Beyoncé is breaking with her own traditions for the upcoming
Black Is King project and has now shared a second (second!) trailer for the visual album. The Grammy winner is set to release what looks to be her most ambitious masterpiece yet on July 31 through Disney+. In her latest sneak peek (a Beyoncé sneak peek – it’s true!), the superstar is revealing that she’s made the personal project a family affair that includes both her relatives and friends, including Lupita Nyong’o and Naomi Campbell.[caption id="attachment_4943587" align="alignnone" width="960"]
Disney+[/caption]Giving the Beyhive their new daily affirmation, Beyoncé’s voiceover opens the latest trailer. “You were formed by the heat of the galaxy. What a thing to be, both unique and familiar,” says Beyoncé. “To be one and the same, and still unlike any other.” Chills. The word you’re looking for is chills.Lupita Nyong’o appears in the new trailer in a blink-and-you’ll-miss her moment that still provides enough time for the Oscar-winner to deliver a gorgeous look into the camera. Models
Naomi Campbell, Adut Akech and Aweng Ade-Chuol all make a stunning appearance in the trailer. In another scene, Beyoncé sips tea in a garden setting with her mother Tina Knowles-Lawson and her former Destiny’s Child bandmate, forever bestie, Kelly Rowland. Bey’s husband Jay Z also makes an appearance in the trailer, acting as the older version of the young boy who the film centers around.[caption id="attachment_4943592" align="alignleft" width="960"]
Disney+[/caption]
Black Is King may also feature a Canadian connection. Around the 36 second mark, it appears that JUNO-winner Jessie Reyez is emerging from a foggy forest setting. Reyez was featured on
The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack and has yet to confirm her involvement in the new film. But TBH, no one ever confirms their involvement in a Beyoncé project. They just slowly explode from the inside out until it’s finally released and they can bring it up in every conversation for the rest of their lives. We assume.
Beyoncé not only stars in the new film, she is also credited as a writer, director and executive producer for the visual album. Bey worked with her frequent collaborators, including her creative director
Kwasi Fordjour, music video directors Jake Nava (“Grown Woman,” “Partition,” “Flawless”) and Pierre Debusschere (“Ghost”) and creative director Ibra Ake, who is best known for his “
This Is America” video with Childish Gambino. Filmmakers Blitz Bazawule, Emmanuel Adjei, Dikayl Rimmasch and Jenn Nkiru also worked together on the collaborative project.In a
press release issued by Disney,
Black Is King is described as loosely following the storyline of
The Lion King. The visual album centers around “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.”Filmed in South Africa, West Africa, New York, Los Angeles and Belgium,
Black Is King includes appearances from several of the artists featured on
The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack. Announcing the project on June 28, Beyoncé revealed she had been secretly working on the visual album for the past year and had originally filmed it as a companion piece for
The Lion King: The Gift. “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,” wrote Beyoncé. “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.”
Black Is King will arrive just a few weeks after the one-year anniversary of
The Lion King arriving in theatres. By partnering with Disney+ for the film’s release, Beyoncé has ensured that her new visual album will be able to
stream throughout most of Africa.[video_embed id='1997256']BEFORE YOU GO: Our hosts can't get enough of this dog standing up for pets[/video_embed]
Disney+[/caption]Giving the Beyhive their new daily affirmation, Beyoncé’s voiceover opens the latest trailer. “You were formed by the heat of the galaxy. What a thing to be, both unique and familiar,” says Beyoncé. “To be one and the same, and still unlike any other.” Chills. The word you’re looking for is chills.Lupita Nyong’o appears in the new trailer in a blink-and-you’ll-miss her moment that still provides enough time for the Oscar-winner to deliver a gorgeous look into the camera. Models Naomi Campbell, Adut Akech and Aweng Ade-Chuol all make a stunning appearance in the trailer. In another scene, Beyoncé sips tea in a garden setting with her mother Tina Knowles-Lawson and her former Destiny’s Child bandmate, forever bestie, Kelly Rowland. Bey’s husband Jay Z also makes an appearance in the trailer, acting as the older version of the young boy who the film centers around.[caption id="attachment_4943592" align="alignleft" width="960"]
Disney+[/caption]Black Is King may also feature a Canadian connection. Around the 36 second mark, it appears that JUNO-winner Jessie Reyez is emerging from a foggy forest setting. Reyez was featured on The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack and has yet to confirm her involvement in the new film. But TBH, no one ever confirms their involvement in a Beyoncé project. They just slowly explode from the inside out until it’s finally released and they can bring it up in every conversation for the rest of their lives. We assume.
