Beyonce’s Black Is King Soundtrack: Every Song In The Disney+ Movie, Ranked

Starring the iconic and multi-talented Beyoncé, Black Is King offers a cinematic experience that doesn’t disappoint with its music and choreography. The production contains 14 tracks — and some songs in the Disney+ film are stand-out productions.

In Black Is King, Beyoncé engages with “today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns.” The film parallels the storyline of the 2019 remake The Lion King, and was filmed in numerous countries. Beyoncé is indeed the main attraction, yet Black Is King focuses on the human experience and what connects people of different backgrounds and complexions.

Overall, Black Is King has pop culture appeal with its featured guests and cinematic polish; however, it’s the music that grounds the narrative. The following is every song in Disney+’s Black Is King, and how the visuals relate to the lyrics.

14. “Nile”

An inspirational track, “Nile” celebrates womanhood and the Black experience, but it’s not quite the party-starter that Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar fans may have been expecting. Visually, the white-grey color palette adds a surrealistic effect, and the track itself emphasizes the refrain “I’m in the Nile, deep in denial.” As a set-up song, “Nile” creates a specific mood, as Black Is King transitions into the standout production “Mood 4 Eva,” featuring Bey’s husband, Jay-Z.

13. “Scar”

“Scar” is another moody, atmospheric tone-setter. For most Disney+ viewers, the highlight may be the visuals featuring Canadian artist Jessie Reyez, who provides a spooky performance in the woods via a distorted audio effect. Lyrically, “Scar” is a potent warning song, but unfortunately fades away too quickly. There’s a “Thriller” element to this particular Black Is King production, which suggests that it could potentially be developed into an official music video. Within the Disney+ film, though, it’s just another passing moment, memorable as it may be.

12. “Bigger”

“Bigger” establishes the stakes for Black Is King, as narration from Mufasa cites human connections and “the great circle of life,” while Beyoncé takes center stage with a young King before rolling waves. Not only is this song an anthem for mothers all over the world, but also a reminder to younger people that legacy matters, and that patience especially matters. Wide shots show just how small one individual is in the world, and close ups of a mother and child complement the lyrical intimacy. “I’ll be your sanctuary, you just don’t know it yet,” Beyoncé sings before repeating herself. “Bigger” will likely be popular amongst older Disney+ viewers, or at least amongst anyone with children to look after.

11. “Find Your Way Back”

“Find Your Way Back” initially spotlights Beyoncé’s star power and slowly reveals it African influences, both lyrically and aesthetically. The song itself is catchy with its titular message, and the image of the focal artist before a giant moon is one of Black Is King’s strongest visuals, and there are indeed plenty. As a standalone track, “Find Your Way Back” most definitely isn’t a traditional banger; but, within the Disney+ film, it’s a strong follow-up to the opener, “Bigger.”

10. “Keys To The Kingdom”

Featuring some major island vibes, “Keys to the Kingdom” provides a huge platform for Tiwa Savage and Mr Eazy, both of whom fill in for Beyoncé and keep the narrative moving along. Visually, it’s a day-in-the-life sequence for the Disney+ film, and the lyrics are just repetitive enough to keep the audience bouncing to the beat. “Keys to the Kingdom” is more accessible than some of the early set-up tracks, and provides a welcomed change of pace for movie’s narrative.

9. “Ja Ara E”

Black Is King drops a heavy dose of culture via this hypnotic track with a titular message that reportedly translates to “wise up.” Once again, Beyoncé takes a backseat to spotlight the featured artists, and the overall visual feel of “Ja Era E” creates a distinct late-night feel. Even if one doesn’t fully understand the lyrics, the imagery can help fill in the gaps. As a whole, the blue and purple color palette creates a warm feeling, allowing the audience (or listeners) to immerse themselves in the mood of it all.

8. “Water”

Musically, “Water” aligns with so many of Beyoncé’s fast-paced hits, whether it’s a solo artist or as a member of Destiny’s Child. The inclusion of Pharrell Williams suggests the song will truly have universal appeal, and lyrics like “we can dance to the rhythm” provide a universal message to complement the fluid title. Visually, Beyoncé showcases her stylistic and cultural influences, and there’s an overall bounce to the song that essentially makes it a hype track for the inspirational follow-up anthem, “Brown Skinned Girl.”

7. “Spirit”

Black Is King ends with an ode to past generations. “Spirit” allows Beyoncé to showcase her vocal range, and a full gospel choir adds an epic quality to correlate with the The Lion King premise. The song progressively builds, both sonically and visually, as Beyoncé incorporates outdoor choreography sequences that captures a sense of unity and universal connections. “Spirit” is a timeless track, one that ends with a final visual reveal that poignantly brings the narrative full circle.

6. “Otherside”

An introspective Black Is King song, “Otherside” plays out like a lullaby in which Beyoncé anticipates a separation or even death. In relation to The Lion King, the lyrics captures the uncertainties that come with saying goodbye in a dangerous world. And in relation to modern culture, “Otherside” links to everyday insecurities that people feel during the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a sense of sorrow to this particular track, but it’s ultimately about loyalty and ensuring a loved one that they’ll never be alone.

5. “Don’t Jealous Me”

In this grimy track, Tekno creates a big mood with his vocal incantations, and Yemi Alade takes the lead, visually, with a spectacular dance performance. Meanwhile, Beyoncé stands in the background with a snake, looming over the entire production. Lyrically, “Don’t Jealous Me” includes proverbial messages like “Sheep don’t run with lion, snake don’t swing with monkey” and solidifies the film’s primary conflict for Simba. On a visual level, the Black Is King song pinpoints the realities faced by the focal young lion. When combined with the follow-up track “Fear,” “Don’t Jealous Me” suggests that underworld figures are always watching.

4. “My Power’

Arguably the most mainstream song from Black Is King, “My Power” has an infectious chorus and ensemble group of featured guests that hype up Beyoncé’s declaration that “This that war / this that bloodline / On the frontline, ready for war.” Within the Disney+ film, there’s an ’80-style filter effect and a symmetrical design that makes it feel like a proper music video. Beyoncé herself only appears briefly, but she gets down with a heavy-duty fireworks performance that anchors Black Is King’s final act.

3. “Already”

Another song that immediately feels like #1 Beyoncé single, “Already” initially pops in Black Is King due the Vogue-like character posing and high-art visual feel. The melodic wordplay and repetitive phrasing seemingly references modern hip-hop trends, while various insert images shift the emphasis to male Kings of all ages. It’s the perfect balance of urban and chic, a motivational track with sharp lyricism from featured guest Shatta Walle.

2. “Brown Skinned Girl”

“Brown Skinned Girl” boasts the most pop culture power in Black Is King, due to cameos from Kelly Rowland, Naomi Campbell, and Lupita Nyong’o. Vocals from Wizkid establish the celebratory and universal premise for brown-skinned girls everywhere, and the song becomes even more impactful when considering the inclusion of Beyoncé’s daughter, Blue Ivy. There’s a playful quality within the film itself, as the focal artist reunites with various friends. However, it’s the lyrical depth that makes “Brown Skinned Girl” a standout song. As Beyoncé states, “There’s complexities in complexion.”

1. “Mood 4 Eva”

With “Mood 4 Eva,” Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z capture the spirit of Black Is King and harness the collective energy for a relatable vibe. Of course, the featured guest isn’t just merely a popular hip-hop artist, but rather one of the most acclaimed lyricists of all time, and that confidence shines through in the Disney+ film. Musically, “Mood 4 Eva” calls back to so many of the couple’s most beloved collaborations, and the visual aesthetic reminds audiences that Bey and Jay are indeed a real-life power couple with true clout. As the frosting on top of the cake, there are cinematic references to the 1988 Eddie Murphy film Coming to America (see Beyoncé’s toothbrush moment).

About The Author

Q.V. Hough
(1892 Articles Published)

Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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