Beyoncé co-stars in Disney‘s remake of The Lion King, out this week, as the voice of Nala. The superstar singer has also curated a companion album to go with the official soundtrack, titled The Lion King: The Gift. Today the full track list was revealed and features Childish Gambino, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell, along with a long list of up-and-coming artists as well as many African rap and pop stars. Beyoncé herself is credited on nine of the 14 tracks (including the single “Spirit”).
Following the release of “Spirit” last week, she said in a statement, “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 added. “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.”
Additionally, Beyoncé earned six Emmy nominations today for her Netflix concert special Homecoming. The special, which documented her 2018 Coachella performance, is up for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special; Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, Outstanding Music Direction; Outstanding Production Design for Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Programming; Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded); and Outstanding Costumes for Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Programming.
The Lion King: The Gift will be released this Friday. The 71st annual Emmy Awards will be handed out Sunday, September 22.
