UPDATE, July 18: Beyoncé returns with a stunning visual for the uplifting track. The video includes a cameo from her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
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Not only is Beyoncé the voice of Nala in the new Lion King reboot, she’s also the curator and executive producer of a new companion album for the film titled The Lion King: The Gift.
“This is sonic cinema,” said Beyonce of The Gift. “This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip-hop, and Afro Beat.
“I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline,” she continued. “Each song was written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation. It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me.”
The announcement was accompanied by the project’s first single “Spirit.” The uplifting track was written by IIya Salmanzadeh, Timothy McKenzie, and Beyoncé, and produced by Beyoncé, IIya, and Labrinth.
The Lion King live action starring Beyoncé , Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver and James Earl Jones hits theaters July 19th.
