The singer released "Black Parade" Friday night (June 19), which she said will support Black-owned businesses.
"Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power," she wrote in her Instagram post.
"'Black Parade' celebrates you, your voice and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses," she added.
A message on her website read "Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right," and included a directory Black-owned businesses to support.
Beyonce, her husband Jay-Z, Akil "Fresh" King, Brittany Coney, Densia Andrews, Kim "Kadence" Krysiuk, Rickie "Caso" Tice, and Derek Dixie are the co-writers on"Black Parade," which was produced by Beyonce and Dixie.
Beyoncé has announced a new visual album called Black Is King. The project is written, directed, and executive produced by Beyoncé. It’s set to premiere on Disney+ on July 31. Watch the teaser trailer at Beyoncé’s website.
The singer-songwriter previously worked with the entertainment conglomerate on the “live-action” CGI remake of The Lion King, for which she recorded new music and curated the companion album The Lion King: The Gift. According to a press release, Black Is King “reimagines the lessons of The Lion King for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns.” The film is based on the music of The Gift, features some of the album’s collaborators, and promises other special guest appearances. It’s referred to as “a celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience.” It continues:
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.
Last year, Beyoncé released Beyoncé Presents: Making the Gift—a documentary detailing the recording process of the LP. She recently teamed up with Disney on ABC’s The Disney Family Singalong, during which she sang part of “When You Wish Upon a Star” as a tribute to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyoncé recently released her latest single “BLACK PARADE,” which arrived on Juneteenth (June 19)— a day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
A new Black Is King trailer has arrived! The teaser dropped on Sunday (July 19) and features Beyonce herself narrating it for her upcoming visual album.
"You were formed by the heat of the galaxy. What a thing to be, both unique and familiar, to be one and the same -- and still unlike any other," she says as a young boy floats in space before a bright flash reveals the superstar carrying a baby boy.
"Life is a set of choices: Lead, or be led astray," she continues as what appear to be temptations and dangers appear. "Follow your light -- or lose it."
The new trailer also features appearances from Jay-Z, Kelly Rowland, Lupita Nyong'o, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Pharrell Williams, and others.
The singer opened up about her project in a June 28 Instagram post. Calling it a "labor of love," she shared that she had been filming, researching and editing for the past year. Beyonce explained: "It was originally filmed as a companion piece to 'The Lion King: The Gift' soundtrack and meant to celebrate the breadth and beauty of Black ancestry.
"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," she wrote at the time. "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."
Queen Bey is about to be the queen of Disney’s streaming platform. Recently, Beyoncé appeared in the photo-real adaptation of The Lion King, creating an album inspired by the film. This album, The Lion King: The Gift, then inspired a visual album, which is titled Black is King.
Because of its ties to The Lion King, it will premiere on Disney+. This visual album will be available exclusively with a subscription to Disney+, a service that houses content created by Marvel, Pixar, and National Geographic.
There’s also music-related movies, like Taylor Swift’s live concert, titled City of Lover. This is the first of Beyoncé’s visual albums to be added to the library, though, joining Disney+ on July 31.
Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+, typically holds movies that are appropriate for young children, but it’s not without exceptions. There’s some shows that are considered to hold “adult content,” including The Simpsons, and movies that are rated PG-13, including Avengers: Infinity War.
The music of The Lion King: The Gift does not contain any explicit lyrics or warnings, according to Spotify. In fact, one of the songs was used in Disney’s photo real adaptation of The Lion King: The Gift, “Spirit.” Unless one of the characters curses in between the songs, there will, presumably, be little to no explicit language in Black is King.
Because of the streaming platform it will be housed on, Disney+, and the music featured in the production, it’s safe to assume that Black is King will be appropriate to watch with children. Presumably, more information on this visual album will be announced in the coming days, though.
Black is King debuts on Disney’s streaming platform on July 31, just a few weeks following the premiere of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Until then, fans can watch the 2019 adaptation of The Lion King on Disney+. To learn more about Disney+ and to subscribe, visit their website.
Beyoncé’s visual album has finally arrived on Disney+, featuring a reimagined telling of “The Lion King” and several guest stars including her daughter Blue Ivy.
Beyonce offered rare glimpses of her three-year-old twins Sir and Rumi in her family-filled new visual album Black Is King.
The 38-year-old pop diva set the internet ablaze this Friday when her new film dropped on the streaming platform Disney+.
She cradles Rumi in her arms during a three-generational family photo and includes a picture of Sir at the end of the movie, which is dedicated to
Blue Ivy makes several appearances in the visual and also gives vocal performances in the music, including on Brown Skin Girl and My Power.
Black Is King ends with a picture of Rumi's twin brother which appears along with text saying the project is 'dedicated to my son, Sir Carter.'
Beyonce adds underneath the dedication: 'And to all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon bow for you. You are the keys to the kingdom.'
