The Lion King: The Gift
Beyoncé · 2019
54 min · 27 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant tapestry of African rhythms and contemporary sounds, celebrating heritage while merging pop and R&B sensibilities.
Top tracks — play these first
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BIGGER Start here — This track embodies the overarching theme of empowerment and self-identity, utilizing powerful vocals and anthemic instrumentation to inspire listeners.
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BROWN SKIN GIRL — A poignant tribute to Black womanhood, this song features uplifting lyrics celebrating beauty and strength, resonating deeply within the context of global social movements.
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ALREADY — With its infectious blend of Afrobeat rhythms and danceable energy, this track captures the spirit of unity and resilience, reflecting the album's cultural roots.
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SPIRIT — As a lead single from the album, this track showcases Beyoncé's vocal prowess while delivering a message of hope and connection to one's heritage.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends African influences with contemporary sounds, creating a distinct and engaging experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate traditional African instruments and rhythms, blending them with contemporary R&B and pop elements.
- The sequencing alternates between upbeat anthems and more introspective songs, maintaining listener engagement while exploring various themes of identity and heritage.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- celebratory anthems for gatherings
- vibrant rhythms that uplift
- short interludes enhancing storytelling
- empowering themes of identity
- reflective moments amidst energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward single tracks
- seek minimalistic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Merges African rhythms with pop/R&B, showcasing a distinct cultural celebration.
- Themes
- African cultural pride· Black girlhood celebration· heritage empowerment
- Career context
- Released in July 2019, The Lion King: The Gift arrives during a transformative period in Beyoncé's career, following her critically acclaimed Coachella performance in 2018. This album serves as a companion to Disney's live-action remake of The Lion King, further solidifying her role as a cultural icon and creative force beyond traditional music boundaries.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Janelle Monáe· Alicia Keys· Rihanna
Tracklist
- 1 balance (mufasa interlude) 0:43
- 2 BIGGER Start here 3:46
- 3 the stars (mufasa interlude) 0:46
- 4 FIND YOUR WAY BACK 2:42
- 5 uncle scar (scar interlude) 0:13
- 6 DON’T JEALOUS ME 2:35
- 7 danger (young simba & young nala interlude) 0:16
- 8 JA ARA E 3:10
- 9 run away (scar & young simba interlude) 0:29
- 10 NILE 1:47
- 11 new lesson (timon, pumbaa & young simba interlude) 0:53
- 12 MOOD 4 EVA 4:32
- 13 reunited (nala & simba interlude) 0:08
- 14 WATER 2:32
- 15 BROWN SKIN GIRL 4:08
- 16 come home (nala interlude) 0:14
- 17 KEYS TO THE KINGDOM 3:18
- 18 follow me (Rafiki interlude) 0:31
- 19 ALREADY 3:42
- 20 remember (mufasa interlude) 0:45
- 21 OTHERSIDE 3:39
- 22 war (nala interlude) 0:18
- 23 MY POWER 4:19
- 24 surrender (simba & scar interlude) 0:14
- 25 SCAR 3:06
- 26 i’m home (mufasa, sarabi & simba interlude) 0:42
- 27 SPIRIT 4:37
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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