After much anticipation, fans are delving into Black is King, the new visual album from Beyoncé celebrating a range of African cultures.
Beyoncé superfan Andre Matthew Gordon has had the fortune of seeing his queen perform in concert twice. He says she has “a stage presence that is second to none.”
Beyonce has been a big part Gordon’s life since he was younger, hearing her songs that he says made him feel invincible. As a performer he says he admires how Beyoncé refuses to be contained by any labels.
“She’s given us rock, she’s given us country, and no matter who you are as she’s given us something for you to love.”
On Friday morning Beyoncé gave subscribers of Disney+ something more.
Inspired by her album Lion King: The Gift, the 95-minute Black is King is essentially a series of interconnected music videos following a young Black boy as he discovers his royal heritage.
On Instagram, Beyoncé described the visual album as a way to “celebrate the breath and beauty of Black ancestry.” But, she added, she never imagined it would “serve a greater purpose. “
WATCH | The trailer for Black is King
The greater purpose she’s referring to, is framing the Black experience in a positive light, during the continuing conversation about anti-Black racism.
What Black is King offers is a booster shot of pride. Shot in parts of Africa, the U.S. and Europe, it presents a stylish, inspiring view of African culture and its Diaspora. Some scenes explore history, while others would be equally at home in Wakanda.
Pop culture writer and producer Kathleen Newman-Bremang is a self-avowed follower in the church of Beyoncé. Beyond her pop songs, what strikes her is Beyoncé’s evolution as an artist.
“We seen her really grow into this feminist icon which is unusual for someone who is such a mainstream pop artist. She has led a lot of her work with talking about Black women’s liberation, with talking about Black motherhood [and] injecting feminist lyrics … which is unprecedented,” she says.
WATCH | Kathle