Global music superstar, Beyoncé has released yet another trailer for her new visual album, Black is King and it features some of Ghana’s top creatives.
The trailer which teases cameo appearances from her husband, JAY-Z, Kelly Rowland, Naomi Campbell, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Yemi Alade, Adut Akech and many more is scheduled to premiere on Disney Plus on July, 31st, 2020.
Originally inspired by the one-year-old Disney’s live-action film, The Lion King: The Gift, Black is King focuses on “the beauty of tradition and black excellence”.
The visual album, which she wrote, directed and executive-produced taps other African creatives including Ghanaian artiste/ Cinematographer, Blitz The Ambassador and country mate, Dutch Ghanaian director, Emmanuel Adjei as part of the directorial team.
Ghanaian creatives
Blitz The Ambassador whose 2018 film, The Burial of Kojo, was the first-ever film from Ghana to be considered for a Golden Globe nomination was highlighted as a key figure in bringing the vision to life.
Shot across the globe including scenes from South Africa, West Africa, Belgium, Los Angeles, London and New York, the album “reimagines the lessons of The Lion King for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns”.
Dutch-Ghanian film-maker Emmanuel Adjei and the Belgian visual artist Pierre Debusschere are also mentioned as part of the creative team who took part in the album which plot is still a secret.
Another Ghanaian, Kwasi Fordjour, a creative director at Parkwood entertainment, the pop star’s management and entertainment company also makes into the credit of cast and crew.
In the trailer video, one can also hear Beyonce’s soundtrack with Reggae/Dancehall Shatta Wale in the scene where she carries the baby.
Controversies
Having inspired the visual album, initial response suggested that it would not be available to an African audience, a move which saw massive backlash and criticism from people on social media.
Okay Africa reports that the situation has since been rectified with a distribution deal that will allow access to countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, Cameroon, Burundi, Senegal, Togo, Congo, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Cape Verde and many more when its released on July 31st.
Black is King according to its press release highlights “the voyages of black families … [and] a tale about a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity,”