Beyoncé has announced a new album, The Lion King: The Gift for which she will be contributing to, as well as executive producing and curating this album, which will accompany the live-action film.
The Lion King: The Gift, is a “love letter to Africa” and “features a beautiful, multi-genre symphony, steeped in African influences from various corners of the Continent, with unexpected collaborations, pulsating rhythms and crisp production that celebrate the African diaspora.”
Bey said about the album, “This is sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip-hop and Afro Beat. I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. Each song was written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation. It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me.”
The first single, “Spirit,” has been released. .
The Lion King: The Gift is set to be released on July 19th, the same day the film hits theaters.