The Lion King: The Gift (often referred to as simply The Gift) is a soundtrack album created by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé from Disney's 2019 photorealistic computer-generated imagery remake of The Lion King[3][4][5] and for Black Is King (2020). It was released on July 19, 2019, by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records.[1] The album was also produced by Beyoncé and features artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, Yemi Alade, Busiswa, Moonchild Sanelly, and Salatiel, as well as appearances from Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter, Childish Gambino, Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Tierra Whack, 070 Shake, and Jessie Reyez, among others.[6][7]
The Lion King: The Gift | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Standard edition cover. Deluxe edition features a golden background. | ||||
Soundtrack album by Beyoncé and various artists | ||||
Released | July 19, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Studio | NRG Recording | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 54:00 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | ||||
Beyoncé chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The Lion King: The Gift | ||||
|
Background and release
editOn July 9, 2019, it was revealed that Beyoncé produced and curated an album titled The Lion King: The Gift, which features new songs inspired by the film, as well as "Spirit" from the soundtrack.[8]
Beyoncé called the album "sonic cinema" and said that the film "is a new experience of storytelling", and that the album "is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop, gqom and afrobeats".[8][9] Beyoncé also said that "[she] wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline" and that the songs were inspired by the remake's storyline, which "gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation".[8] The songs were also produced by African producers, which Beyoncé said was because "authenticity and heart were important to [her]", since the film is set in Africa.[8]
The tracklist was revealed through Beyoncé's official website on July 16, 2019.[10]
On September 16, 2019, Beyoncé released a behind-the-scenes TV special, titled Beyoncé Presents: Making the Gift, documenting the album's creation and her journey through Africa, shot in Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and United States.[11] The documentary was aired on ABC.[12][13] It was written, directed and produced by Beyoncé alongside co-director Ed Burke, with executive producers Steve Pamon and Erinn Williams.[14]
Critical reception
editAggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 77/100[15] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [16] |
Consequence of Sound | B−[17] |
The Daily Telegraph | [18] |
Entertainment Weekly | B−[19] |
The Guardian | [20] |
HipHopDX | 4.3/5[21] |
NME | [22] |
Pitchfork | 7.3/10[23] |
Rolling Stone | [24] |
Variety | 8.4/10[25] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received a weighted average score of 77, based on 13 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15]
Writing for AllMusic, Neil Z. Yeung describes the album as "a buoyant hybrid of futuristic, cross-Atlantic Afro-pop", adding that the "expertly curated collection is an artistic showcase celebrating Africa and black musical traditions, elevating the movie experience with strategic thematic interludes that could help this album endure far longer than the film."[26] The Lion King: The Gift was chosen as The New York Times's Critic's Pick, with Jon Pareles writing that "Beyoncé flexes both her musicianship and her cultural leverage... It's her latest lesson in commandeering mass-market expectations, as she bends The Lion King to her own agenda of African-diaspora unity, self-worth, parental responsibility and righteous ambition."[9] A.D. Amorosi for Variety praises the album as "a wild, wonderful offering dedicated to sounds and soul of the motherland", calling it an "offering to the idea of bringing connection to those who never realized such was possible, maintaining heritage in the face of aborted and abbreviated histories".[27]
Describing it as an album "that ably displays [Beyoncé's] excellent taste, rather than a great Beyoncé album per se," Alexis Petridis of The Guardian writes that The Lion King: The Gift gives "the dominant Afrobeats sound a vast new level of exposure – an impressive feat in itself".[28] "Beyoncé's Lion King album is the event the movie wishes it could be," writes Carl Wilson of Slate, arguing that The Gift "works best if you forget the remake even exists" and encouraging listeners to "take it more as a (mildly) new perspective on Beyoncé" since thematically the album "transliterates the leonine royal-family drama and 'circle of life' worldview of [the movie] into the recent main leitmotif of Beyoncé's own work."[29] "An ambitious companion album that says more than the movie does about family and tradition and responsibility and Africa", writes Mikael Wood of Los Angeles Times. "No one takes possession of a cultural space like Beyoncé. We saw it happen in 2016 when she easily outshone Coldplay during its own Super Bowl halftime performance. We saw it happen last year when she remade the world's most prestigious music festival as Beychella. Now we’re seeing it again with Disney's new version of The Lion King".[30]
Michelle Kim for Pitchfork opines that the album "succeeds in introducing a whole new musical universe to the average American listener".[31] Writing for The Telegraph, Neil McCormick says, "The Gift is a quixotic compilation of tracks", calling the album a "tipping point" for African artists worldwide.[32] Bernadette Giacomazzo of HipHopDX also praised the album, saying that the album "trips the black fantastic" and that many songs were capable of standing independent of the film. Drawing comparisons to the Black Panther soundtrack "down to the Kendrick Lamar appearance," Giacomazzo says that the album is "one of the first Beyoncé albums—such as it were—in which Mrs. Carter's creativity serves as a vector to another creative vision, rather than as the creative vision itself. Overall, it works and is another jewel in her crown — one that she, overall, can be proud to call hers".[33]
Accolades
editAt the 2019 Soul Train Music Awards, "Spirit" was nominated for Best Video of the Year and Best Dance Performance, while "Brown Skin Girl" was nominated for Best Collaboration and The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award, winning the latter.[34] The Lion King: The Gift was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards while "Spirit" received two nominations: for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Song Written for Visual Media. "Brown Skin Girl" went on to win in the Best Music Video category at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[35]
Vibe included The Gift on their list of the 30 best albums of 2019,[36] while The Fader also included the release on their selections of the best albums of the same year.[37] Both City Pages and Fuse included The Gift on their lists of the best albums of 2019,[38][39] while Brooklyn Vegan listed the soundtrack at number 22 on their ranking of the best rap and R&B albums of the same year.[40] In December 2020, PopMatters named The Lion King: The Gift (Deluxe Edition) the 9th best pop album of 2020.[41]
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | 62nd Annual Grammy Awards | Best Pop Vocal Album | Nominated | [42] |
NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album | Won | [43] | |
2021 | 63rd Annual Grammy Awards | Best Music Film | Nominated | [44] |
Commercial performance
editThe Lion King: The Gift debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 54,000 album-equivalent units, of which 11,000 were pure album sales.[45]
It became Beyoncé's second top 10 debut of 2019 (following Homecoming: The Live Album) and third top 10 album of 2019 (after Lemonade re-entered the Billboard 200 chart following its wide streaming release). It is also the ninth top 10 album of Beyoncé's solo career.[46]
On the Billboard genre charts, The Lion King: The Gift debuted at number one on several charts including Top R&B Albums, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Soundtrack Albums and Top World Albums. It became Beyoncé's seventh number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart as a solo artist.[47][48]
Following the release of Black Is King in July 2020, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 at number ten.[49]
Legacy
editAfrican musicians and producers who worked on The Lion King: The Gift, amongst others, have spoken about the impact they predict the album will have on African music in the United States. Ghanaian producer GuiltyBeatz said "Now that Beyoncé released a whole album [of African music], this will open the gateway" for those sounds to enter the American market; Nigerian singer Yemi Alade added that the album will be "another awakening".[50] Nigerian producer P2J described how the album is "going to change the face of music", adding that "Brown Skin Girl" is "one of the first songs in my career that I thought was going to be very special... It's a big moment for Africa."[51] South African artist DJ Lag said that the album has "opened doors" for him and that the sound of The Lion King: The Gift is "going to be the next big thing."[52] Bloomberg's Anthony Osae-Brown stated that with The Lion King: The Gift, Beyoncé is taking the "Nigeria music scene global".[53] Director of Urban Music at YouTube Tuma Basa called the release of The Lion King: The Gift "a tipping-point moment", while Nigerian producer E-Kelly said that it "is gonna create a new awareness" and "open a big crack" for Afrobeats to enter American mainstream music.[54]
The track "Brown Skin Girl" inspired a viral trend called "#brownskingirlchallenge", where black women and girls post pictures and videos of themselves in celebration of their skin,[55][56] as well as people encouraging their young family members to be proud of their skin.[57][58] Celebrities including Ava DuVernay, Barbara Lee, Gabrielle Union and Lupita Nyong'o participated in the trend.[59] Several thinkpieces and articles were also produced in response to "Brown Skin Girl".[60][61][62]
Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift
editOn September 15, 2019, it was announced a documentary chronicling the development, production and filming of The Lion King: The Gift, entitled Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift, would air on ABC September 16.[63] A trailer was released the same day to promote the documentary.[64] Airing nearly two months after the release of the album, Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift was met with a viewership of 2.49 million and "dominated" that night's ratings.[65]
Black Is King
editBlack Is King, A musical film and visual album based on the music of The Gift, was released on July 31, 2020 on Disney+. The film – directed, written, and executive produced by Beyoncé – tells the story of a young African prince who is exiled from his kingdom after the death of his father. As he grows up into a man, the prince undergoes a journey of self-identity, using the guidance of his ancestor, childhood love and his own subconscious to reclaim his throne. The prince's journey acts as an allegory for the African diaspora's journey of discovering, reclaiming and celebrating their culture and heritage, which is echoed by the inclusion of spoken-word poetry in the film that focuses on the question of black identity.
Black Is King was in production for over a year and was filmed across three continents. Beyoncé wanted to recruit a diverse cast and crew and to provide opportunities for new talent. The film's music, dances, costumes, hairstyles and sets were designed to showcase the beauty and richness of the cultures in the African continent and diaspora.
The film received universal acclaim from critics, with praise for Beyoncé's direction, the cinematography, score, costume design, subject matter, and cultural themes. At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, Black Is King was nominated for Best Music Film, while the "Brown Skin Girl" video was nominated for Best Music Video.
Deluxe edition
editOn July 31, 2020, alongside the release of Black Is King, Beyoncé released a deluxe edition of the album. The album includes all the tracks included in the film in addition to three new tracks. This includes the standard and extended versions of "Black Parade", which was released on June 19; the extended version of the song was only available on Tidal up until the album's release. The other track included is a remix of "Find Your Way Back" by MeLo-X.
Track listing
editCredits adapted from Beyoncé's website.[66] All tracks were produced by Beyoncé and Derek Dixie, except where noted.
Standard Edition
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Balance (Mufasa Interlude)" (James Earl Jones) | Jeff Nathanson | 0:43 | |
2. | "Bigger" (Beyoncé) |
| 3:46 | |
3. | "The Stars (Mufasa Interlude)" (James Earl Jones) | Nathanson | 0:46 | |
4. | "Find Your Way Back" (Beyoncé) |
| 2:42 | |
5. | "Uncle Scar (Scar Interlude)" (performed by Chiwetel Ejiofor) | Nathanson | 0:13 | |
6. | "Don't Jealous Me" (Tekno, Lord Afrixana,[67] Yemi Alade and Mr Eazi) |
| 2:35 | |
7. | "Danger (Young Simba & Young Nala Interlude)" (JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph) | Nathanson | 0:16 | |
8. | "Ja Ara E" (Burna Boy) |
|
| 3:10 |
9. | "Run Away (Scar & Young Simba Interlude)" (JD McCrary and Chiwetel Ejiofor) | Nathanson | 0:29 | |
10. | "Nile" (Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar) |
| 1:47 | |
11. | "New Lesson (Timon, Pumbaa & Young Simba Interlude)" (Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen and JD McCrary) | Nathanson | 0:53 | |
12. | "Mood 4 Eva" (Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Childish Gambino featuring Oumou Sangaré) |
|
| 4:32 |
13. | "Reunited (Nala & Simba Interlude)" (Beyoncé and Donald Glover) | Nathanson | 0:09 | |
14. | "Water" (Salatiel, Pharrell and Beyoncé) |
|
| 2:32 |
15. | "Brown Skin Girl" (Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Saint Jhn and Wizkid) |
|
| 4:08 |
16. | "Come Home (Nala Interlude)" (Beyonce) | Nathanson | 0:14 | |
17. | "Keys to the Kingdom" (Tiwa Savage and Mr Eazi) |
|
| 3:18 |
18. | "Follow Me (Rafiki Interlude)" (Donald Glover and John Kani) | Nathanson | 0:31 | |
19. | "Already" (Beyoncé, Shatta Wale and Major Lazer) |
| 3:42 | |
20. | "Remember (Mufasa Interlude)" (James Earl Jones) | Nathanson | 0:45 | |
21. | "Otherside" (Beyoncé) |
| 3:39 | |
22. | "War (Nala Interlude)" (Beyoncé) | Nathanson | 0:18 | |
23. | "My Power" (Beyoncé, Nija, Busiswa, Yemi Alade, Tierra Whack, Moonchild Sanelly and DJ Lag) |
|
| 4:19 |
24. | "Surrender (Simba & Scar Interlude)" (Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor) | Nathanson | 0:14 | |
25. | "Scar" (070 Shake and Jessie Reyez) |
| 3:06 | |
26. | "I'm Home (Mufasa, Sarabi & Simba Interlude)" (performed by James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard and Donald Glover) | Nathanson | 0:43 | |
27. | "Spirit" (performed by Beyoncé) | 4:33 | ||
Total length: | 54:00 |
Deluxe Edition
editNo. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Bigger" (performed by Beyoncé) |
|
| 3:46 | |
2. | "Find Your Way Back" (performed by Beyoncé) |
|
| 2:42 | |
3. | "Don't Jealous Me" (performed by Tekno, Lord Afrixana,[67] Yemi Alade and Mr Eazi) |
|
|
| 2:36 |
4. | "Ja Ara E" (performed by Burna Boy) | Damini Ogulu | Richard Isong |
| 3:10 |
5. | "Nile" (performed by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar) |
|
| 1:47 | |
6. | "Mood 4 Eva" (performed by Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Childish Gambino featuring Oumou Sangaré) |
|
|
| 4:32 |
7. | "Water" (performed by Salatiel, Pharrell and Beyoncé) |
| Richard Isong |
| 2:33 |
8. | "Brown Skin Girl" (performed by Beyoncé, Saint Jhn and Wizkid featuring Blue Ivy Carter) |
|
|
| 4:08 |
9. | "Keys to the Kingdom" (performed by Tiwa Savage and Mr Eazi) |
|
|
| 3:19 |
10. | "Already" (performed by Beyoncé, Shatta Wale and Major Lazer) |
|
| 3:43 | |
11. | "Otherside" (performed by Beyoncé) |
|
| 3:40 | |
12. | "My Power" (performed by Beyoncé, Nija, Busiswa, Yemi Alade, Tierra Whack, Moonchild Sanelly and DJ Lag) |
|
|
| 4:20 |
13. | "Scar" (performed by 070 Shake and Jessie Reyez) |
| 3:07 | ||
14. | "Spirit" (performed by Beyoncé) |
|
| 4:37 | |
15. | "Black Parade" (extended version; performed by Beyoncé) |
|
|
| 5:16 |
16. | "Find Your Way Back" (MeLo-X remix; performed by Beyoncé) |
|
| MeLo-X | 3:36 |
17. | "Black Parade" (performed by Beyoncé) |
|
|
| 4:41 |
Total length: | 61:33 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies a co-producer
- ^[b] signifies an additional producer
- ^[c] signifies an uncredited additional producer
- ^[d] signifies a producer credited on the extended version of the song
- All song titles are stylized in all caps
- All interlude titles are stylized in all lowercase
- "Bigger" features vocals by Raye
- "Spirit" features background vocals by Labrinth, Ilya, Jamal Moore, Maurice Smith, J Rome, Derrick Charles, DeP, George Young, Vernon Burris, TJ Wilkins, Andre Washington, Mabvuto Carpenter, Jason Morales, Johnny Gilmore, Stevie Notes, Marcus Eldridge, Edward Lawson, and Steve Epting
Sample credits
edit- "Find Your Way Back" contains elements of "Maradona", written by Sarz and performed by Niniola.
- "Mood 4 Eva" contains elements of "Diaraby Nene" written and performed by Oumou Sangaré; contains an interpolation of "Sweet Green Fields" written by Jimmy Seals; contains an interpolation of "(Think) About It" written by James Brown.
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Beyoncé's official website.[69]
Musicians
edit- Beyoncé – vocals
- String section (tracks 1, 2)
- Adrienne Woods, Bianca McClure, Chelsea Stevens, Crystal Alforque, Jonathan Richards, Marta Honer, Rhea Hosanny, Stephanie Matthews, Stephanie Yu, Tahirah Whittington
- Pino Palladino – bass (track 15)
- Courtney Leonard – bass (track 17)
- Rod Castro – guitar (track 2, 16, 17)
- Ari PenSmith – keyboards (track 25)
- Derek Dixie – drums (track 27)
- Ilya – drums, keyboards, percussion (track 27)
- Labrinth – drums, keyboards, percussion (track 27)
- Jeremy Lertola – percussion (track 27)
- Jeff Lorber – piano (track 27)
- David Fleming – strings (track 27)
Production
edit- Beyoncé – executive producer
- Kwasi Fordjour – creative director
- Derek Dixie – music director
- Big Jon Platt – A&R executive
- Teresa LaBarbera Whites – A&R executive
- Steven "Steve-O" Carless – A&R executive
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[101] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[102] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format | Edition | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | July 19, 2019 | Standard | [66] | ||
July 31, 2020 | Deluxe | [68] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Beyoncé Produces And Performs On Multi-Artist Album "The Lion King: The Gift"". PR Newswire. July 9, 2019. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ "Top 40/R Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Giorgis, Hannah (July 19, 2019). "The Blind Spot of Beyoncé's Lion King Soundtrack". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ Nolfi, Joey (July 19, 2019). "Listen to Beyoncé's Lion King: The Gift album featuring Jay-Z, Pharrell, more". EW. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ McCarthy, Kelly (July 16, 2019). "Beyoncé explains how she created a new music genre for 'The Lion King' album". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
- ^ "Stream Beyoncé's 'The Lion King: The Gift' Album f/ JAY-Z, Kendrick, Childish Gambino, and More". Complex. July 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- ^ Eaglin, Maya (July 19, 2019). "Beyoncé Enlists Hip-Hop A-List And Global Artists For 'The Lion King: The Gift'". NPR. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Strauss, Matthew (July 9, 2019). "Beyoncé Releasing New Song "Spirit" Tonight, Curates Lion King Album". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ a b Pareles, Jon (July 24, 2019). "Beyoncé Reimagines 'The Lion King' as Global 21st-Century Pop". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ "The Lion King: The Gift". beyonce.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ "Watch "Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift" | ABC Updates". ABC. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel. "Beyonce Announces 'Making the Gift' TV Special". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (September 15, 2019). "Watch Beyoncé's Making the Gift Special". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ Nickolai, Nate (September 15, 2019). "ABC Announces Behind-the-Scenes Special for Beyoncé's 'Lion King' LP". Variety. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ a b "The Lion King: The Gift by Beyoncé Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. (April 17, 2019). "The Lion King: The Gift – Beyoncé | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
- ^ Graves, Wren (July 23, 2019). "Beyoncé, Disney, and a Pack of Guests Struggle to Find Balance on The Lion King: The Gift". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ McCormick, Neil (July 19, 2019). "Beyoncé, The Lion King: The Gift, review – All hail the lion queen". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Josephs, Brian. "Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift tries to do a bit too much". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (July 19, 2019). "Beyoncé: The Lion King: The Gift review – superstar shows impeccable taste". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Giacomazzo, Bernadette (July 25, 2019). "Review: Beyoncé's "The Lion King: The Gift" Album Pads Her Legacy". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- ^ Balram, Dhruva (July 22, 2019). "Beyoncé – 'Lion King: The Gift' review". NME. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Kim, Michelle. "Various Artists The Lion King: The Gift". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Schwartz, Danny. "'The Lion King: The Gift' is Beyonce's Love Letter to Blackness". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
- ^ Amorosi, A. D. (July 19, 2019). "Album Review: Beyoncé's 'The Lion King: The Gift'". Variety. United States. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ The Lion King: The Gift – Beyoncé | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, archived from the original on October 17, 2019, retrieved July 9, 2020
- ^ Amorosi, A. D. (July 19, 2019). "Album Review: Beyoncé's 'The Lion King: The Gift'". Variety. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (July 19, 2019). "Beyoncé: The Lion King: The Gift review – superstar shows impeccable taste". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ Wilson, Carl (July 19, 2019). "Beyonce's The Lion King: The Gift review: New album is way better than the new movie". Slate. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (July 21, 2019). "Beyonce's musical genius propels 'The Lion King: The Gift' soundtrack – Los Angeles Times". latimes.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ "Various Artists: The Lion King: The Gift". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ McCormick, Neil (July 19, 2019). "Beyoncé, The Lion King: The Gift, review – All hail the lion queen". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ "Review: Beyoncé's "The Lion King: The Gift" Album Pads Her Legacy". HipHopDX. July 25, 2019. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "Chris Brown, Drake, Beyoncé and Lizzo Top Nominees For 2019 Soul Train Awards: Exclusive". Billboard. October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- ^ "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List". Grammys. November 20, 2019. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "The 30 Best Albums of 2019". Vibe. December 22, 2019. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- ^ "The best albums of 2019". The Fader. December 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- ^ "The 75 Best Albums of 2019". City Pages. January 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ "V". Fuse. December 24, 2019. Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ "The 30 Best Rap and R&B Albums of 2019". Brooklyn Vegan. December 26, 2019. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ "9. Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift [Deluxe Edition] [Parkwood/Columbia]". PopMatters. December 11, 2020. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ NPR Staff (January 26, 2020). "2020 Grammy Awards: The Full List Of Winners". NPR. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ NAACP Staff (February 22, 2020). "51st NAACP Image Awards". NAACP Image Awards. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ Willman, Chris (November 24, 2020). "Grammy Awards Nominations 2021: The Complete List". Variety. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (July 28, 2019). "Ed Sheeran's 'No. 6' Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart, Beyoncé & Nas Bow in Top 10". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (July 28, 2019). "Beyoncé Nets Third Top 10 Album of 2019 As 'The Lion King: The Gift' Debuts at No. 2 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (July 30, 2019). "A Trio of 'Lion King' Albums Crowd Top 10 on Soundtracks Chart, Led by Beyoncé's 'Gift'". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ Anderson, Trevor (July 31, 2019). "'The Lion King: The Gift' Gives Beyoncé Seventh No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ @billboardcharts (August 9, 2020). ".@Beyonce's 'Lion King: The Gift' soundtrack re-enters this week's #Billboard200 chart at No. 10, following the premiere of 'Black Is King' on @disneyplus" (Tweet). Retrieved August 10, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Leight, Elias (July 19, 2019). "Inside Beyoncé's Bold Bet to Get Americans to Listen to African Music". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "How Afrobeats Is Influencing American Pop Music, According to Producer P2J". Complex. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "DJ Lag Talks Being Recruited by Beyonce for 'Lion King: The Gift' Album & Taking South African Music Worldwide". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Beyonce and 'Lion King' About to Take Nigeria Music Scene Global". Bloomberg.com. July 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Leight, Elias (July 16, 2019). "Beyoncé's 'Lion King: The Gift' Suggests a New Direction — and a New Challenge". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Beyoncé & Blue Ivy Spark #BrownSkinGirlChallenge With 'Lion King'-Inspired Song". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Carter, Terry (July 21, 2019). "Thank You To Beyoncé And Blue Ivy For The Viral #BrownSkinGirl Challenge". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "The Jackson Family on Instagram: "My beautiful brown skin girl; I'll never trade you for anybody else😍❤️ #Affirmation #SelfLove #Motherhood #GirlMom #Beyonce #BrownSkinGirl"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ This 6-year-old boy singing "Brown Skin... - Because of Them We Can by Eunique Jones | Facebook, archived from the original on September 24, 2019, retrieved August 11, 2019
- ^ Hastings, Christobel (July 23, 2019). "#BrownSkinGirlChallenge: All the best celebrity responses". Stylist. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Amanda Mitchell (July 29, 2019). "Why Oprah is Rejoicing Thanks to Beyonce and Blue Ivy's Song "Brown Skin Girl"". Oprah Magazine. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Beyoncé's "Brown Skin Girl" Is Not for Every Brown-Skinned Girl". Teen Vogue. July 23, 2019. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Cubit, Brea (July 21, 2019). "Why Beyoncé's "Brown Skin Girl" Made Me Burst Into Tears". POPSUGAR Entertainment UK. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ @ABCNetwork (September 15, 2019). "ABeyC activated. @Beyonce Presents: #MakingTheGift. Tomorrow" (Tweet). Retrieved July 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Tomorrow on ABC – Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift". YouTube. August 15, 2019. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- ^ "Beyonce's 'Making the Gift' ABC Special a Ratings Winner". That Grape Juice. August 17, 2019. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- ^ a b "Beyoncé: THE LION KING: THE GIFT (2019)". Beyonce.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "Beyoncé: THE LION KING: THE GIFT: Credits: THE LION KING: THE GIFT". Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- ^ a b "Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift [Deluxe Edition]". Apple Music. July 31, 2020. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "Beyoncé: THE LION KING THE GIFT (2019)". Beyonce.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 30. nedēļa" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
- ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. July 26, 2019. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100 Albumes – Semana 32: del 31 July 2020 al 6.8.2020" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "Official Compilations Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "Beyoncé Chart History: Kid Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Soundtrack Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "Beyonce Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2019". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ^ "Kid Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Top Soundtrack Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ "World Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Kid Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Soundtracks – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
- ^ "World Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Soundtracks – Year-End 2021". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Danish album certifications – Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "British album certifications – Beyonce & Various Artists – The Lion King: The Gift". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 29, 2023.