Beyoncé has proven once again that she can do it all! Her new visual album Black is King dropped on Disney+ this past Friday (July 31) and it is everything we could have hoped for and more!
The 1-hour-and-25-minute album takes some of the important lessons from The Lion King and transforms them into lessons for kids, especially Black kids. It teaches them love, self-love, identity, and the importance of learning, knowing, and appreciating your roots and culture.
One of the most jaw dropping moments in #BlackIsKing. The spin on mummification and preserving the body for the afterlife. Egyptians saw death as a “temporary interruption” — as they believed in immortality. Hands down one of the illest things Beyoncé has ever brought to life! pic.twitter.com/HymVXraLTf
— JIGGAMAN. (@imtoomuchnigga) August 3, 2020
Not only is the music itself some of Beyoncé’s best work, the visual aspects of this album are absolutely stunning. The outfits, the makeup, the choreography, the videography — whether or not you are a fan of Beyoncé, this album is so visually appealing it’ll impress anyone.
BLACK PARADE FANCAM ??? hope you enjoy ❤️ #BlackIsKing pic.twitter.com/KSRsouAAK3
— BLUEGÉNCY (@LastrassiAnn) August 3, 2020
On top of the important lessons and amazing musical and visual aspects of this film, it also featured dozens of cameos and appearances by other artists and her family! Even though this was Beyoncé’s album, she did not shy away from letting others take a shot at the spotlight, including her husband, rapper Jay-Z, her daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi, her son Sir, her mother Tina Knowles-Lawson, actress Lupita Nyong’o, singers Kelly Rowland, Jessie Reyez, and Pharrell Williams, model Naomi Campbell, and so many more.
Of the 27 tracks in the film, some of my favorites were "My Power" (featuring Beyoncé, Tierra Whack, Moonchild Sanelly, Nija, Busiswa, DJ Lag, and Yemi Alade), "BROWN SKIN GIRL" (featuring Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Saint Jhn, and Wizkid), and "SCAR" (featuring Jessie Reyez and 070 Shake).
Black is King also proves just how easy it is to find Black artists to cast, combating the argument that there “aren’t enough people of color in Hollywood to fill roles.” The fact that this film is available on Disney+ is super important, because it gives Black kids (and adults!) another film all about them.
Beyoncé did a phenomenal job bringing her vision to life with this film, and we hope to see her in more directorial positions in the future — she has proven that she has what it takes!