplace, with symphony orchestras around the globe hosting their own video game music events (like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing for the esteemed summer Proms classical concert series in London). Even local communities have established their own video game orchestras. During my recent stay in Washington DC, I had the opportunity to conduct masterclasses with two dedicated game symphony orchestras in the area! The passion for video game music is undeniable, and it’s fascinating to see how many young classical musicians today find inspiration in video game soundtracks.

What changed from 2005 to the Grammy win in 2011?

From my perspective, the shift between 2005, when “Baba Yetu” debuted, and the 2011 Grammys wasn’t primarily about game audio for me; it was more about gaming penetrating mainstream culture. The year 2006 marked the arrival of the Wii, transforming gaming into a family-oriented activity. In 2007, Apple unveiled the iPhone, sparking the birth of mobile gaming. Fast forward to a few years later, and we saw the boom of Facebook games like FarmVille. Gaming gradually became more mainstream and omnipresent, leading me to believe that more people began recognizing it as a thriving industry teeming with creative minds crafting high-quality artistic works.

Do you feel like the Grammy win pushed the video game music industry forward?

For me, it was a significant and prestigious occasion, yet I don’t take personal credit for moving the gaming industry ahead. It seems like just one event amidst the continuous evolution of game development. The gaming sector is magnetizing some of the most talented and imaginative minds globally today. I believe we will witness numerous instances of gaming culture becoming mainstream in the future.

What are you up to now?

As a passionate opera enthusiast who has devoted my life to this captivating art form, I was thrilled when given the unique opportunity to complete Giacomo Puccini’s unfinished masterpiece, “Turandot,” at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington DC this past summer. Having spent many years immersed in the operatic world, I felt a profound sense of responsibility and anticipation as I embarked on this historic endeavor alongside esteemed playwright Susan Soon He Stanton.

The performance was critically acclaimed and completely sold out, leaving me extremely proud to have been involved. What’s intriguing is that my video game music is what landed me the job! One day, Francesca Zambello, the artistic director of Washington National Opera, heard classical tunes coming from her son’s room. Finding it unusual, she asked him about it and discovered he was listening to my Civilization soundtrack! Intrigued, she researched me further, listened to more of my work, and reviewed my qualifications. Shortly after, I received an email inviting me for a meeting to discuss the possibility of composing an opera.

For over a year, our team worked diligently on the commission. Upon arriving in Washington DC, I discovered an open-minded environment where my lack of conventional opera background was not only accepted but welcomed with enthusiasm. The Kennedy Center’s outreach team was particularly eager to involve the public through my gaming persona. The pinnacle of the residency came when the Kennedy Center hosted the Christopher Tin Sing-In, a performance that has gained widespread attention on Instagram. This event was a resounding success, bridging the gap between gamers and the opera world, as well as exposing the opera community to video game music for the first time.

Read More

2024-08-05 18:20

Previous post Tag team wrestling in AEW needs some improvement
Next post Zac Efron shares update after reported accident