'The Lion King: The Gift' A Quintessential "Love Letter to Africa"
Although ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ album just released this weekend, it has already become The No. 1 album on the charts. In addition to this album going No. 1, it has been trending across all social media platforms with fans raving about all of the songs. This album is authentic and unapologetically rooted in Africa and the history of its people.
The album executive produced by Beyoncé features several African artists and writers from across the world. The album features Nigerian artists like Tekno, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage. The album also features Shatta Wale representing Ghana, Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly for South Africa, and Salatiel for Cameroon.
Beyoncé’s “Love Letter to Africa” is empowering, beautiful, uplifting, heart warming, and joyous. The 27 track album is an affirmation and celebration that validates that brown bodies are seen and heard. The writers on this album really did more than what needed to be done! These lyrics are boastful and exude the confidence that we should all have in our culture as black people. The sense of pride in the bloodline of Africa is ensuring and comforting, especially because it was not always cool or celebrated in America to be from Africa or of African descent. Each song has been carefully curated for its audience as individuals; all of the lyrics are truly touching. Beyoncé and these artists are speaking to you, to me, to all of us. Receive the messages of these songs as they will spark an immense fire of burning pride and happiness in you and who you are.
“Brown Skin Girl” is a track that has been trending on social media with #BrownSkinGirl. The song features, Blue Ivy, Wizkid, SAINt JHN. “Brown Skin Girl” is a song that needs to be added to the archives and utilized as a staple for self love for brown women and girls. The Chorus of “Brown Skin Girl” sings….
“Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
Your back against the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say
Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
The best thing in all the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say”
It’s healing and assuring for brown skin girls everywhere. As a mother, Beyoncé is making sure that her children and all others that are like hers never have to doubt how precious they are. Beyoncé has remained dedicated to utilizing her voice and reach to inform everyone that we are beautiful and perfect just the way we are. Brown girls everywhere can continue to bask in the eloquence of this anthem the same way in which Lupita Nyongo did as she heard Beyoncé’s smooth and deep voice praise her.
It’s awe-inspiring to see that Beyoncé has always celebrated the meaning of being black and educating herself and others about African culture. As a listener, hearing so many nuances, influences, and varying languages from Africa on this album is truly indescribable. To be able to hear and recognize one’s native tongue on a “mainstream” album for the masses across the globe to hear is powerful.
This album goes beyond acceptance and embraces all of the people of Africa with open arms. Beyoncé is sharing her influence and audience with all of the musicians and writers that she has collaborated with to create this masterpiece. The incorporation of actual African artists is a reminder that cultures can be celebrated alongside the very people that have been steeped in this culture since birth. Not only are these artists being exposed to Beyoncé fans, but also fans of Disney and The Lion King worldwide. People that may not have tuned into The Afrobeat genre on their own are now listening by way of Beyoncé. This is is major! Afrobeat has been soaring outside of Africa in recent years and will only become more influential and most likely become a part of popular culture.
‘The Lion King: The Gift’ is absolutely sensational and liberating. Beyoncé’s vocals are stronger than ever as it pushes and challenges the density and depth of the African instrumentals. Hopefully, Beyoncé will treat fans to performances on a few favorites from this album soon!
Stream the album now!
