Black Is King is Beyoncé’s visual album inspired by Black culture and Afrofuturism.
Released in 2020, Black Is King was written, directed, and executive-produced by Beyoncé. It reimagines the music from The Lion King: The Gift, her companion album to Disney’s 2019 film The Lion King. The project uses music videos, choreography, fashion, symbolism, and international settings to present a contemporary coming-of-age story.
The film features appearances by artists including Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z, Tina Knowles-Lawson, and several performers from The Gift. Its visual language draws on African diasporic traditions while also using futuristic styling and highly designed sets.
Black Is King is not the same project as Lemonade, Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album, or Renaissance, her 2022 studio album. The connection to The Lion King is central: the visual album expands the themes and music of The Gift rather than serving as a conventional concert film.