Beyoncé releases her new visual album, Black Is King
Beyoncé has officially released her new visual album, Black Is King, which was first announced back in June. Written, directed, and produced by Bey herself, the project is now (July 31) available to stream in full on Disney+.
Coming in at 85 minutes, Black Is King “reimagines the lessons” of Disney’s live action Lion King reboot from 2019 – which also starred the singer as the voice of Nala – “for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns.”
“The voyages of Black families, throughout time, are honoured in a tale about a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity,” reads the Disney+ description.
The visual album also draws from The Gift, Beyoncé’s album released in parallel with The Lion King, with collaborators including Kendrick Lamar, Tierra Whack, Childish Gambino, Blue Ivy Carter, and Jay-Z. As teased in various trailers in the run up to Black Is King’s release, the accompanying film also features appearances from guests including Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, and Tina Knowles-Lawson.
“Black Is King is a labor of love,” writes Beyoncé in the caption to a June 29 Instagram post. “It is my passion project that I have been filming, researching and editing day and night for the past year. I’ve given it my all and now it’s yours.”
With scenes filmed in the UK, the US, and across South Africa and West Africa, the visuals tap filmmakers including Ibra Ake and “Single Ladies” director Jake Nava.
“The events of 2020 have made the film’s vision and message even more relevant, as people across the world embark on a historic journey,” Beyoncé adds. “We are all in search of safety and light. Many of us want change. I believe that when Black people tell our own stories, we can shift the axis of the world and tell our REAL history of generational wealth and richness of soul that are not told in our history books.”
View the most recent Black Is King trailer below. The full visual album is available to stream via the Disney+ website.
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Thom Waite, Khareem Sudlow
