25 Thoughts I Had While Watching Beyoncé's New Visual Album, "Black Is King"
All hail Queen Bey!
Hi there! Proud member of the Bey Hive here. I've spent the past few years thinking that Beyoncé cannot possibly outdo herself, and once again, Queen Bey has proved me wrong.
Parkwood/ Columbia
On Friday, Yoncé dropped Black Is King on Disney+. My friends, it is glorious. An artistic reimagining of The Lion King in contemporary times, it's a fusion of film, poetry, dance, and music that features many African creatives and landscapes. In essence, it's an ode to Black excellence, and I'm here for it.
CBS
Black Is King is also a visual companion to the album The Lion King: The Gift and Beyoncé's personal passion project.
1. One of Beyonce's first lines is "let Black be synonymous with glory." PREACH, queen! We're off to a great start.
Disney
2. Okay, can we just take a minute to appreciate how precious and beautiful Blue Ivy looks here with her mom?
Disney
3. It's oddly satisfying to see the iconic role of Simba go to an actual human boy rather than an animated lion (though he's awesome too, don't get me wrong).
Disney
4. This image of Beyoncé holding the moon up in the sky is just another reminder that she is the queen of this world.
Disney
5. I guess Lord Afrixana, a musician from Ghana, basically assumes the role of the hyenas, since he greets Simba in the modern equivalent of the elephant graveyard. I fully support this choice, as this man is HOT.
Disney
6. Oh no! Mufasa being run over by motorcycles is still really sad. Waaaah.
Disney
7. I'm such a fan of Bey's inclusivity. Even though this album is chiefly about Black culture and identity, she asked Jessie Reyez, a non-Black woman of Colombian descent, to join the party.
Disney
8. Human-Scar roaring is pretty scary, but it's also really cool.
Disney
9. Well, this is the coolest funeral outfit I've ever seen. Can I borrow this sometime, Bey?
Disney
10. LOL, Simba fell asleep and dreamed he grew up to be a rich Jay-Z? That's a mood, honestly.
Disney
11. Hell yeah! This is a re-creation of the Carters' now-iconic "APESHIT" music video at the Louvre Museum. Except this time, the painting behind them is not the Mona Lisa, but of BEYONCÉ HERSELF...
Disney
12. ...and the painting is actually Beyoncé with her daughter and twins!!! Is it for sale? Because I would 100% put this above my fireplace.
Disney
13. First, we see Jay-Z playing chess, then we jump to a massive chessboard with actual humans, then we see Queen Bey as the chess queen?! I'm just eating up all this symbolism.
Disney
14. Here we have the African-American flag (which combines the US flag with the Pan-African flag colors). This is SO important because it's a direct shoutout to members of the African diaspora in America.
Disney
15. Pharrell singing the song "Water" on a stage made of water jugs is just *chef's kiss.*
Disney
16. Leave it to Bey to combine the beauty of Kelly Rowland, Lupita Nyong'o, and Naomi Campbell in one song.
Disney
17. And in the middle of the song "Brown Skin Girl," Tamil model Sheerah Ravindren makes an appearance in a much-appreciated nod to all the dark-skinned South Asian ladies out there.
Disney
18. Can we just take a moment to appreciate the masterpieces that are Beyoncé's hairstyles?
Disney
19. Aww, we've got Tina Knowles, Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, and Rumi together! And they're matching!! Three generations of beautiful women.
Disney
20. This line really hit home: "There's something about walking in the room with your head high and not disrespecting your crown by bowing your neck." Such a perfect reminder for all the young kings and queens out there!
Disney
21. I'm so glad Beyoncé emphasizes that finding your identity and coming into your own should be done with respect for elders by listening to their wisdom. 100%!
Disney
22. Hell yeah! Bey brings in South African artists like Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly to sing in their native tongues. This is so dope because it shows Black Is King is not only honoring Beyoncé's roots, but also using her platform to uplift modern artists from her motherland.
Disney
23. And she purposefully showcases Black designers from around the world who serve us A+ look after look!
Disney
From left to right: glitter fringe dress by Lace by Tanaya, silk dress/jumper hybrid by 5:31 Jérôme and turban from 5:31 Jérôme and Sarah Sokol Millinery, and earrings by L’Enchanteur.
24. With the return of the king, the circle of life continues! Yasss, Simba!
Disney
25. Awwww, Beyoncé dedicated this whole project to her son, Sir, and "all our sons and daughters" out there. She truly is a queen!!
Disney