Beyonce has shared a sneak peek of her highly-anticipated visual album Black Is King, with just hours to go until it officially premieres on Disney+.
The sneak peek aired on Good Morning America Thursday, where viewers were treated to never-before-seen footage from the upcoming project.
An overjoyed Beyonce, 38, shared her hopes for the new film, which was shot everywhere from Johannesburg, South Africa to her own backyard.
Coming soon! Beyonce has shared a sneak peek of her highly-anticipated visual album Black Is King, with just hours to go until it officially premieres on Disney+
‘Black Is King is finally here!’ Beyonce said. ‘I’m so excited you guys get to watch it tonight on Disney+. It’s been a year in the making. I worked with a diverse group of very gifted directors and actors and creatives from all over the world to reimagine the story of the Lion King.
‘The narrative unfolds through music videos, fashion, dance, beautiful natural settings, and raw new talent. But it all started in my backyard. So, from my house to Johannesburg, to Ghana to London to Belgium to the Grand Canyon, it was truly a journey to bring this film to life.
‘And my hope for this film is that it shifts the global perception of the word “Black”, which has always meant inspiration and love and strength and beauty to me. Black Is King means Black is regal and rich and history and purpose and lineage.
‘I hope you all love it, I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you all see it tonight.’
‘Black Is King is finally here!’ Beyonce was thrilled to share her project with the world
Glam: The sneak peek included previously released footage of an opulent tea party
Star-studded: Naomi Campbell is one of the many big names appearing in the film
Stunning: New footage included shots of the gorgeous costumes appearing in the film
Dance break: Scenes also included a group of people dancing in the streets
Majestic: The unseen footage included scenes of the beautiful, natural settings
New, never-before-seen footage included vibrant scenes of people dancing in the streets to majestic shots of the environment.
The star-studded music video features Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Kelly Rowland, Pharrell Williams, Beyonce’s husband Jay-Z and their daughter Blue Ivy.
Beyonce began working on Black Is King a year ago as a companion piece to The Lion King soundtrack, but the project took on a deeper meaning in the last few months with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
‘It’s been a year in the making’: Beyonce has spent a lot of time developing Black Is King
Aww: A baby lies inside a wicker basket
Hitting the road: A leopard print convertible cruises through a dirt road
Suited up: Men and women in orange suits line up beside a majestic mansion
‘It was truly a journey to bring this film to life’: Black Is King was filmed everywhere from South Africa to Ghana
Movie making: Beyonce began working on Black Is King a year ago as a companion piece to The Lion King soundtrack
‘I could never have imagined that a year later, all the hard work that went into this production would serve a greater purpose,’ Beyonce wrote on Instagram last month.
‘The events of 2020 have made the film’s vision and message even more relevant, as people across the world embark on a historic journey. We are all in search of safety and light. Many of us want change. I believe that when Black people tell our own stories, we can shift the axis of the world and tell our REAL history of generational wealth and richness of soul that are not told in our history books.
‘With this visual album, I wanted to present elements of Black history and African tradition, with a modern twist and a universal message, and what it truly means to find your self-identity and build a legacy.’
Black Is King will debut on Disney+ tonight at 12AM PST and 3AM EST.
Walk this way: A young woman walks through the breeze in a beautiful dress with a yellow ribbon in her hair
Lights, camera, action: People are seen exploring the foggy woods at night
Twirling: A group of dancers took to the ballroom
Deeper meaning: Beyonce said the film took on new purpose with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement this year
Out soon: Black Is King will debut on Disney+ tonight at 12AM PST and 3AM EST