On Friday, Jul. 19, we return to the Pride Lands of Africa with Beyoncé’s new album The Lion King: The Gift, a soundtrack album she produced and curated for the remake of the famous Disney animated film. The album features new songs inspired by the film as well as notable appearances of afrobeats stars from Nigeria and Ghana. The absolutely sizzling afrobeats-inspired soundtrack features some of the genre’s hottest artists including Wizkid and Tiwa Savage.
We also recommend our guide to 10 female afrobeats artists you should know.
Notable tracks with afrobeats stars
There has never been a prouder moment for afrobeats than now, a genre that rarely get exposure in the American mainstream. The Gift album, out today, features contributions afrobeats artists including Wizkid, Mr. Eazi, Yemi Alade, Shatta Wale, Tekno, Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage.
Track 6 – Don’t Jealous Me by Tekno, Yemi Alade and Mr Eazi
Track 8 – Ja Ara E by Burna Boy
Track 15 – Brown Skin Girl by Beyoncé, SAINt JHN and Wizkid featuring Blue Ivy Carter
Track 17 – Keys to the Kingdom by Tiwa Savage and Mr Eazi
Track 19 – Already by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale and Major Lazer
The Gift bears a clear influence of African sound and culture. And is clearly going to create a new awareness on afrobeats – what an introduction to the sound for those that this marks their first experiencing of hearing something real from the genre.
The soundtrack’s 27 parts is full of dialogue from the film as interludes, including voices from James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and others. You can check out the full track listing below. The Lion King (2019) is in theatres this weekend and stars Beyoncé, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, and others.
