Beyonce Drops star-studded trailer of new visual album, Black Is King

A new Black Is King trailer has arrived! Beyoncé unveiled a new trailer for her much anticipated visual album, Black Is King. Queen Bey, who blessed us with Homecoming in 2019 and Lemonade in 2016, announced her next visual experience for 2020 on the streaming platform, Disney+.

The film, which has been in production for over a year with Bey as its writer, producer and director, follows a young king’s journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity. While his ancestors guide him along the way.

“Follow your light or lose it”

The trailer is a beautiful experience in itself. The mesmerizing visuals and stunning still frames are accompanied alongside Beyonce’s narration.

“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. Follow your light or lose it.”

Illustrious Guest appearances

The new star-studded trailer also features appearances from Lupita Nyong’o, Jay-Z, Naomi Campbell, Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Knowles-Lawson. Black Is King is reportedly set to feature a line-up of amazing artists.

Ardent Disney fans may recognize quotes from “The Lion King,” and notice that the trailer borrows its imagery. The vibrant cinematography and style also seem to mirror Beyoncé’s Spirit music video from the movie’s soundtrack as well.

According to the press release, the visual album was filmed in New York, Los Angeles, South Africa, West Africa, London and Belgium.

“A tale of a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity”

Black Is King weaves “a tale of a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity,” according to a press release from the streaming service. “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.”

Beyonce’s Labor Of Love

The singer opened up about her project in an Instagram post, back in June. Calling it a “labor of love,” Beyonce who is not known for overly lengthy captions, explained how she had been filming, researching and editing for the past year, showing how important the project was to her.

Bey 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. Tell our REAL history of generational wealth and richness of soul that are not told in our history books.”

“My only goal is that you watch it with your family and that it gives you pride”

Beyonce’s main idea behind the album is to “present elements of Black history and African tradition, with a modern twist and a universal message.” She describes it as embarking on a journey to understand what it truly means to “find your self-identity and build a legacy.” The 24-time Grammy winner continued. “My only goal is that you watch it with your family and that it gives you pride.”

‘A reunion of cultures and shared generational beliefs’

Disney described the film as ‘a celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience.’ “The film is a story for the ages that informs and rebuilds the present. A reunion of cultures and shared generational beliefs. A story of how the people left most broken have an extraordinary gift and a purposeful future.

“These timeless lessons are revealed and reflected through Black voices of today, now sitting in their own power,” the statement continued. “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.”

The film, produced by Parkwood Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures, boasts of an extremely talented crew of Directors. Namely, Emmanuel Adjei, Blitz Bazawule, Pierre Debusschere, Jenn Nkiru, Ibra Ake, Dikayl Rimmasch, Jake Nava and Kwasi Fordjour.

Black Is King is set to stream exclusively on the streaming platform, Disney+ on July 31.

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