That Grape Juice’s Top 5 Songs From Beyonce’s ‘Lion King: The Gift’

Published: Friday 19th Jul 2019 by Sam

Beyonce is trending the world over after unleashing her new project ‘The Lion: The Gift.’

A companion compilation for ‘The Lion King’ movie which Queen Bey stars in as Nala, the project is touted as a “love letter to Africa” and thematically mirrors the narrative of the film.

Ahead of its release, the superstar singer promised it’d sound like sonic cinema and enlisted an eclectic mix of African and US talent to bring her vision to fruition.

Fatured are the likes of Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Shatta Wale, Tekno, and Yemi Alade.

Joining them are American stars such as Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, and Childish Gambino – who stars alongside Bey in the film as Simba. Rising stars Tierra Whack and Jessie Reyez also appear.

Having played the album earnest, join us below as we share That Grape Juice’s Top 5 Songs

My Power (Beyonce w/ Yemi Alade, Tierra Whack, Moonchild Sanelly, & Busiwa)

The uptemo we’ve been waiting on from Mrs Carter. It’s hard-hitting, a dance anthem, and manages to pack empowering lyrics too. A whole bop.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7ia5l12mCvbQTeAnG1oYpg

Brown Skin Girl (Beyonce w/ Wizkid, Blue Ivy, & Saint JHN)

Anthemic, melodic, and oh so timely. If ‘Pretty Hurts’ had a more seasoned, more flavorsome, and more nuanced sister, this would be she. An absolute gem of a jam, one we’re hopeful gets the single-wide treatment.

Already (Beyonce w/ Major Lazer & Shatta Wale)

Few could have a predicted a Beyonce x Shatta Wale collab, even on a project of this variety. And yet their chemistry is undeniable. Both ride the Major Lazer beat with ease. A magnetic listen and a plausible summer smash.

Mood 4 Eva (Beyonce w/ Jay-Z & Childish Gambino)

With such an eye-grabbing title and notable guest stars, this almost had to deliver and it more than does. Sonically, it’s perhaps the most familiar/commercially viable for those slow to embrace the project’s deep Afro lean. While some still feel a way about ‘Everything Is Love,’ we actually feel Jay-Z stole the show here. His verse entertains, educates, and elevates.

Don’t Jealous Me (Yemi Alade, Tekno, Mr Eazi)

Like most, we’ve been thirsty in earnest for new Beyonce since ‘Lemonade.’ Hence are lapping up the vast majority of the tracks she anchors here. That said, as a multi-act body of work, this project truly excels with several of the songs she doesn’t feature on being on par with those she does. Nigerian supernovas Yemi Alade, Tekno, and Mr Eazi make for a formidable trio on this high-octane jam. The drums and drip drill the hypnotic melody into the mind and render this an instant bop.

***********

What do you think of our picks? Most importantly…

What are your top songs from ‘The Gift’?

Posted under:

Comments 39

Please Post Your Comments & Reviews

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Meme July 19, 2019

    Can’t believe BIGGER didn’t make your list. That my fav, followed by ALREADY.

    I really really like thi

    • Meme July 19, 2019

      …really really like this album. It’s fitting for the sound track but it also stands alone as an album. I hope it gets singles and visuals.

      Also I like her tone and vocal arrangements throughout the album. She’s not over singing…and it’s fitting with Afro beats.

      • The Disrespectful Poet July 19, 2019

        Bey said she shot a video for Bigger so more’s coming.

    • DIABETES UNBOTHERED July 19, 2019

      Lol no surprise a rohanna fan likes it. This is a very Rihanna quality Album… Bad thing for a official bey album tho but AMAZING thing as a top notch soundtrack album.

      The Lion king deserves no less.

  2. Tyty July 19, 2019

    I like how she didn’t just flirt with some afro-beats and pretend she was for the culture like some artists do. This was very organic and natural her song with wiz kid should definitely be a single. The major lazer song is a bop too. The whole album is better than I thought i’m enjoying it.

  3. Clarkson July 19, 2019

    All the songs are unoriginal and inauthentic.
    I don’t believe beyonce when she sings this songs.
    This is the same problem I had with songs on lemonade. Hold up, don’t hurt your self, daddy lessons, sand castle all sounded inauthentic and unbelievable when beyonce sang them.

    There is something fake and forced about songs on this album. She is trying to damn hard.

    this album will not win her album of the year at the Grammys neither will it sell like lady gaga’s a star is born or Kendrick Lamar’s black panther album.

    • Tyty July 19, 2019

      Your loose booty is Mad and i’m loving it!!! You mad cause the album is a whole bop. You will be streaming it all day anyway STAN!!

      • Fancy BISH July 19, 2019

        lol ?

    • SNF July 19, 2019

      Stay mad ?

    • Danny Bey July 19, 2019

      All of that just proves your issue with Beyoncé and her artistry is in YOU. The problem is YOU and not her. Fix it Jesus

      • Fancy BISH July 19, 2019

        I am living for these comments today lol ?

  4. Banks no tyra July 19, 2019

    Jennifer Hudson has the voice for this type of album

    • The Disrespectful Poet July 19, 2019

      Does she though?

    • latham July 19, 2019

      We wouldn’t know because we really haven’t heard her voice since dream girls

    • Danny Bey July 19, 2019

      Stop trying to make Jennifer happen in a conversation about Beyoncé. That sh.it is so 2007. She’s released several albums since dreamgirls and none of you bought any of em. Shut up already

      • Rio July 19, 2019

        Love it …….. ? Jennifer hasbeen sorry Hudson lol

  5. Clarkson July 19, 2019

    Beyonce doing afrobeats is not believable

    Beyonce doing hard rock music is not believable

    Beyonce doing country music is not believable

    Beyonce doing jamaican raggea and dance hall is not believable

    Beyonce doing Latin raggeaton music is not believable

    Beyonce doing trap music is not believable

    • Jason July 19, 2019

      You really have no life. As Bey said, “Stay in your struggle”!

      • Cole July 19, 2019

        But did he lie?

      • Danny Bey July 19, 2019

        Yes he did f.ucking lie.

  6. #TheTruth July 19, 2019

    Hmmm so I have mixed feelings.

    I wish there was 2-3 tracks with big vocals, something challenging.

    I was also expecting to hear certain sounds that are lacking here.
    Even something accapella.

    On first listen, I’d name Bigger, Brown Skin Girl, Otherside, My Power and Spirit as my fav.
    Not a big fan of Already on first listen.

  7. WHERE IS SHE July 19, 2019

    Her voice is really struggling on SPIRIT and the other songs. She should have a vocal coach.
    And also I felt like during the entire album that she is just singing these songs to release something to make more money. I felt no real artistry or any kind of authenticity on the album.
    It’s even worse than the floppy Everything is Love. Poor Bey is really struggling these days, she is now only a brand without real substance.
    Another flop album in her catalog.

    3.5/10

    • #TheTruth July 19, 2019

      Well that’s your opinion.

      But do you really think she’s putting out that kind of album to make more money ? That’s hilarious.

      She just has to sign an advertising contract and she’s get a hundred times what she’s gonna make with that.

      Some of you all don’t know what to come up with anymore to criticize her.

      And to clear things up, I’m no Beyhive or anything like that, I don’t have time to waste like that.

      • Shayla Queen July 19, 2019

        Except clearly you do…

    • ME July 19, 2019

      You sound like a hater, so you needs your opinion on her music. Your first sentence started off hating and then talking about Beyonce voice is struggling?? The struggle is your comment. Find a life and stay in it.

    • Tyler (We are the grandchildren of the slaves you couldn’t kill) July 19, 2019

      Are you def? Her vocals are PERFECT. Especially her lower register.

  8. MessyBoots July 19, 2019

    Dats that jealousy dont you come for me!!!

    Dont Jealous Me is a whole mood, just one OF on this collection.

    I’m constantly in awe of Bey’s music evolution from DC to today.

    My Personal Top 5

    1 OTHERSIDE
    1 JA ARA E
    2 DON’T JEALOUS ME
    3 WATER
    4 KING OF THE KINGDOM
    5 MY POWER

    Top 5 (for Top 40 listeners)

    1 MOOD 4 EVA
    2 ALREADY
    3 BROWN SKIN GIRL
    4 BIGGER
    5 SPIRIT

  9. Keith July 19, 2019

    I’m with the TGJ editors except for Brown Skin Girl…not really feeling that one.

    • Tyler (We are the grandchildren of the slaves you couldn’t kill) July 19, 2019

      Really? That’s my fave.

  10. Whoops ??‍♀️??? July 19, 2019

    BIGGER ????

    • Fancy BISH July 19, 2019

      YES! ?

  11. ME July 19, 2019

    Love this album!! Come thru Bey!! Still The Queen of Music!

  12. C July 19, 2019

    This album was the album I didn’t know I needed! And this comes from someone who doesn’t consider themselves a Beyoncé Stan. I enjoyed it! I listened to it this am and it made me want to see the movie more but also appreciate the music because it felt like she put her time into this and it’s just a great album!

  13. A&R July 19, 2019

    I just can’t stop crying man. Just blessed to be alive during these times. The biz of the Carter clan is literally world history being made before our eyes.

  14. Bosaze July 19, 2019

    Shocked no one has mentioned Find Your Way Back…def one of my top 5 along with Bigger, Mood 4 Eva, Already, and Brown Skin Girl

  15. DIABETES UNBOTHERED July 19, 2019

    The whole first time listening to GIFT as a whole I had VISUALS playing in my head the whole time. This is a very innovative album IMO kinda like beds version of P Diddys press play album but more Depth and Artistic. For A Soundtrack this is A+ I love how they put Don’t Jealous me right after She s intro… Perfect story telling. The songs without Bey on them are surprisingly just as good

  16. DIABETES UNBOTHERED July 19, 2019

    *EDIT*

    The whole first time listening to GIFT as a whole I had VISUALS playing in my head the whole time. This is a very innovative album IMO kinda like beys version of P Diddys press play album but more Depth and Artistic. For A Soundtrack this is A+ I love how they put Don’t Jealous me right after SCARS intro… Perfect story telling. The songs without Bey on them are surprisingly just as good

Recommended Posts
..**