Beyonce‘s visual album ‘Black Is King’ blazed onto Disney+ yesterday and shook the internet all the way up.
A year in the making, the breathtaking production shone a spotlight on Africa – with the singer billing it her love letter to the Motherland.
Inspired by the themes explored in ‘The Lion King’ (the billion-dollar blockbuster Bey starred in as Nala), this film is powered by the music found on 2019 companion compilation ‘The Lion King: The Gift.’ A critically-acclaimed effort that saw the singer join forces with some of Africa’s brightest shining stars such as Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade.
Shooting spanned many locations across the globe, including Nigeria, Ghana, London, Belgium, and Los Angeles. And the resulting film has received rapturous applause from fans and critics alike.
Join us below us we unpack That Grape Juice’s Top 5 Moments From ‘Black Is King’…
My Power
Explosive!
Like many, the high-octane nature of the song had us anticipating this most. And oh did it deliver.
The fire choreography, the ferocious sass, the regality. Blazing bliss.
*****
Water
As one of the more underrated gems on ‘The Gift,’ few could have predicted the potency of this visual.
Luminous, colorful, and colossal, this made for an enchanting watch.
Pharrell Williams’ appearance helped amplify the epic, while the dancing with the calabash on head defined dazzling.
*****
Brown Skin Girl
We dare you to not shed a tear during this celebration of melanin magic.
The debutant theme and glowing showings from the likes of Kelly Rowland, Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, and Blue Ivy warmed us in earnest.
Bey and Kelly’s moment was a particularly joyful tear-jerker.
*****
Already
Dance has always been at the center of the Beyonce “experience,” but there was something super special about seeing Queen Bey tap into African movement. From hitting the Gbese, the Shaku Shaku, and more. She not only nailed ’em, she proved that she is willing and wanting to evolve as a performer – despite already sitting top of the pack.
Ghana’s Dancehall king Shatta Wale shone too!
*****
The Subtleties That Had A Seismic Effect
As mesmerising and visually astounding as ‘Black Is King’ is, some of the more subtle, embedded moments gave us equal amounts of fulfilment.
Like the added adlibs on ‘Brown Skin Girl,’ the blend of new and known footage for ‘Spirit’ and ‘Bigger,’ and the return of original Beyonce dancer Aisha Francis – whose pregnant slay in ‘My Power’ was a highlight.
As the age old adage goes, sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference.
*****
So, those were our top moments from ‘Black Is King.’ What are yours? Let us know…
Beywackce is over no one cares sis hang it up
Sis you hang it up how you wish don’t no one cares. Black is King 👑 is on ever ones lips and every news cast channel here and abroad. Haters you’re not welcome here anymore so bye bye 👋👋👋👋. Beyoncé will received her just due awards this time around Emmys Oscars Grammys tip honors 💯💯💯💯💯 deserve Beyoncé not to be snub this time around no no no
And album still flopped she’s really trying to force this flop album
Flop where? It was #1 and #2 on the charts last year and it’s top 10 on iTunes right now. Byeeee!
You wish she was over, you dried up whora!!!!! Stay mad.
How much did it sell first week exactly a flop now she’s trying to force it since it flopped and will still flop after all this promo
This was an amazing movie i liked every part of it. I liked how beyonce always sells her art and ideas through film for instance lemonade she just needed a higher budget and disney took the cake now shes about to deliver alot of epic stuff.
Go bey!
I really enjoyed this! Her and her team really out did themselves. There was not 1 bad thing I can say about this visual presentation. I especially loved her putting in so many black creatives who are grossly ignored by the fashion industry and underrepresented in mainstream entertainment.
I both albums and songs are flopping
I thought the album was gonna shoot straight to number one on itunes after the release of this film
I thought the songs are gonna shoot up on itunes and spotify after the release of this film
Beyonce is really a flop
Exactly she’s so overrated stay talked about promoted and still flopped
So overrated but yet here you are once again talking about her. People don’t realize that there is an album as well cause it hasn’t been heavily promoted
I’m so tired of your self hatred
You are so dumb. Not everyone watched it on the first day. The visuals will be on Disney Plus for a while, so there is going to be organic sales from this.
YAWN
Where’s r9??
Good job Bey!
Meanwhile
Billboard 200 this week, Taylor soon pass 800k
Per hits daily double
–1 TAYLOR SWIFT | FOLKLORE. 844,,402 (New)
–2 LOGIC | NO PRESSURE 210,836 (New)
3. JUICE WRLD | LEGENDS NEVER DIE 108,771
4. POP SMOKE | SHOOT FOR THE STARS AIM FOR THE MOON. 102,963
5 HAMILTON | ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST
UPTOWN/ATLANTIC 72,340
6 GUNNA | WUNNA
YOUNG STONER LIFE. 66,035
7. LIL BABY | MY TURN. 50,389-
8 THE KID LAROI | F*CK LOVE. 39,071–
9. POST MALONE | HB. 32,883
10 HARRY STYLES | FINE LINE. 31,413
Taylor Swift broke Beyonce records for debuting 7 #1 album consecutively. Taylor is now tied with The legendary Janet Jackson and is now the third place for female for having #1 album , following Other legendary females such as Madonna with 9 and Barbara Streisand with 11
Good job!
Congrats!
Queen Bey broke her #1 streak when “Everything Is Love” debuted at #2. Also, Her follow up album “The Gift” also debuted at #2 in overall chart (#4) in Top album chart.
She’s white. That’s why.
Hi Abel, what about Ashlee Simpson? Hillary Duff? JoJo? Michelle Branch?
Furthermore, HOW DARE YOU bring up Taylor’s mayo White ass in the thread about Black is King. The level of disrespect and racism in this thread is beyond me. After that shake it off video, appropriating black culture she can swallow rocks. It’ll prob help her sound better IMO.
TAYLOR WILL NEVER BEAT BEYONCE. BEYONCE HAS NEVER DEBUTED AT ANYTHING BUT #1. Some artists have more number ones, but EVERY BEYONCE SOLO ALBUM HAS DEBUTED AT NUMBER 1. SHUT UP.
I admire Beyonce, I’m also friends with beehives.
But
Lol I disagree
lmfaoooooooo, don’t you dare come for Taylor and get dragged
Everything is Love is #2
Homecoming #4
The Gift: Lion King #4
I JUST SAID FACTS. BEYONCE HAS 6 NUMBER 1 SOLO( i will say it again for the people in the back) SOLO!!!!! STUDIO ALBUMS! NO other artist can say that…. NOT EVEN TAYLOR MEDIOCRE SWIFT.
The only reason why taylor swift sells is that there are a lot of other MEDIOCRE WHITE GIRLS like taylor in AMERICA. They can relate to her mayo music. SHE CAN NOT DO WHAT BEYONCE DOES. SHE CAN NOT DANCE. She is an average singer, AND BORING performer. LIKE THIS IS STUPID TO EVEN HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT MEDIOCRE ARTIST.
She will never step on the stage with the queen and if she does, its because the QUEEN ALLOWED IT. (2009 VMAS)
Lewis is delusional
#13kyonce
Lion king the gift flopped
Lewey u are clearly making all this lies and fantasies in your head lmfaooooo
Eve lip lock is saying the FACTS only
7 of Taylor albums debuted at number one
6 Beyoncé album debuted in number one
So which is higher seven or six
Taylor is no mediocre, everyone has standards and different tastes
I respect Beyonce business but Im not into screaming and dancing like her
I like Janet and Taylor better musically and they talented too
So stop your delusions
You are just a hater and jealous of Taylor so stfu
CLEARLY you can not read or comprehend. I SAID ALL OF HER SOLO ALBUMS HAVE DEBUTED AT #1. TAYLORS FIrst album did not. THAT IS THE RECORD BEYONCE HOLDs. NOT THE NUMBER OF ALBUMS. NO one is making excuses for the sales of Beyonce. I AM TALKING ABOUT TAYLOR MEDIOCRE SWIFT and THE MANY MEDIOCRE WHITE FEMALES AND GAYS who can relate to her mediocre music. BEYONCE HAS RANGE, SOMETHING TAYLOR DOES NOT. Beyonce could sing ANY TAYLOR SWIFT song way better than her. MATTER OF FACT, ANY BLACK CHURCH IN THE SOUTH holds many females who can blow that MEDIOCRE ASS VOICE OUT THE WATER.
Nobody mediocre here. It’s just YOU lewey
Stay mad. I stan the queen of the Grammys, vmas, and countless other accolades. You can call me mediocre all you want. You don’t know me. However, you stan a mediocre artist.
i mean she is beyonce she’s gonna always del a great visual but truthfully something about her has worn off. the music itself is just not good. i can appreciate what she did but the music was just not good. beyonce has become a visual act and that is what carlos santana meant when he called her a model singer. u have to watch her to enjoy the music, ppl cant drive to that.
You know what i always said that, bcuz with her songs you dont like them until she puts a visual out and then its a bop.
But what she needs to do is give us another BDAY era and slay every video.
Shes been giving us visuals.
There’s no denying that. I’ve said this for years and has always been my criticism with beyonce. But I’ve come to accept that that’s just her thing as an artist. After her first 2 albums she really shifted to being a visual act. Visuals and performing is her thing.
But her “visuals” are repetitive and predictably boring. Whats she gonna do when that wears out, because its starting to now.
Whaaaattt the songs on The Gift
Are so good..the dancehall/afrobeatz music is everything
Y’all kiss her ass so much it’s sad
People don’t really care anymore aside the bees, she needs to turn it down a little with the costumes, everything is one big costume after another. It takes away the little talent she has a good performer.
Gorgeous visuals
Forgettable songs
Not a big Beyoncé fan, but she slayed
I was underwhelmed. Just high fashion and scenery. But no real story. Just like lemonade and life is but a dream. In other words a boring one time watch that she made only for the stans. You want real African appreciation just support the actual artists.
IF YOU WATCHED THE MOVIE, YOU WOULD REALIZE THAT THE ARTIST HAD THEIR OWN VIDEOS. You are steam pressedt.
Mariah’s glitter soundtrack is 1000 times better then this 💩 #justice for glitter. #Black is litter will flopped so hard. Trust me!
the visuals overall are great but there is a disconnect in the storyline overall. honestly. im not blown away. nothing about this is original. how many more “visual albums” we gon get? its getting boring now.
but u know why she keeps doing these visual stuff? its become the music is uninspiring, dull and doesnt do anything anymore. so she has to rely on visuals. after this week we all gon forget about this
lmaoooo how come all this “praise” and “critical acclaim” and internet breaking never translates into…..SALES? lmfaooooooooooooooooooooo
Mood 4 Eva u guys come on. Stay in your struggles
Black excellence! 💯 I’m still taking it all in and thank you Bey ❤️ for more of a LEVEL of artistry that will LIVE ON. 🤴🏾 👑 🤳🏽
I agree with you fancy. U been a relevant commenter here since 2014 Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” hit #1
I’m the source of fancy-ness for both of you. U guys should respect me as your blueprint. I’m not just fancy, FANCIER but I’m the FANCIEST BISH ever. You can ask your fave Iggy Iggz.
Awww…To my stans, I’mma STAY that BISH! 🤳🏽💋
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5clkFgVhmj4
You are really my gurl fancy. I’m proud of you. You are that bish🤳🏼💅🍾👑
https://youtu.be/O-zpOMYRi0w
I’ve just finished watching and I’m on the fence. All of the fashion and looks were great. Highlight looks include “My Power”, “Brown Skin Girl”, “Mood 4 Eva” “Water” and “Already”. Glad that she dedicated it to her son, that was awesome. But there’s a strong and very noticeable disconnect with “The Lion King”, “The Gift” and “Black Is King”. It doesn’t toe in together the way the sje said it would and just becomes loosely based on the “The Lion King” while trying to tie in “The Gift”. If she wanted to make s bunch of African inspired videos, why not just record a “4 Vol. II”? There’s also alot of crossing up of Christianity and Astrology and other religious beliefs that gets in the way, that just made the story even more confusing and weird. Some of the music wasn’t really great without visuals and even with visuals, they’re still just ehh. I think that speaks to around 2013 when she started to focus more on production and visuals and less on music. Which is weird because “4” was an amazing album that could’ve stood without visuals, mostly because none of the videos that era compared to her live performances or the visuals shes given since. All in all, this was an interesting, beautiful project that simply couldn’t successfully tie together the story but instead was a loose string tying together great videos. Much of the issues that were present in the “LEMONADE” film were present here. That annoying narration just simply didn’t work in “Black Is King” as it did in “LEMONADE” because IT WASN’T NEEDED! If the there was an actual script for the storyline, it would’ve been fine. But instead, Beyonce (and Jay Z) felt the need to narrate Africa inspired beauty shots for some reason. I’d give this project 3/5. Beyonce, you’ve lost yourself in trying to ‘out do’ yourself. I get trying to get past your old work pre “4”, “BEYONCÉ” and “LEMONADE”, but it has become pretentious, redundant, predictable, overprocessed and overwhelming.
The costumes are overwhelming
Too much
Big over the top outfits with hair .
But I love it.
My power is so good.
well said
Yawn…. Beyonce is garbage and Black is KIng is lame AF
Your clearly a trans brad or homo Brad jealous your mayo mustard ass will always second class & will always burn in the sun…
This was about blk love & pride..this wasnt about the white supremacy that’s the billboard charts idiots…this was not for burn in the suns..this was for us, by us period..
PERIODTTTTT
Same ol stunt!! That’s all she is good for, shaking her ass with troops of dancers while profiting off African culture. Hang it up already Bey. You can’t act or sell records like Taylor. Stream folklore.
Quality over Quantity, sis. Taylor is not comparable as I stated earlier. Go ahead and stream that WHACK MEDIOCRE, NO SOUL having music. Her music reminds of Food with no seasoning. However, I’m sure you are used to that. ENJOY.
That’s why Taylor keep selling right? Not everyone can play instruments, and able to write and produce their own songs. You can capitalize all the words you want and I’ll just keep feeding you facts and statistics. Have a bless day and don’t forget to stream folklore.
Crying when she put the baby in the basket during otherside