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Beyoncé To Drop Visual Album, 'Black Is King,' On Disney+ In July

A new visual album written, directed and executive produced by Beyoncé is on its way.

Black Is King will celebrate Black resilience and culture, and premiere globally on Disney+ on July 31, according to a press release. The album is based on the music of The Lion King: The Gift, the Beyoncé-curated soundtrack album for the Lion King animated remake released last July, in which she voiced the character of Nala.

"The visual album from Beyoncé reimagines the lessons of The Lion King for today's young kings and queens in search of their own crowns," reads the statementfrom Disney and from Beyoncé's company, Parkwood Entertainment.

The film, which was in production for one year, will star the album's featured artists as well as special guest appearances. A minute-long teaser video is available on Beyoncé's website.

The press release says the album honors the voyages of Black families throughout time, and tells the story of a young king's journey through betrayal, love and self-identity. Guided by his ancestors, father and 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," it reads. 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 announcement comes on the heels of Beyoncé's latest surprise, a single called "Black Parade" that she released on Juneteenth. She announced on her website that proceeds from the song will benefit Black-owned small businesses in need through her BeyGOOD initiative.

"Black excellence is a form of protest," the post said. "Black joy is your right."

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Rachel Treisman (she/her) is a writer and editor for the Morning Edition live blog, which she helped launch in early 2021.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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