Beyonce’s highly anticipated visual album, BLACK IS KING, released today (July 31). Beyonce dedicated the album to her son, 3-year-old Sir Carter.
At the end of the film, Beyonce revealed that the visual album is in honor of Sir, who Beyonce shares with her husband, rapper Jay-Z, along with their daughters, 8-year-old Blue Ivy and 3-year-old Rumi Carter. The message reads: “Dedicated to my son, Sir Carter. And to all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon bow for you. You are the keys to the kingdom.”
BLACK IS KING is a companion piece to her 2019 soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift, which she made for Disney’s 2019 The Lion King remake. An unapologetic celebration of “the breadth and beauty of Black ancestry,” BLACK IS KING tells the story of a young man’s quest for self-discovery through Beyonce’s narration, and it focuses heavily on African traditions and Black history.
The visual album features not only Sir Carter, but Rumi and Blue Ivy also make cameo appearances, along with Tina Knowles (Beyonce’s mom). In addition to them, BLACK IS KING features a star-studded cast that includes not just Beyonce, but also Jay-Z, supermodel Naomi Campbell, actress Lupita Nyong’o, singer Kelly Rowland and Pharell Williams. It also featured many African artists who previously worked on The Gift with Beyonce, including Ghanaian artists Shatta Wale and Lord Afrixana, and Nigerian artists Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade.
In a recent appearance on Good Morning America, Beyonce spoke about how “excited” she was that BLACK IS KING is finally out. “My hope for this film is that it shifts the global perception of the word Black, which has always meant inspiration and love and strength and beauty to me,” says Beyonce. “But BLACK IS KING means Black is regal and rich in history in purpose and in lineage. I hope y’all love it.”
BLACK IS KING is out now on Disney+.
