Beyoncé’s Black is King movie is based on The Lion King: The Gift, and it follows Simba's journey but with humans instead of lions. Jon Favreau's The Lion King remake released in summer 2019 and quickly became one of Disney's biggest box office hits of all time, especially considering it wasn't part of the Marvel or Star Wars franchises. And to celebrate its release, Beyoncé curated a number of songs that were inspired by the film, putting them into the album The Gift., which has now been turned into a visual album.
Beyoncé is no stranger to visual albums, debuting the critically acclaimed Lemonade on HBO in 2016 following the surprise release of her album (by the same name) in 2013. In 2019, the equally successful Homecoming premiered on Netflix, featuring an intimate look into the star’s 2018 Coachella performance. Her latest adaption of Disney’s The Lion King remake is just another step towards expanding her repertoire of self-directed projects, aligning herself with yet another major media mogul - this time, Disney.
Black is King is more than a visual representation of The Lion King: The Gift, though, as the film goes the extra mile and overtly connects The Lion King's themes with Black upbringings - particularly in the modern day. Furthermore, its purpose is to focus on “present elements of Black history and African tradition,” morphing the well-known fictional story into a reimagined look at the Black diaspora; a new and refreshing take directed at today’s young “kings and queens.” So instead of Simba’s coming-of-age story, viewers follow a young Black boy’s journey from infancy to adulthood as he navigates various obstacles related to his identity.
The film is an agglomeration of The Gift’s opulent tracks, each distinct video linked by an equally captivating story. As always, Beyoncé’s direct approach to issues of race and discrimination has garnered as much criticism as it has praise, though it is clearly a step in the right direction when it comes to using art as a tool for social commentary. In an Instagram post, Beyoncé explained: “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. 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.”
To help boost its message, Black is King features an impressive international team and boasts well-known names such as Pharrell Williams, Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Jay-Z, and Tina Knowles-Lawson (Beyoncé’s mother). The singer's twins, Rumi and Sir, also make an appearance, while Blue Ivy Carter arguably steals the show; “Brown Skin Girl,” which won Blue Ivy her first BET award, is featured in the film. While viewers may already have a sense of the story after listening to The Lion King: The Gift, they will have to watch Black is King on Disney+ for a fully immersive, visual experience.
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