Here’s a surprise we need during these trying times. Beyoncé just released an epic trailer to her upcoming visual album, Black Is King, set to be released on Disney+. Watch the new trailer, plus deets on Bey donating PPE supplies to Cleveland inside….

Beyoncé loves a good surprise.

After weeks of rumors about Beyoncé inking a $100 million deal with Disney, a new project created by Mrs. Carter and Disney + has just been announced.

Black Is King is a new visual project/album set to drop July 31st on Disney+. The new visual album comes a year after Bey was featured in Disney’s The Lion King in which she voiced Nala. Black Is King is based on the music of The Lion King: The Gift, which is the official soundtrack of the Disney reboot.

Black Is King was written, directed and executive produced by Bey and it will feature the soundtrack’s featured artists as well as special guests. The pro-black project will boast features from Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, 070 Shake, Tierra Whack, Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter and Jessie Reyez, as well as African artists including Wizkid, Shatta Wale, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, Yemi Alade, Busiswa and Salatiel.

"Black Is King is a celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience,” Disney and Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment said in a statement to Variety. “The film is a story for the ages that informs and rebuilds the present. A reunion of cultures and shared generational beliefs. A story of how the people left most broken have an extraordinary gift and a purposeful future.”

According to the companies, Beyoncé’s visual album reimagines lessons of “The Lion King” for “today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns.” The film was in production for one year with a cast and crew that represent “diversity and connectivity.”

BLACK IS KING — A Film by Beyoncé.

July 31st on @disneyplus. pic.twitter.com/9DNwZEHRo2

— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion) June 28, 2020

"Black Is King pays tribute to voyages of Black families throughout time. The visual album tells the story of a young king’s “transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity.” His ancestors help guide him toward his destiny, and with his father’s teachings and guidance from his childhood love, he earns the virtues needed to reclaim his home and throne.

“These timeless lessons are revealed and reflected through Black voices of today, now sitting in their own power,” according to the announcement. “‘Black Is King’ is an affirmation of a grand purpose, with lush visuals that celebrate Black resilience and culture. The film highlights the beauty of tradition and Black excellence.”

Peep the trailer below:

BLACK IS KING — A Film by Beyoncé.

July 31st on @disneyplus. pic.twitter.com/FNEoJaQFUd

— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion) June 28, 2020

The new trailer dropped and it quickly started trending on Twitter. However, some people aren't feeling Bey's new project and are highly critical of the imagery. Peep a few tweets below:

Beyonce needs to stop using Africa as a trope because she won’t even come here to tour. https://t.co/hScoZC6vrh

—  noxy  (@noxytea) June 28, 2020

The Wakandafication of the continent and Black diasporic identities is entirely uninspired. The repeated tropes/symbolic gestures that homogenise & essentialise thousands of African cultures in service of securing the terrain for Black capitalist possibilities & futures is tired.

— jade (@divanificent) June 28, 2020

So tiredddd. Complete lack of regard for those who actually live on the continent too.

— Hortense Cumberbatch (@Bassdots) June 28, 2020

Its basically another form of colonialism to me. I think we should be proud of our differences and work collectively.

— CHI (@ChiTheAesthete) June 28, 2020

I’m glad someone said it.

— Femme Noire (@childofcongo) June 28, 2020

Thoughts?

Black Is King will be available to stream on July 31st via Disney+.

As for new music….

On Juneteenth, the Grammy Award winning singer dropped a new track titled “Black Parade,” which was co-written with her husband, Jay-Z. The track serves up Black empowerment vibes all while touching on the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests that have been raging on since the police killing of Minneapolis man George Floyd.  Take a listen above.

After donating millions to the COVID-19 relief, Mrs. Carter just recently donated tons of PPE supplies to help people in need in Cleveland amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

What a beautiful event that they're putting on in #MyGlennville today

Thank you #Beyonce #TammyKenndy #Urbanleague @Sharp2018 #EastSideMarket appreciate the free #PPE supplies for our residents#communitybuilding#BLM #Census2020 pic.twitter.com/VyW1nC3deq

— Victoria Trotter (@swimbaby5) June 27, 2020

“We want to thank Beyonce and her mother the BeyGOOD Foundation for even thinking of Cleveland to donate PPE and personal hygiene supplies,” said organizer Tammy Kennedy.

People in need were able to receive much-needed supplies that they may not have been able to pick up from packed grocery stores during the pandemic. A generous Queen.

Also...

Beyoncé will be honored with the 2020 "BET Humanitarian Award" at the 2020 #BETAwards for all the work she's done to help underserved communities through her @Beygood foundation.

Watch the @BETAwards this Sunday at 8/7c on @BET & @CBS. pic.twitter.com/cMsyJVSGB4

— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@BeyLegion) June 25, 2020

Beyoncé slated to receive the Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic efforts at the 2020 BET Awards that will go down tonight! She has been nominated for  Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Album Of The Year for “Homecoming," Best Movie for "Homecoming," and Best Her Award for "Brown Skin Girl." Stay locked to TheYBF.com for tonight's awards festivities!

Photo: Screenshot From Black Is King