ALBUM REVIEWS
E D I T O R ' S C H O I C E
B e y o n c é : B l a c k I s K i n g R e v i e w
The Lion King challenged Beyoncé ’ s storytelling through music when she created ' The Gift '. Committed to black empowerment whilst connecting to Africa , she accompanied the project with her second visual album , ' Black Is King '. The follow up to 2016 ' s ' Lemonade ', the visual album reimagines ' The Lion King ' with Afro futuristic elements combined with several African styles . In addition , Queen Bey brought on African creatives , actors , musicians and even cinematographers to pay homage to the African diaspora . With Beyoncé as the ethereal narrator , the album opens with Beyoncé by the sea , holding a baby , as she sings ' Bigger '.
The visuals then follow the story of the young male protagonist who is ' Simba ', as he makes his journey . Each song is accompanied with its own creative visual . From the clean white background , to the African dessert , sea , mansions and scenic cities , each song offers the dynamic aspect of what it means to be ' Black '. Queen Bey also makes it a family affair with features from husband Jay Z on ' Mood 4eva ', daughter Blue Ivy and best friend , Kelly Rowland on ' Brown Skin Girl ', as well her mother , Tina Knowles-Lawson . and twin children , Rumi and Sir . Throughout the visuals , images of Beyoncé as the Virgin Mary figure can be seen . This could be interpreted as Africa being the mother giving birth to the world ' s ' salvation '. Looking at the history of the continent and black people , and those of colour in the diaspora , there is the narrative that economies , nations and even mainstream culture is off the backs of Africa and those of African descent . ' Ready ', ' Water ' and ' My Power ' showcase African choreography . ' Don ' t Jealousy Me ', ' Ja Ara E ', and ' Keys to the Kingdom ' put a spotlight on African entertainers . ' Brown Skin Girl ' is yet another signature Beyoncé female empowerment anthem . Not missing out on ballads , Bey pours out on ' Other side ' a lullaby set in a biblical Moses scene of separation . Taking us to church and acknowledging the past generations , ' Spirit ' closes the ' Black Is King ' film . The song showcases Beyoncé ’ s vocal range , in collaboration with a Gospel choir offering that Lion King , ' Circle of Life ' effect . ' Black Parade ’ is the album ' s ' Formation - a hip-hop infused black empowerment anthem .
O v e r a l l R e v i e w
In a politically charged environment where race and identity are the conversation , Beyoncé found something to celebrate blackness . The visual album married the African diaspora need to find roots , and Africa ' s need for recognition in a positive light . The album visuals capture and celebrate the beauty and richness of African cultures with emotion and power .
Rate : 4 / 5 Groove Speakers
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