Black Is King

Black Is King
Directed by	Beyoncé Knowles-Carter Kwasi Fordjour Emmanuel Adjei Blitz Bazawule Ibra Ake Jenn Nkiru Jake Nava Pierre Debusschere Dikayl Rimmasch
Produced by	Jeremy Sullivan Jimi Adesanya Blitz Bazawule Ben Cooper Astrid Edwards Durwin Julies Yoli Mes Dafe Oboro Akin Omotoso Will Whitney Lauren Baker Jason Baum Alex Chamberlain Robert Day Christophe Faubert Brien Justiniano Rethabile Molatela Mothobi Sylvia Zakhary Nathan Scherrer Erinn Williams
Written by	Beyoncé Knowles-Carter Yrsa Daley-Ward Clover Hope Andrew Morrow
Starring	Beyoncé Folajomi Akinmurele Connie Chiume Nyaniso Ntsikelelo Dzedze Nandi Madida Warren Masemola Sibusiso Mbeje Fumi Odeje Stephen Ojo Mary Twala
Music by	James William Blades MeLo-X Derek Dixie
Cinematography by	Ryan Marie Helfant Santiago Gonzalez Mohammaed Atta Ahmed David Boanuh Michael Fernandez Erik Henriksson Danny Hiele Laura Merians Nicolai Niermann Kenechukwu Obiajulu Malik Sayeed Benoit Soler
Editor(s)	Andrew Morrow Maria-Celeste Garrahan Haines Hall Tom Watson
Studio(s)	Walt Disney Pictures Parkwood Entertainment
Distributor	Disney+
Released	July 31, 2020
Running time	85 minutes
Language	English

Black Is King is a 2020 American musical film and visual album directed, written, and executive produced by American singer Beyoncé. The film serves as a visual companion to the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift, curated by Beyoncé for The Lion King (2019).

Plot

The film tells the story of a young African prince (Folajomi Akinmurele) who is exiled from his kingdom after the death of his father. As he grows up into a man (Nyaniso Dzedze), the prince undergoes a journey of self-identity, using the guidance of his ancestor (Beyoncé), childhood love (Nandi Madida) and his own subconscious (Stephen Ojo) to reclaim his throne. The prince's journey acts as an allegory for the African diaspora's journey of discovering, reclaiming and celebrating their culture and heritage, which is echoed by the inclusion of spoken-word poetry in the film that focuses on the question of black identity.

Production

Black Is King was in production for over a year and was filmed across three continents. Beyoncé wanted to recruit a diverse cast and crew and to provide opportunities for new talent. The film's music, dances, costumes, hairstyles, and sets were designed to showcase the beauty and richness of the cultures in the African continent and diaspora. The film was released globally on Disney+ on July 31, 2020, and was aired the following day across Sub-Saharan Africa on M-Net and Canal+ Afrique and across the Middle East and North Africa on OSN. A deluxe edition of The Gift was released alongside the film, which includes the song "Black Parade".

Reception

The film received universal acclaim from critics, with praise for Beyoncé's direction, the cinematography, score, costume design, subject matter, and cultural themes. At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, Black Is King was nominated for Best Music Film, while the "Brown Skin Girl" won the award for Best Music Video.

Trivia

• This is the third Walt Disney Pictures feature film not to be given a rating from the MPA after Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins and Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse.

External links

• Black Is King on Wikipedia
• Black is King on Disney+

v - e - d

Movies 2019: Lady and the Tramp • Noelle • Togo 2020: Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made • Stargirl • Artemis Fowl • Hamilton • Magic Camp • The One and Only Ivan • Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe • Secret Society of Second-Born Royals • Clouds • Black Beauty • Godmothered • Safety • Soul 2021: Flora & Ulysses • Raya and the Last Dragon • Luca • Home Sweet Home Alone • Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2022: The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild • Turning Red • Cheaper by the Dozen • Better Nate Than Ever • Sneakerella • Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers • Hollywood Stargirl • Rise • Zombies 3 • Pinocchio • Hocus Pocus 2 • Disenchanted • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules • Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again 2023: Chang Can Dunk • Prom Pact • Peter Pan & Wendy • Crater • World's Best • Dashing Through the Snow • Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever 2024: Descendants: The Rise of Red Documentaries One Day at Disney (2019-present) • Dolphin Reef (2020) • Elephant (2020) • A Celebration of the Music from Coco (2020) • Howard (2020) • Inside Pixar (2020) • Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions (2020) • Director by Night (2022) • Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage? (2022) • Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (2022) • Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl (2022) • Stan Lee (2023) • The Beatles: Let It Be (2024) • Jim Henson Idea Man (2024) • Tiger (2024) Shorts Lamp Life (2020) • Once Upon a Snowman (2020) • 22 vs. Earth (2021) • Ciao Alberto (2021) • Remembering (2022) • Zen - Grogu and Dust Bunnies (2022) • Le Pupille (2022) • The Shepherd (2023) Premier Access Mulan (2020) • Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) • Cruella (2021) • Black Widow (2021) • Jungle Cruise (2021) Scripted series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019-2023) • Diary of a Future President (2020-2021) • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2021-2022) • Big Shot (2021-2022) • The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021-2022) • Turner & Hooch (2021) • Monsters at Work (2021-present) • Chip 'n' Dale: Park Life (2021-present) • Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. (2021-2023) • Just Beyond (2021) • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022-present) • Willow (2022-2023) • National Treasure: Edge of History (2022-2023) • The Muppets Mayhem (2023) • American Born Chinese (2023) • FreeKs (2023-present) • L-Pop (2023) • Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023-present) • Iwájú (2024) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2019-present) • Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021-2024) • The Book of Boba Fett (2022-2023) • Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) • Andor (2022-present) • Star Wars: Tales (2022-2024) • Ahsoka (2023-present) • The Acolyte (2024) Marvel: WandaVision (2021) • The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021) • Loki (2021-2023) • What If...? (2021-present) • Hawkeye (2021) • Moon Knight (2022) • Ms. Marvel (2022) • She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) • Secret Invasion (2023) • Echo (2024) • X-Men '97 (2024-present) Docuseries Marvel's Hero Project (2019-2020) • The Imagineering Story (2019) • The World According to Jeff Goldblum (2019-2023) • Pick of the Litter (2019-2020) • Prop Culture (2020) • Muppets Now (2020) • Earth to Ned (2020-2021) • The Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom (2020-present) • 616 (2020) • Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II (2020) • Marvel Studios: Legends (2021-present) • Marvel Studios: Assembled (2021-present) • Behind the Attraction (2021-2023) • The Beatles: Get Back (2021) • MPower (2023) • Secrets of the Elephants (2023-present) • Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All (2023) • Choir (2024) Reality and competition shows Encore! (2019-2020) • Be Our Chef (2020-present) • The Big Fib (2020) • The Quest (2022) Shorts series Forky Asks a Question (2019-2020) • Pixar: In Real Life (2019-present) • SparkShorts (2019-present) • One Day at Disney (2019-present) • Short Circuit (2020-2022) • Zenimation (2020-present) • The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse (2020-2023) • Pixar Popcorn (2021-present) • Launchpad (2021-present) • How to Stay at Home (2021) • Dug Days (2021) • Star Wars: Visions (2021-present) • Baymax! (2022) • Ice Age: Scrat Tales (2022) • I Am Groot (2022-2023) • Cars on the Road (2022) • Zootopia+ (2022) • Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (2023) • LEGO Pixar: Bricktoons (2024) Other Arendelle Castle Yule Log (2019) • Black Is King (2020) • The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020) • High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special (2020) • Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021) • Werewolf by Night (2022) • The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) • LEGO Marvel Avengers: Code Red (2023) Cancelled projects Muppets Live Another Day • Book of Enchantment • Witch Mountain Upcoming Films: Aladdin: Live from the West End (TBA) • Three Men and a Baby (TBA) • The Return of the Rocketeer (TBA) • Sister Act 3: Kicking the Habit (TBA) • Flight of the Navigator (TBA) • Once on This Island (TBA) • Song for a Whale (TBA) • Superfudge (TBA) • Robin Hood (TBA) • The Sword in the Stone (TBA) • Inspector Gadget (TBA) • Phantom (TBA) Shows: Agatha All Along (2024) • Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2024) • Eyes of Wakanda (2024) • Win or Lose (2024) • Tiana (2024) • Skeleton Crew (2024) • Daredevil: Born Again (2025) • Ironheart (2025) • Vision Quest (2026) • The Witchverse (TBA) • Darkwing Duck (TBA) • Wonder Man (TBA) • Twisted Wonderland (TBA) • King Kong (TBA) • Marvel Zombies (TBA) • A Crown of Wishes (TBA) • Gargoyles (TBA) • The Doomies (TBA) • TaleSpin (TBA) • Nova (TBA)

v - e - d

Media Films: The Lion King (video) • The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (video) • The Lion King 1½ (video) • The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar • The Lion King (2019) (video) • Mufasa: The Lion King Television: Find Out Why • Timon & Pumbaa (videography) • Timon and Pumbaa's Wild About Safety • The Lion Guard (videography) • It's UnBungalievable! Soundtracks: The Lion King • Rhythm of the Pride Lands • The Legacy Collection • The Lion King Collection • Return to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride • Best of the Lion King • The Lion King 1½: Songs from Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure • Original Broadway Cast Recording • Festival of the Lion King • The Legend of the Lion King • The Lion Guard • The Lion King (2019 film) • The Lion King & Jungle Festival: Rhythms of the Pride Lands Video games: The Lion King • Timon and Pumbaa's Jungle Games • The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure • Kingdom Hearts II • Animated Storybook: The Lion King • Disney Universe • Disney Infinity: 2.0 Edition • Adventures in Typing with Timon and Pumbaa • Activity Center • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride: Active Play • The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride GameBreak • The Lion King 1½ • Disney Crossy Road • Disney Emoji Blitz • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode • Kingdom Hearts III • Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King • Disney Classic Games Collection • The Lion King: Operation Pridelands Books: Marvel Comics • The Art and Making of The Lion King • The Lion Guard: Can't Wait to be Queen • The Lion King: The Novelization • The Lion King: The Full Film Script Cancelled projects: King of the Jungle • The Lion Guard: Hear Me Roar! • The Lion King Family Tree Disney Parks Rafiki's Planet Watch • Disney's Art of Animation Resort • Disney's Explorers Lodge • The Annex • Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable • Disney Animation Building • It's a Small World • Mickey's PhilharMagic • Rhythm of the Jungle • Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom • The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) • The Lion Guard Adventure • The Lion King: Pride Land (The Lion King attraction) Entertainment: Animagique • Disney's Believe • Disney's Wishes • Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic • Disney KiteTails • Fantasmic! • Feel the Magic • Festival of Family & Friends • Festival of the Lion King • Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party • It's Party Time... with Mickey and Friends • Mickey and the Magician • Mickey and the Wondrous Book • Mickey's Gift of Dreams • Mickey's Magical Music World • Once Upon a Mouse • Rivers of Light: We Are One • The Adventure of Rhythm • The Golden Mickeys • The Legend of the Lion King • Villains Tonight! Restaurants: Restaurant Hakuna Matata Parades: A Million Splashes of Colour • Disney's Magical Moments Parade • Disney's Party Express • Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade • Disney Cinema Parade • Disney Magic on Parade • Disney Stars on Parade • Flights of Fantasy Parade • Jubilation! • Mickey & Friends Street Celebration • Mickey's Soundsational Parade • Mickey's Storybook Express • The Lion King Celebration • The Wonderful World of Disney Parade • Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams Fireworks: Celebrate the Magic • Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland • Disney Dreams! • Disneyland Forever • Happily Ever After • Harmonious • Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light • Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration • The Magic, the Memories and You • Momentous • Once Upon a Time • Tree of Life Awakens • Wonderful World of Animation • World of Color • Wondrous Journeys Summer: Stitch and Friends Summer Surprise Halloween: Happy Hallowishes • Villains Grove Characters The Lion King: Simba • Nala • Mufasa • Scar • Rafiki • Timon • Pumbaa • Zazu • Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed • Sarabi • Sarafina • The Pridelanders • Pride Land Animals • Hyena Clan • Wildebeests • Gopher • Vultures • Grubs The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: Kiara • Kovu • Zira • Vitani • Nuka • Outsiders • Crocodiles The Lion King 1½: Ma • Uncle Max • Meerkat Colony Timon & Pumbaa: The Native Chief • The Three Natives • Mother Gorilla • Fronk Fegnugen • Monti • Baampu • Nobi • Fred • Quint • The Woodpecker • Bruce • Stinky • Ralph and Eddie • Teds • Savage Lion • Bartholomew • The Tarsier • Toucan Dan • Vulture Police • Ned • Nefu • Rabbit • Uncle Boaris • Uncle Ernie • Boss Beaver • Boy Beaver • Lester the Whale • The Tigress • Jackal • The Cobra • Speedy the Snail • Smolder the Bear • Little Jimmy • Irwin • El Toro • Count Down • Mr. Pig • Wolverine • Jumbo Jumbo the Elephant • Cheetato and Cheetata • Martin Partin • Rita Book • Chef Claude • Captain Bloodbeard • Cisco Pig • Cisco Pig's Gang • Dr. Cagliostro • Torgo • The Meerkat Angel • Wonderful Rhino of Laws • Pumbaa Jr. • Dr. Happy • Leslie Lambeau • Mr. Buttons • Sharla • Warthog Sounder • Herman • Lara • Mel • Claudius • Bahuka • Tutan Pharaoh • Genie • Madame Credenza • Duke Meerkat • Tatiana • Mother Eagle • Baby Earl • King Leopold • Princess Claudia • Sigmund and Lloyd • Heimlich and Schnitzel • Mad Dog McGraw, Billy the Goat, and Three-fingered Jackelope • Dr. Exeter • Sal Mander • Jungle Inspector • Bigfoot • Pimon and Tumbaa The Lion Guard: Kion • Bunga • Fuli • Beshte • Ono • Tiifu • Zuri • Janja • Cheezi • Chungu • Janja's Clan • Mzingo • Mzingo's Parliament • Mwoga • Makuu • Makuu's Float • Pua • Basi • Basi's Pod • Ushari • Jasiri • Madoa • Tunu and Wema • Jasiri's Clan • Thurston • Mbeya • Porcupine Brothers • Ma Tembo • Zito • Aminifu • Reirei • Goigoi • Dogo • Dogo's Brothers • Kijana • Reirei's Pack • Twiga • Juhudi • Shingo • Muhanga and Muhangus • Tamaa • Nala's Father • Swala • Muhimu • Hamu • Ajabu • Makucha • Makucha's Leap • Makucha's Army • Fahari • Jiona • Mjomba • Ogpoa • Haya • Laini • Badili • Mbuni • Mapigano • Mtoto • Gumba • Kambuni • Kwato • Shauku • Nne • Tano • Vuruga Vuruga • Young Rhino • Lioness • Majinuni and Hafifu • King Sokwe • Hadithi • Big Baboon • Bupu • Boboka • Chura • Kifaru • Mwenzi • Uroho • Mwizi • Kulinda • Ona • Mpishi • Makini • Shupavu • Waza • Njano • Kiburi • Tamka • Nduli • Kiburi's Float • Chama • Kenge • Dhahabu • Hodari • Starehe • Raha • Nyuni • Sumu • Kongwe • Kinyonga • Kuchimba • Shujaa • Anga • Strange Lion • Strange Cobra • The Fastest • The Strongest • The Bravest • The Keenest of Sight • Yuki • Hitashi • Kimyo and Nabasu • Domog • Dughi • Bogino • Chuluun • Pãgala • Krud'dha • Lumba-Lumba • Old Civet • Ora • Komodo Dragon • Fikiri • Kitendo • Tupp • Azaad • Flamingo Girls • Flamingo Girls' Flamboyance • Tenuk • Tompok • Seisou • Bambun • Mouse Deer • Mama Binturong • Smun • Yun Mibu • Nirmala • Rani • Baliyo • Surak • Janna • Ullu • Sãhasí • Ãnanda • Binga • Tangaagim • Pinguino • Cek and Rama • Tsah and Sasem • Astuto • Varya • Feliks, Pasha, and Polina • Heng Heng • Kely • Kely's Troop • Askari • Shabaha • Kasi • Imara • Tazama Printed Media: Uru • Ahadi • Kopa • Boma • Zuzu • Joka • Lulu Deleted: Diku • Baasho • Iggy • Herr Rhino • Kwashi • Bhati • Mheetu • Banagi • Daabi • Dwala • Naanda Remake: Dembe Mufasa: The Lion King: Kiros • Eshe • Obasi • Masego • Afia Miscellaneous: Zawadi • Kiume • Kibibi • Nakawa Episodes Timon & Pumbaa • The Lion Guard Locations The Lion King Trilogy: Africa • Mount Kilimanjaro • Pride Rock • The Pride Lands • The Water Hole • The Elephant Graveyard • The Gorge • Jungle • Rafiki's Ancient Tree • The Outlands Timon & Pumbaa: Zazu's Tree • Madame Credenza's Place • Savage Rock • Boss Beaver's Log Land • The Tree of Truth • Dismal Swamp The Lion Guard: Lair of the Lion Guard • Janja's Den • Tree of Life Songs The Lion King: Circle of Life • The Morning Report • I Just Can't Wait to Be King • Be Prepared • Hakuna Matata • Can You Feel the Love Tonight • Hawaiian War Chant Instrumental Scores: This Land • Hyenas • ...To Die For • Under the Stars • King of Pride Rock • Didn't Your Mother Tell You Not to Play with Your Food • We are All Connected • Hyenas in the Pride Lands • Elephant Graveyard • I Was Just Trying to Be Brave • Stampede • Mufasa Dies • If You Ever Come Back We'll Kill You • Bowling for Buzzards • We Gotta Bone to Pick With You • Kings of the Past • Nala, Is It Really You? • Remember Who You Are • This Is My Home • The Rightful King Rhythm of the Pride Lands: The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Kube • Lea Halalela • It's Time • Lala • Busa • Noyana The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: He Lives in You • We Are One • My Lullaby • Upendi • One of Us • Love Will Find a Way The Lion King 1½: Digga Tunnah • That's All I Need • Sunrise, Sunset • Grazing in the Grass Musical: Lioness Hunt • Rafiki Mourns • One by One • Grasslands Chant • Chow Down • The Madness of King Scar • Shadowland • Endless Night • Simba Confronts Scar Timon & Pumbaa: The Lion Sleeps Tonight • Alone Together • Stand by Me • Yummy Yummy Yummy The Lion Guard: Call of the Guard • A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri) • Zuka Zama • Tonight We Strike • Kion's Lament • It is Time • Here Comes the Lion Guard • We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa) • Don't Make a Stink • Bunga the Wise • Duties of the King • Outta the Way • Jackal Style • Our Kupatana Community • My Own Way • Utamu • All Hail The Vultures • Hero Inside • Bird of a Thousand Voices • Panic and Run • Trail to Hope • Life in the Pride Lands • We'll Make You a Meal • Find Your Roar • Chungu's Lament • Baboons • Beware of the Zimwi • Lions Over All • Stand Up, Stand Out • Kuishi Ni Kucheka • Running with the King • Hadithi the Hero • Makin' Hippo Lanes • Tickbirds and Rhinos • Teke Ruka Teleza • Everyone is Welcome • The Traveling Baboon Show • A Real Meal • Fujo • The Path of Honor • Bring Back a Legend • Today is my Day • I Have A Plan • Gotta Look on the Bright Side • The Worst Hyena We Know • May There Be Peace • Big Bad Kenge • Christmas in the Pride Lands • The Twelve Ways of Christmas • I Do Have a Great Deal to Say • Fabulous Dhahabu • Give a Little Guy a Chance • We're the Smartest • Good King Simba • The Faster I Go • I'm Gonna Run This Dump • Now You See Me, Now You Don't • Wisdom on the Walls • He's The Zebra Mastermind • Kwetu Ni Kwetu • Nothin' to Fear Down Here • Shujaa Ponda • Pride Landers Unite! • Prance With Me • Tujiinue • Height and Sight • We Will Defend • A New Way to Go • On the Last Night • When I Led the Guard • The Tree of Life • Home of a Snow Monkey's Dreams • Ghost of the Mountain • Anything • That's the Dolphin Way • As You Move Forward • Flamingo Dance Party • You Best Not Mess With Mama • Friends to the End • Kion's Reckoning • Welcome to the Tree of Life • Who is Better Than Who • Poa the Destroyer • Long Live the Queen • Remember What Makes You You • The Power of the Roar • Of the Same Pride • As You Move On Remake: Life's Not Fair • Rafiki's Fireflies • Scar Takes the Throne • Simba is Alive! • Reflections of Mufasa • Spirit • Battle for Pride Rock • Remember • Never Too Late • Mbube Mufasa: The Lion King Ngomso • I Always Wanted a Brother • Milele Deleted: To Be King • Warthog Rhapsody • The Lion of the Moon • Old Fearless Buzz • The Madness of King Scar • Where Do I Belong Miscellaneous: Safety Smart See Also Rafiki's Bakora Staff • Great Lions of the Past • Musical • Lion Guard • Roar of the Elders • Night Pride • Mark of the Guard • Mark of the Night Pride • Moja Kwa Moja Stone • Tuliza •The Disney Afternoon • Find Out Why • House of Mouse • One by One • Timon & Pumbaa's Vacation Safari • As Told by Emoji

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia page Black Is King. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.