Beyoncé’s latest visual album, Black Is King, was released mere hours ago, but as expected, the Beyhive is buzzing.
The film, which has a runtime of an hour and a half, premiered on Disney + early Friday morning and was directed and executive produced by Beyoncé. It includes songs from The Lion King: The Gift and was made for "today's young kings and queens in search of their own crowns,” Disney + said in a statement according to CNN.
In the enchanting film, the artist takes viewers on a journey through the motherland and beyond while presenting stunning visuals and bringing artists like Pharrell, Kelly Rowland and Jessie Reyez along for the ride. The film was shot over the course of a year in multiple locations including New York, Los Angeles, South Africa, West Africa, London and Belgium, reports CNN.
While the work was originally intended to be an accompaniment to The Lion King, Beyoncé said it now serves a greater purpose in an Instagram post ahead of its release.
“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,” the entertainer wrote. “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.”
As souls everywhere continue to be nourished by the work, it remained a trending topic on Twitter on Friday.
Just finished. I can’t form my thoughts the way I really want to right now. NOBODY. And I mean NOBODY is fucking with Beyoncé! Tonight she officially transcended past the Moon. Past the stars. Past the solar system. She is the Galaxy of entertainment. Thank you, B!
— JIGGAMAN. (@imtoomuchnigga) July 31, 2020
Fans are gagging over the looks served throughout.
Beyoncé is always serving us with the most beautiful visuals. #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/stSzo9aopb— ️️patrick (@yonceflow) July 31, 2020
Others couldn't help to notice that Bey has been her own competition since starting out in the game.
I don’t ever want to hear that beyoncé is overrated this woman has been doing this for more than 20 years and still manages to outdo herself every fucking time, always better concepts, better ideas, better visuals. BOW DOWN TO THE QUEEN #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/0vEaqJaNC6— sarcasmaa |34| (@saphireswhy) July 31, 2020
Many are applauding the fact that she showcased the beauty Africa has to offer as opposed to the visuals mainstream media outlets often perpetuate.
btw africanism isn't just poverty and poverty striken black kids with flies on their lip. our cultures are colourful and lively. beyoncé and all the african people she worked with on black is king made a beautiful adaptation of us.
— Tayoncé Defense Attorney (@BlueIvysDoormat) July 31, 2020
Y’all said she was only showing Africans in huts. She gave y’all mansions!
Y’all said the film wouldn’t show in Africa. She released the film on a Major African Network for Free!
Y’all said she was only showing Old Africa. She gave y’all Africa through Generations! #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/TK65nVvNaF— Black Lives Matter (@QueenJay2017) July 31, 2020
Yoncè also said representation and gave us dark-skinned Black and Asian women.
I don’t think y’all understand what this Brown Skin Girl visual means. It just wrecked me. The celebration of every shade of brown skin is resetting the social norm. My god. “We were beautiful before they knew what beauty was.” #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/QuBUgeyafz— Peachez Iman Cummings (@PeachezNYC) July 31, 2020
Beyoncé wasn’t just talking about dark skin Black girls. She made sure to give dark skin Asian women the representation they deserve. #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/HYJsM98oM2— Ivan Maina (@IvanIMaina) July 31, 2020
It makes me so happy and proud that Beyoncé included dark-skinned Indians. This is really a big deal
South indians are discriminated against in our own country for being brown.
Representation matters! ????????????????#BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/vUZGLJ5QwS— adriana (@highbydabeach) July 31, 2020
Speaking of "Brown Skin Girl," a certified anthem, we got to witness Bey's sisterhood with Rowland on display. We always love a good Destiny's Child reunion.
BEYONCÉ AND KELLY #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/Hpf7nI1qeT— ƃuıʞ sı ʞɔɐıq ???? (@35CHAlNS) July 31, 2020
The love they have for one another is out of this world….THESE ARE SISTERS!!!! #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/d0TgtRbtjm— UNGODLY KEY THEE SIREN! (@SailorOkoye) July 31, 2020
And who could forget the one, the only, Blue Ivy — who delivered for us yet again.
Your faves could never
Ms Blue served as usual #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/Cpak63KqSK— adriana (@highbydabeach) July 31, 2020
wow Blue Ivy is THRIVING and serving looks AND Managing Beyoncé…She’s a legend, shes an ICON, and She is the Moment #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/AgWNZnRADF— w͓̽a͓̽r͓̽r͓̽e͓̽n͓̽ BLM (@softpretzelstan) July 31, 2020
blue ivy winning the best supporting actress oscar me thinks #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/9VPWQubz2w— aiden (@aidensghostin) July 31, 2020
We all know Mrs. Knowles-Carter's fashion taste is bar none, but the Black Is King looks were next level. According to Vogue, she wore a number of high-fashion brand names from Balmain and Mugler to Burberry and Timothy White.
Beyoncé wearing custom Mary Katrantzou Fall 2019. #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/Jm1vuOKN0N— Valentino (@DIORSBITCH) July 31, 2020
Beyoncé wearing Mugler Summer 2020. #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/eA7Hhl9Pua— Valentino (@DIORSBITCH) July 31, 2020
All in all, she did the damn thing and came to save 2020.
look at the material. #BlackIsKing
pic.twitter.com/s03In9avmi— ????micks. (@byemicks) July 31, 2020
We will be streaming Black Is King on repeat until further notice.