‘Black Is King’ Teaser: Beyoncé’s Visual Album Inspired By ‘The Lion King’ Drops On Disney+ In July
The Queen has returned. A year after Disney’s CG remake ofThe Lion Kinghit theaters alongsideBeyoncé’s accompanying music album inspired by the iconic songs of the animated film, Disney suddenly announced that the music superstar is releasing a visual album,Black is King, on Disney+. Written and directed by Beyoncé,Black is Kingtakes songs from herThe Lion King-inspired albumThe Giftand “reimagines the lessons ofThe Lion Kingfor today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns.” Watch theBlack is Kingteaser below.
Black is King Teaser
It wouldn’t be a Beyoncé album without a surprise release, but there are extra layers of the unexpected to the superstar’s upcomingBlack is King. Inspired by her albumThe Lion King: The Gift, which recruited several artists to create music inspired by the music ofThe Lion King, the visual album looks to be an exceptionally powerful statement on the Black experience and way more radical than anything Disney+ has ever debuted. Remember, this is the streaming platform thatcensored mermaid buttsandgave away a LGBTQ teen seriesto Hulu over “adult themes.” While Beyoncé’s originalThe Giftalbum was indeed unfiltered in its tackling of the Black experience, it still felt very much like a separate entity from Disney. But here Disney+ is, hosting a Beyoncé visual album that is sure to tap into the pulse of the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement and touch on uncomfortable racial issues.
Black is King, which Beyoncé writes, directs, and executive produces, was in production for one year and was created to “reimagine the lessons of “The Lion King” for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns.” The visual album will feature videos for hit songs from the album including “My Power,” “Mood 4 Eva” and “Brown Skin Girl” in “a story for the ages that informs and rebuilds the present.”
Here is the synopsis forBlack is King:
The voyages of Black families, throughout time, are honored in a tale about a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity. His ancestors help guide him toward his destiny, and with his father’s teachings and guidance from his childhood love, he earns the virtues needed to reclaim his home and throne. These timeless lessons are revealed and reflected through Black voices of today, now sitting in their own power. “Black Is King” is an affirmation of a grand purpose, with lush visuals that celebrate Black resilience and culture. The film highlights the beauty of tradition and Black excellence.
Black is Kingwill premiere globally on Disney+ onJuly 31, 2020, a little after the one-year anniversary of the July 2019 release ofThe Lion Kingremake.
