On Thursday night, Beyoncé dropped
her anticipated The Lion King: The Gift album, which is
described as a "love letter to Africa."
She produced and curated the
compilation record, which accompanies the CGI reboot of the hit 1994 film, in
which she portrays Nala. The album features new songs inspired by the
film, as well as "Spirit" from the movie's soundtrack, which was also
released separately as its own album. The Lion King: The Giftfeatures the
singer's husband Jay-Z, her co-star Donald
Glover—using his music artist name of Childish Gambino, Pharrell
Williams, and Kendrick
Lamar. In addition, Beyoncé and her husband's daughter Blue
Ivy Carter, 7, is featured on the song "Brown Skin
Girl," and also has a writing credit.
The album is "steeped in
African influences from various corners of the Continent, with unexpected
collaborations, pulsating rhythms and crisp production that celebrate the African
diaspora. This love letter to Africa highlights the setting of the
film, rooted in African culture and wondrous narratives," according to a
press release.
"I wanted to put everyone on
their own journey to link the storyline," Beyoncé said.
"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."
Let's decode the lyrics to the songs on The Lion
King: The Gift Album
1. "Balance" (Mufasa
interlude) - James Earl Jones: The actor reprises his role as Simba's dad and recites
one of his famous lines that he tells his son: "Everything you see exists
together in a delicate balance. You need to understand that balance and respect
all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope. We're all
connected in the great circle of life."
2. "Bigger" - Beyoncé ft.
RAYE: The lyrics
inspire personal motivation: "Bigger, you're part of something way better
/ Bigger than you, bigger than we / Bigger than the picture they
framed us to see / Legacy, oh, you're part of something way bigger."
3. "The Stars" (Mufasa
interlude): Jones'
Mufasa tells his son to "look at the stars. The great kings of the past
look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember,
those kings will always be up there to guide you, and so will I." An
African chant is heard as he speaks.
4. "Find Your Way Back"
- Beyoncé:
sings about navigating life: "Find your way back / Big, big world,
but you got it, baby / Find your way back, don't let this life drive you
crazy / Find your way back, come back home with the street lights on
/ Find your way back, find your way back, yeah"
5. "Uncle Scar" (Scar
interlude) - Chiwetel
EjioforScar dryly tells his nephew, "Go back to your den,
Simba... I don't babysit."
6. "Don't Jealous Me" -
Tekno, Yemi Alade & Mr. Eazi: The fast-paced song about personal relationships and
conflict contains lyrics such as "Sheep don't run with lion / Snake
don't swing with monkey / I can't talk for too long / Got too much
gold to try on" and "Jealousy / Don't you jealous me
/ That's that jealousy."
7. "Danger" (Young Simba
and Young Nala interlude) - JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright: Young Simba brags to young Nala that
he "laughs in the face of danger" as he brings her to explore an
elephant graveyard beyond the Pride Lands.
8. "Ja Ara E" - Burna Boy: The song title is a slang
word that means "Wise Up." It is in Yoruba, a language spoken in
African nations such as Nigeria.
9. "Run Away" (Scar and
Young Simba interlude) - JD McCrary and Chiwetel Ejiofor: Scar tells Simba to "run away
and never return" after making him think he got his father Mufasa killed.
10. "Nile" - Beyoncé and
Kendrick Lamar: This
slow R&B number uses a popular pun: "I'm in denial, deep in denial /
I'm in the Nile, deep in denial."
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