Black Is King
A young prince's journey to reclaim his throne acts as an allegory for the African diaspora discovering, reclaiming, and celebrating their culture.
Black Is King is a 2020 American musical film co-written, executive produced, and directed by Beyoncé. It serves as the visual companion to the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift, which was curated specifically for the 2019 film The Lion King. The narrative centers on a young African prince exiled following his father's death who grows into manhood, guided by his ancestor, childhood love, and subconscious to reclaim his throne. This journey acts as an allegory for the African diaspora discovering, reclaiming, and celebrating their culture and heritage. Production spanned over a year across six countries on three continents, aiming to recruit a diverse cast and crew while showcasing the beauty of African cultures. The film premiered globally on Disney+ on July 31, 2020.
Quick Facts
- Writer
- Beyoncé
- Yrsa Daley-Ward
- Clover Hope
- Andrew Morrow
- Based on
- The Lion King: The Gift
- Music
- James William Blades
- MeLo-X
- Derek Dixie
- Editor
- Andrew Morrow
- Maria-Celeste Garrahan
- Haines Hall
- Tom Watson
- Company
- Walt Disney Pictures; Parkwood Entertainment
- Network
- Disney+
- Released
- 31 July 2020
- Runtime
- 85 minutes
Lore & Background
The story unfolds across spiritual planes and earthly realms, beginning with a newborn prince held by his maternal ancestor on a beach. She performs rituals and anoints him with white paint while elders do the same in a royal palace, presenting him with a golden scepter. The king warns that ancestors watch from the stars to guide him. Tempted by a monkey, the young boy enters a warehouse where he gambles and adorns himself in gold under the watch of his ancestor and a blue man representing his subconscious.
A biker gang arrives, leading to the king's death by bike, allowing the uncle to usurp the throne while the prince flees. Later, the prince dreams of an extravagant life in a mansion filled with servants and feasts, only to remember his father teaching him chess as a representation of good versus evil. In the city, he parties in a tricked-out hearse driven by his uncle, who taunts him with the scepter before he wakes. Realizing material wealth is unsustainable, he seeks purpose, finding the scepter in a river after an ancestor places her baby in a basket to save it from a sandstorm. He reunites with his father and assembles an army of women to defeat his uncle, finally reclaiming his throne.
Reader's Guide
Black Is King functions as both a film and a cultural statement, utilizing spoken-word poetry to focus on black identity. It was praised for its direction, cinematography, score, costume design, and subject matter. The project won six Grammy nominations at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Music Film. Specific songs earned awards: "Brown Skin Girl" took home Best Music Video, while "Black Parade" won Best R&B Performance.
These wins marked Beyoncé's 28th Grammy victory, making her the most awarded singer and female artist in Grammy history. The film also secured a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. An extended version of "Black Parade" served as the credits music and was included in a deluxe edition of The Gift released alongside the film. Beyond Disney+, it aired on M-Net and Canal+ Afrique across Sub-Saharan Africa, and on OSN across the Middle East and North Africa the day after its global release.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Black Is King?
Black Is King is a streaming film and visual album released in 2020 on Disney+. It was created to serve as the cinematic companion piece for Beyoncé’s curated soundtrack album, The Lion King: The Gift.
Who directed or produced the film?
Beyoncé served as the writer, executive producer, and director behind this project. Her personal vision drove the production, which took place over a year across multiple international locations.
What is the plot summary?
The narrative follows an exiled African prince who matures and journeys to reclaim his rightful throne after his father’s death. He receives guidance from ancestral figures, a childhood love, and his own subconscious throughout this quest.
What is the deeper meaning of the story?
The plot serves as a metaphorical journey for people of African descent to embrace their heritage. It highlights the importance of honoring ancestry while asserting pride in one’s royal lineage and cultural identity.
Where can fans watch Black Is King?
Viewers can stream the full visual album exclusively on the Disney+ platform. It remains available as a permanent part of their library following its initial release in 2020.
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