This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
On July 10, 2019, Disney announced that the soundtrack to their new version of the Lion King would be 'steeped in the sounds of Africa', with Beyonce at the helm as the producer.
The first single, Beyonce's Spirit, was released just hours later, and it begins with the Swahili phrase 'Uishi kwa muda mrefu mfalme', which translates to 'Long live the king.'
According to Disney, the full album, The Lion King: The Gift, will be released in nine days, coinciding with the global release of the film.
The album is set to feature the work of African producers, with Beyonce stating that 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.'
She added that the album is a 'mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound', drawing influence from R&B, hip-hop, and Afro Beat.
