Make some room Hamilton. Black Is King has arrived to Disney+
On Sunday Beyoncé announced the trailers to her next visual album Black Is King. The film inspired by the Lion King Soundtrack was "a labor of love" for the singer and was her passion project for the past year. Black Is King will celebrate Black history and African American tradition and have an underlying modern and relevant message for views. It comes at a time when the nation has completely been ripped apart at the seams.
For the past 2 months millions of protestors all over the world are making their voices by demanding systematic change to an inherently racist system that still affects the black community to this day. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Elijah McClain, and countless others have brought people to their knees all over the world. In the Sunday post, Beyoncé goes on to address the climate of 2020 and states:
"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."
It is amazing to see a historically compromised company like Disney take a progressive step and finally let a brilliant creative like Beyoncé to take creative control and tell a story that instills history and love. The idea of moving further away from gender focused princess movies makes me hopeful for the future of Disney. The thought of millions of children watching this film and being impacted by its message is truly heartwarming. It also will help ensure that future generations grow up understanding a perspective of history told by a compassionate and strong black womxn.
We are excited to take in this cultural phenomenon and can't wait to report back with more details.