How to Watch ‘Black Is King,’ Beyoncé’s Upcoming Visual Album

July 27, 2020

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is back to prove she truly is Queen Bey. This time, she’s releasing another visual album featuring the music of The Lion King: The Gift. Unfortunately, it will only be available for viewing on one streaming platform. Here’s how to watch Beyoncé’s latest project, the visual album titled Black is King.

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I typically keep comments short and sweet, but I just watched the trailer with my family and I’m excited. please don’t get me hype “Black Is King” is a labor of love. It is my passion project that I have been filming, researching and editing day and night for the past year. I’ve given it my all and now it’s yours. 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. I could never have imagined that a year later, all the hard work that went into this production would serve a greater purpose. 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. 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. With this visual album, I wanted to present elements of Black history and African tradition, with a modern twist and a universal message, and what it truly means to find your self-identity and build a legacy. I spent a lot of time exploring and absorbing the lessons of past generations and the rich history of different African customs. While working on this film, there were moments where I’ve felt overwhelmed, like many others on my creative team, but it was important to create a film that instills pride and knowledge. I only hope that from watching, you leave feeling inspired to continue building a legacy that impacts the world in an immeasurable way. I pray that everyone sees the beauty and resilience of our people. This is a story of how the people left MOST BROKEN have EXTRAORDINARY gifts.❤️✊ Thank you to Blitz, Emmanuel, Ibra, Jenn, Pierre, Dikayl, Kwasi and all the brilliant creatives. Thank you to all at Disney for giving this Black woman the opportunity to tell this story. This experience has been an affirmation of a grander purpose. My only goal is that you watch it with your family and that it gives you pride. Love y’all, B

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Jun 28, 2020 at 8:06pm PDT

Beyoncé is premiering another visual album, this one titled ‘Black is King’

She appeared with a video message at the BET Awards and she released a song in honor of Juneteeth. Even though some fans are stuck social distancing, Beyoncé has plenty of content releasing on a weekly basis. That includes her upcoming visual album, a work titled Black is King.

This visual album features the music of Beyoncé’s 2019 release, The Lion King: The Gift. The album, inspired by Disney’s rebooted movie, features music inspired by the culture of Africa and the Black experience in the United States. This upcoming visual album will, presumably, feature some of the same empowering messages.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter attend 'The Lion King' European Premiere — Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter attend ‘The Lion King’ European Premiere | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

‘Black is King’ will exclusively be available for streaming on Disney+

Thanks to Beyoncé’s partnership with Disney and The Lion King, the artist has her sights set on a new project. Earlier this summer, the artist announced she would release her second visual album exclusively on Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+.

“Black Is King is a celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience,” Disney and Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment said in announcing the visual album, according to Variety. “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.”

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#BlackIsKing (photo by: Travis Matthews)

A post shared by Disney+ (@disneyplus) on Jun 28, 2020 at 8:31pm PDT

Previously, Beyoncé debuted ‘Lemonade’ on the television network HBO

This wouldn’t be the first time Beyoncé released a groundbreaking visual album. Back in April 2016, Beyoncé debuted Lemonade on the premium television network HBO, later releasing the album on the streaming platform on Spotify.

There’s no word regarding if, or when, the artist will partner with another television network to premiere Black is King. Thanks to this partnership with Disney, some think if it was a possibility, it would most likely premiere on Disney Channel.

“These timeless lessons are revealed and reflected through Black voices of today, now sitting in their own power,” according to the announcement for the visual album. “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.”

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.