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It’s the circle of life. Fresh on the heels of the release of Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King, the Beyoncé-curated soundtrack The Lion King: The Gift has also arrived.
The 14-track album is stacked with star-studded features from the likes of JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, Childish Gambino, Tierra Whack and more. The album also includes contributions from global stars Tekno, Mr Eazi, Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, SAINt JHN, Wiz Kid, Tiwa Savage and Shatta Wale.
Described by Bey as a “love letter to Africa,” the effort serves as a companion to the film, as well as an ode to the African motherland.
“I wanted it to be authentic to what is beautiful about the music in Africa,” Beyoncé told Robin Roberts on Tuesday’s The Lion King: Can you Feel the Love Tonight special, adding that the production consists of “a lot” of drums and “incredible new sounds, mixed with some of the producers from America.”
In addition to executiveproducing the album, Bey’s featured on several songs: the opening track, “Bigger”; “The Nile,” featuring Lamar; “Find Your Way Back (Circle of Life)”; “Mood 4 Eva,” with JAY-Z and Gambino; as well as “Otherside,” “Water,” “Already” and the previously released “Spirit.”
Meanwhile, the track “Brown Skin Girl” features an appearance from Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
“We’ve kind of created our own genre and I feel like the soundtrack is the first soundtrack where it becomes visual in your mind,” Bey explained. “The soundscape is more than just the music because each song tells the story of the film.”
The Lion King: The Gift is now available from all the usual outlets.
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