With the 2019 live-action remake of The Lion King and its accompanying soundtrack right around the corner, film star Beyoncé has announced her very own tie-in album. It's called The Lion King: The Gift, and the record will arrive on July 19 via Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records. What's more, she's set to release the new song "Spirit" tonight from the album.
Beyoncé serves as the executive producer on the newly announced album, which is a described as a multi-artist affair and a "musical ode to the classic story of Disney's The Lion King feature film."
While the tracklist has yet to be revealed, The Lion King: The Gift will feature the new Beyoncé single "Spirit," which appears in the film during a pivotal scene with her onscreen character Nala. The song will also appear on The Lion King Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, which solves the "TBA" mystery in the OST's previously revealed tracklist.
"Spirit" is to arrive digitally tonight, and that's the single art above. The song was written for the film by IIya Salmanzadeh, Timothy McKenzie and Beyoncé, and it was produced by Beyoncé with IIya and Labrinth.
UPDATE (7/9. 12 a.m. EDT): You can now stream "Spirit" at the bottom of the page.
Of the album as a whole, a press release states, "This love letter to Africa highlights the setting of the film, rooted in African culture and wondrous narratives."
It further explains, "With The Lion King: The Gift album, Beyoncé curated a masterful recording, a robust soundscape bringing together some of her favorite artists with the most talented and important African artists of the day to both pay tribute to the iconic film and bring the authentic sounds of African music to the world."
In a statement, Beyoncé herself said, "This is sonic cinema. 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."
Speaking of the yet-to-be-revealed artists on the album, she added: "I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. 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 tracklist and all the featured artists on The Lion King: The Gift will be revealed shortly, the press release promises. For now, get ready for "Spirit."
The Lion King Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will arrive digitally on July 11 and physically on July 19 via Walt Disney Records.
Jon Favreau's The Lion King film, meanwhile, is also out July 19.
Beyoncé serves as the executive producer on the newly announced album, which is a described as a multi-artist affair and a "musical ode to the classic story of Disney's The Lion King feature film."
While the tracklist has yet to be revealed, The Lion King: The Gift will feature the new Beyoncé single "Spirit," which appears in the film during a pivotal scene with her onscreen character Nala. The song will also appear on The Lion King Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, which solves the "TBA" mystery in the OST's previously revealed tracklist.
"Spirit" is to arrive digitally tonight, and that's the single art above. The song was written for the film by IIya Salmanzadeh, Timothy McKenzie and Beyoncé, and it was produced by Beyoncé with IIya and Labrinth.
UPDATE (7/9. 12 a.m. EDT): You can now stream "Spirit" at the bottom of the page.
Of the album as a whole, a press release states, "This love letter to Africa highlights the setting of the film, rooted in African culture and wondrous narratives."
It further explains, "With The Lion King: The Gift album, Beyoncé curated a masterful recording, a robust soundscape bringing together some of her favorite artists with the most talented and important African artists of the day to both pay tribute to the iconic film and bring the authentic sounds of African music to the world."
In a statement, Beyoncé herself said, "This is sonic cinema. 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."
Speaking of the yet-to-be-revealed artists on the album, she added: "I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. 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 tracklist and all the featured artists on The Lion King: The Gift will be revealed shortly, the press release promises. For now, get ready for "Spirit."
The Lion King Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will arrive digitally on July 11 and physically on July 19 via Walt Disney Records.
Jon Favreau's The Lion King film, meanwhile, is also out July 19.