Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Hear Beyonce's "Spirit" From 'Lion King: The Gift' hear-beyonces-new-song-spirit-her-lion-king-gift-album
Hear Beyonce's New Song "Spirit" From Her 'Lion King: The Gift' Album
The first song from the new Bey-curated and -produced album, due out July 19, will also be on 'The Lion King' soundtrack
In conjuntion with the blockbuster live-action remake of The Lion King, Beyoncé has curated and produced a new album with artists from around the world, The Lion King: The Gift, which is due out the same day the movie hits theatres, July 19. Last night, Bey delivered the first song from both the album and the movie's soundtrack, "Spirit." Have a listen:
"Spirit" is a collaboration with Lebo M. and Hans Zimmer, who also scored the film, and features Queen B's signature soaring, melismatic vocal complete with falsetto breakdown bridge, gospel choir and dramatic key change.
Beyoncé detaileed the album project in a statement, saying, "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."
"I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline," she continued. "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 Lion King: The Gift," an album featuring global artists & steeped in the sounds of Africa, produced & curated by @Beyonce Knowles-Carter, will release 7/19. "Spirit," the single from the album & soundtrack for The Lion King, will be available tonight. https://t.co/IbMpQvJ97U pic.twitter.com/AA7Fxl7hb7
— The Lion King (@disneylionking) July 9, 2019
The new The Lion King reboot also features Beyoncé as the voice of Nala and Donald Glover as the voice of Simba. The two artists teamed up to sing the film's Elton John and Tim Rice-penned "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" for the soundtrack, which will be released by Walt Disney Records, out digitally on July 11 and phisically on July 19.
'The Lion King 2019' Soundtrack To Feature Beyoncé, Childish Gambino & More
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Beyoncé Celebrates Black Pride On "BLACK PARADE" beyonc%C3%A9-celebrates-juneteenth-black-parade-epic-black-owned-businesses-directory
Beyoncé Celebrates Juneteenth With "BLACK PARADE" & Epic Black-Owned Businesses Directory
The BLACK PARADE ROUTE, curated by Queen Bey's stylist Zerina Akers, is a massive database of Black-owned businesses, ranging from art and design, beauty and wellness to restaurants and bars and more
Late on Fri., June 19 a.k.a. Juneteenth, Beyoncé sent waves of positivity across the world with the surprise drop of new song, "BLACK PARADE," along with a beautiful new page of her website highlighting Black-owned businesses. In addition to the amazing resource, proceeds from the powerful track will benefit go to the 24-time GRAMMY-winner's BeyGOOD's Black Business Impact Fund, which supports Black-owned small businesses.
"I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power," she wrote on Instagram. "'BLACK PARADE' celebrates you, your voice and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBo5I4rnAlc
A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)
Read: Rapper Niko Brim And Activist Opal Lee On The Importance Of Juneteenth: "It Represents Freedom"
The database, entitled the BLACK PARADE ROUTE, showcases Black-owned businesses and can be filtered by categories including Arts & Design, Restaurants & Bars, Beauty, Fashion and more. It's curated by Queen Bey's stylist Zerina Akers, who is accepting applications to be added here.
"Happy Juneteenth. Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right," the opening message on the database reads. Since its Friday evening launch, many of those included on the site shared messages of gratitude to Bey and Akers.
"S/O to @jesuisjeniece for sending me this, I am in shock! Wow thank you B," N.Y.C.-based fine artist Megan Gabrielle wrote on Instagram. "Wow. I am speechless & beyond honored. Thank you @beyonce," fashion designer Carlton Yaito echoed.
"I'm fully hyperventilating right now," Atlanta visual artist Osaze Akil wrote on Twitter. In the comments he added, "I'm so honored and grateful to be recognized on such a platform. So so so grateful. Thank you to everyone who's ever put my name out there, and supported me. My work is being seen."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBvtY30Ayob
A post shared by Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen (@findyourhilltop)
Los Angeles restaurant and coffee shop Hilltop, which has been featured in Issa Rae's "Insecure," was included as well. "Black Parade Route. Wow. What a time to be alive Big thanks to @beyonce for using her platform to share so many amazing black owned businesses and @zerinaakers for curating this amazing list. We are honored to be included," they wrote.
More Beyoncé: Justice For Breonna Taylor Would Demonstrate The Value Of A Black Woman's Life
With the song, Beyoncé's message of Black excellence and uplifting her melanated brothers and sisters is also clear. As Complex states, "Beyoncé is unapologetically Black on this track… [her] discography has always been an expression of Black culture, but fans really started to see her step into her own voice and explore the Black experience in more depth on 2016's critically-acclaimed album, Lemonade."
"Ooh, goin' up, goin' up / motherland, motherland drip on me. / Ooh, melanin, melanin, my drip is skin deep," Queen Bey sings. "Motherland, motherland drip on me. / Ooh, yeah, I can't forget my history is her-story. Being Black, maybe that's the reason why / they always mad, yeah, they always mad."
Learn: The Impressions' "People Get Ready" At 55: How Curtis Mayfield Created A Musical Balm For Black America
She also shouts out fellow Black leaders of past and present throughout the track. In the following lines, she nods to soul icon Curtis Mayfield, slain civil rights activists Malcom X and Martin Luther King, Jr., along with her mother Tina Knowles and Black Lives Matter and Women's March activist Tamika Mallory.
"Black love, we gon' stay together / Curtis Mayfield on the speaker. / Lil' Malcolm, Martin mixed with momma Tina. / Need another march, lemme call Tamika. / Need peace and reparation for my people."
"BLACK PARADE" is Beyoncé's first new music since July 2019's Lion King: The Gift album, which she executive produced and contributed to as part of her lead role in the Lion King remake. Back in April, Queen Bey hopped on Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage Remix" to raise money for COVID-19 relief in their hometown of Houston.
Beyoncé To The Class Of 2020: "You Can Lead The Movement That Celebrates Humanity"
Photo: Manny Carabel/WireImage/Getty Images
New Holiday Music: Kacey Musgraves, Jacquees, More 13-new-songs-add-your-holiday-playlist-kacey-musgraves-jacquees-flaming-lips-more
13 New Songs To Add To Your Holiday Playlist From Kacey Musgraves, Jacquees, The Flaming Lips & More
Based on the sheer amount of new holiday music released this year, apparently we all really need a big dose of festive cheer—Los Lobos, Macklemore, blink-182 and more are also here to help
Dec 24, 2019 - 8:30 am
Before we enter into the next decade, we have to get through the holidays. Whether you're one of the many people responsible for streaming Mariah Carey's 1994 classic "All I Want For Christmas Is You" to the top of the charts this month or you've trying your best to avoid the sound of jingle bells at all costs, the holiday season can create a whirlwind of emotions.
But one thing's clear: we can all use a big dose of festive cheer. Thanks to a rich, diverse selection of new holiday songs and albums from Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Jacquees, The Flaming Lips, Los Lobos, Macklemore and many others, it's the perfect time to get cozy and pump up the sounds of peace and joy.
2018 Holiday Jams: Don't Sleep On These Brand-New Holiday Songs From RuPaul, Lil Jon & More
"Glittery," Kacey Musgraves ft. Troye Sivan
If Mariah Carey is the reigning queen of Christmas music, Kacey Musgraves is definitely the princess. Back in 2016, the GRAMMY-winning alt-country star released A Very Kacey Christmas, featuring both original and classic tracks and toured with it. This year, she added brand-new shimmer to the album with an Amazon Prime special, "The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show."
The show was filled with special guests, including Aussie pop star Troye Sivan, who joined her to sing "Glittery," a new, original holiday song about a lover that makes you feel like a beautiful snow globe. The special also spawned a live album, meaning you can tune into this track and the rest of the fun moments anytime. Musgraves is truly a better-dressed, modern Santa.
"Christmas Tree Farm," Taylor Swift
The Swifties had a great year, as GRAMMY winner Taylor Swift released her currently GRAMMY-nominated seventh studio album, Lover. As if the LP and the singles and videos that led up to it weren't enough, the pop star gave her fans another gift just in time for the holidays, a new song called "Christmas Tree Farm."
Her lyrics are filled with nostalgia for the farm she grew up on and the simpler times of childhood, as they dance over the classic, bright holiday song melodies. The music video even features cute footage from the Swift family's home videos.
"It's Christmas Time," Macklemore Ft. Dan Caplen
Like Swift, GRAMMY-winning rapper Macklemore is also feeling a similar childhood nostalgia on his new track, "It's Christmas Time," featuring rising U.K. soul singer Dan Caplen. The cheerful song is paired with a cute, festive music video, in which the kids drink eggnog out of one of the Seattle artist's golden gramophones (which he won three of with Ryan Lewis back at the 56th GRAMMY Awards).
"Every year around Christmas time I think to myself 'Just do it Ben. Make the song. You can be the new Mariah Carey.' Well, this year I finally am," Macklemore joked on Twitter.
Watch: Mariah Carey Releases A New Video For "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
"7 O'Clock News / Silent Night," Phoebe Bridgers Ft. Fiona Apple and Matt Berninger
Tuning into the news in 2019 can be surreal and overwhelming. Apparently this was not so different in 1966, when GRAMMY-winning folk heroes Simon And Garfunkel released "7 O'Clock News / Silent Night," featuring a recording of the current news over their singing of the Christmas classic.
While technically not an original song like the rest on this list, Phoebe Bridgers, Fiona Apple and The National's Matt Beringer update the heart-wrenching song for our current reality, offering 100 percent of its proceeds to Planned Parenthood. Berninger plays the newscaster in this version, reading headlines about gun violence and anti-abortion legislation. The important, haunting song is part on the compilation album co-created by Berninger, 7-Inches for Planned Parenthood, which, of course, benefits the nonprofit organization.
"Miss You This Christmas," Letters to Cleo
"The days get short, the nights are really cold. / This year Christmas ain't the same / I'm not used to stringing lights alone, I miss you this Christmas," Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo sings on "Miss You This Christmas," from their new EP, OK Christmas. It is one of the two original songs on the Boston alt-rockers guitar-slicked holiday album, which also features two fun covers.
"Hanukkah in '96," Alex Frankel
In addition to all the new Christmas-themed music that dropped this season, Hanukkah+, a fun, star-studded compilation album, brought—finally!—a whole new batch of Hanukkah-themed bops. Frankel, a "Hebrew school dropout" and half of New York electro duo Holy Ghost!, contributes the synth-y, nostalgic "Hanukkah in '96." He says the fun new song is "the greatest Jewish song ever written (in a major key)."
Read: Holy Ghost! On What "Do This" Is Really About & Why They Feel So Good About 'Work'
"Sing It Now, Sing It Somehow," The Flaming Lips
Also a new track featured on Hanukkah+, The Flaming Lips' "Sing It Now, Sing It Somehow," is gorgeous, haunting and ecstatic, all at once. The producer of the album, GRAMMY-winning music supervisor Randall Poster said, "Seeing the Flaming Lips is like going to temple—if they had unicorns and body glitter as sacraments. So, I thought their spiritual connection would be relevant to celebration, contemplation and the spirit of the holiday." Amen.
"Christmas and You," Los Lobos
Read: Los Lobos' Louie Perez & David Hidalgo Working On A Ritchie Valens Musical
GRAMMY-winning Los Angeles rock greats Los Lobos recently released their first holiday album, Llegó Navidad, four decades into their illustrious musical career. Along with reimaginings of under-sung holiday classics "Feliz Navidad," "Dónde Está Santa Claus," "It's Christmas Time In Texas" and more, the album also offers a heartfelt original song, "Christmas and You."
As NPR's Michael Martin explained, "It is a classic Los Lobos operation—a lovingly curated collection of songs from across North, Central and South America with, of course, an original song that makes you want to cry."
"Alabaster," Andrew Bird
Like Los Lobos, current GRAMMY nominee Andrew Bird has dropped his first holiday album several decades into his career (his first album came out in 1996). The indie folk-rock violinist's new EP, Hark!, follows his aptly-titled, GRAMMY nominated LP, My Finest Work Yet. The six-track surprise project is very much an Andrew Bird Christmas album, filled with his trademark whistling, melancholic lyrics and a mellow, lo-fi "White Christmas" cover. One of the original tracks, "Alabaster," feels both like a church hymn and a local pub's winter closing song, in the best way possible.
Of the project, the "Olympians" singer said, "A lot of folks have a hard time with the holidays but they serve a purpose to us as a people—to create comfort, warmth and atmosphere within the darkness and the cold that can crush one's spirit. There are a couple originals in here that address this idea of light and warmth in the darkness as well as some classics that have some nostalgic resonance with me. Hark! What sounds come flowing alabaster?"
Watch: Andrew Bird Covers Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" For ReImagined
"Christmas Party," Jacquees
The self-appointed "King Of R&B" Jacquees serves up a sexy dose of holiday spirit with his latest project and sophomore studio album, Christmas In Decatur. The nine-track LP of original holiday music, labeled as "HOTTTTT" by Hot New Hip Hop, arrived just one month after King Of R&B. The new album, whose title is a nod to his Georgia hometown, opens with the bubbling "Christmas Party," and also includes the amazingly NSFW "Like Santa Claus," ending on a celebratory high note with "Happy Holidays."
"Tell your people Happy Holidays (Happy Holidays). / We're so blessed to see these better days. / Oh, what a year it's been / All the up's and down's … / It's a New Year, baby, so glad that we made it out / all drinks on me, uh (all drinks on me)," Jacquees soulfully sings on the last track.
"Jolly Liver," Beach Slang
"I want beer!" James Alex of Philly rock outfit Beach Slang repeatedly growls over the chorus of their new rock 'n roll bah-humbug track, "Jolly Liver." Alex, who penned the song, closes it out with the amazing lines: "A-well-a-well-a, ho, ho, ho / and a-all that junk. / There ain't no halo hangin' 'round this dump. / I meant to be a saint. I ended up a drunk."
The new, rocking holiday-inspired song, released earlier this month, came along with the news that the band's next album, The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City, is due out Jan. 10.
"Not Another Christmas Song," blink-182
Apparently not one to follow their own advice, pop-punk group blink-182 follows 2001's "Won't Be Home For Christmas" with 2019's "Not Another Christmas Song." The new Christmas song has Mark Hoppus singing, "I'm burned out like lights on a tree. / Old songs, can't listen to these. / Fake a smile but all I can see is empty boxes and trees. / Another year not a coffin / Growing up or whatever you call it."
"Christmas Techno Dance," Klaus Blatter
This year, Santa was generous, as there are actually more new holiday songs than we can include on this list. We'll go out with the bizarre, hilarious holiday club track, "Christmas Techno Dance" by German comedic dance outfit act Klaus Blatter. It's paired with an equally wacky music video, for which the YouTube description explains, "The Christmas Techno Dance video is basically a summarized updating of the Bible with all the boring elements of the story removed… If you wish to enter the kingdom of god all you are for needing is this video and single of Klaus Blatter. The story is told!"
From the Recording Academy family to you and yours, please have a safe, joyful, music-filled holiday!
Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Hits No. 1 25 Years After Its Initial Releas
Beyonce and Blue Ivy
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Beyonce Releases 'Lion King' "Spirit" Music Video beyonce-releases-stunning-lion-king-spirit-music-video-featuring-blue-ivy-cameo
Beyonce Releases Stunning 'Lion King' "Spirit" Music Video Featuring A Blue Ivy Cameo
The brand-new visuals premiered during an ABC primetime special on Tuesday, July 16
Beyoncé brings dramatic choreography to the desert and waterfall backgrounds in her video for "Spirit," the first single from her curated Lion King: The Gift album featuring Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Tierra Whack and more from Disney's The Lion King remake.
The "Formation" singer, who voices "Nala" in The Lion King remake, wears colorful dresses as she dances emotively on cue with groups of dancers in the video, which premiered in an ABC primetime special on Tuesday, July16. Her daughter Blue Ivy Carter also makes a special cameo in the clip, wearing a matching outfit and sporting red hair.
"Spirit" is a collaboration with GRAMMY winner Hans Zimmer and Lebo M. In a statement, Beyoncé described her vision for the album.
"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," she 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."
The Lion King soundtrack is out digitally July 11 and physically July 19.
Beyoncé Shares Epic Track List For 'The Lion King: The Gift:' JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Eazi, Shatta Wale & Many More
Photo: Ian West/PA Images/Getty Images
Beyonce's Lion King Album: JAY-Z, Mr. Eazi, More beyonce-shares-epic-track-list-lion-king-gift-jay-z-kendrick-lamar-mr-eazi-shatta-wale
Beyonce Shares Epic Track List For 'The Lion King: The Gift:' JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Eazi, Shatta Wale & Many More
The GRAMMY-winning star of the Disney remake will share more details about her curated album in an exclusive interview on ABC
Jul 16, 2019 - 3:07 pm
Today, GRAMMY-winning multi-hyphenate Beyoncé offered the world yet another gift, the stacked track list of the forthcoming The Lion King-inspired album she executive produced. The 14-song LP features some of the hottest talent from the States and Africa, including her co-star Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino, her husband JAY-Z and past-collaborator Kendrick Lamar. Rising American artists Tierra Whack, 070 Shake and Jessie Reyez also contribute to tracks, as well as Nigerian powerhouses Mr Eazi, Burna Boy, WizKid, Tiwa Savage, Tekno and Yemi Alade, plus Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale, Cameroonian artist Salatiel and South Africa's Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly.
Both the The Lion King: The Gift album and the new CGI-animated film will be released this Fri., July 19. The Lion King Soundtrack, along with Beyoncé's powerful new track "Spirit," which finds a home on both albums, was released digitally last week. The film's soundtrack and score were composed by GRAMMY-winner Hans Zimmer, with "Spirit" coming from Zimmer, Lebo M. and Beyoncé.
.@Beyonce on "Spirit": "The soundtrack is a love letter to Africa…it becomes visual in your mind. It's a soundscape."
See more TONIGHT on '#TheLionKing Can You Feel the Love Tonight? with @RobinRoberts' special at 8pmET on @ABCNetwork! https://t.co/mfhnDwDPg8 pic.twitter.com/mADrEkn1Gy
— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 16, 2019
Beyoncé offers vocals on 10 of the tracks on The Gift, including on "The Nile" with Lamar, "Mood 4 Eva" with JAY and Gambino and on "Brown Skin Girl" with her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, WizKid and St. Jhn.
"This soundtrack is a love letter to Africa and I wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa, and not just use some of the sounds and did my interpretation of it. I wanted it to be authentic to what is beautiful about the music in Africa," Beyoncé told ABC News in a segment aired on Good Morning America earlier today.
This clip is from her interview with GMA Anchor Robin Roberts; the full Q&A will air on ABC tonight, along with a premiere of the music video for "Spirit."
"We've kind of created our own genre and I feel like the soundtrack is the first soundtrack where it becomes visual in your in your mind. The soundscape is more than just the music because each song tells the story of the film," Queen Bey added.
More: Beyonce Gives A Moving Speech At The 2019 GLAAD Media Awards: "LGBTQI Rights Are Human Rights"
The original Lion King movie was released in 1994 and featured music written by Elton John and Tim Rice, including "Circle Of Life" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight." Those now-classic songs earned the pair four nominations at the 37th GRAMMY Awards. John earned a fifth nod and a win; "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" earned him a GRAMMY for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The dynamic duo also offered the creative genius to a majority of new soundtrack.
Today has been a big day for Beyoncé; her moving Homecoming documentary received six Emmy nominations. Along with the star-studded new album, you can finally watch the Beyoncé and Glover-starring film this Fri., July 19. If you can't wait, you can also tune into her interview with Robin Roberts airing tonight, July 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Carlos Santana On Woodstock & The Power Of Music: "These People Wanted The Same Things We Want Today"