On June 29th, Beyonce released a trailer for Black is King, which is the visual album based on the Gift, the album released to accompany Disney’s 2019 Lion King remake. The film, like the album, will feature several African artists and will weave together influences and traditions from across the continent. According to Beyoncé, it is her “passion project” that is “meant to celebrate the breadth and beauty of Black ancestry”. What could be the problem?

There has been significant backlash online from those on the continent that feel as though Beyoncé’s latest work falls within a long line of Western media depicting Africa as a homogenous entity. Historically, Beyoncé hasn’t toured Africa on her “World tours” and at the time of this recording, Disney+ was not available on the continent to see “Black is King” (this has since been changed and those on the continent will be able to screen the movie). This alleged flattening of a continent that has 54 countries and multiple cultures into some idealized version where all Black people were “Kings and Queens” calls into question ideas around celebrity worship, cultural appropriation, and Black American privilege in the global diaspora.

Helping piece through this nuanced conversation, I’m joined by Paulah Wheeler, a public health professional and co-founder of BLKHLTH, who has done extensive work globally with a concentrated effort throughout the continent of Africa. She is also a card-carrying member of the Beyhive. The discussion was insightful and delightful and I think there’s a lot to be gained from this ongoing conversation. Hope you enjoy it!