Black is King album initial release: How to watch and listen to Beyonce's new album right now - CNET

Disney Plusmade Beyoncé's new visual album, Black Is King, available for streaming on July 31. Bey   executive produced, directed, and wrote the project, which honors Black excellence and picks up where her last album The Lion King: The Gift left off. (See all options for hearing that release below, in case you missed it.) Black Is King continues the visual album ambition she began in 2016 with her surprise release, Lemonade.

In an Instagram post, Beyoncé explained the goal of Black Is King.

"With this visual album, I wanted to present elements of Black history and African tradition, with a modern twist and a universal message, and what it truly means to find your self-identity and build a legacy," she wrote.

Black Is King follows the stories of Black families throughout time and tells "a tale about a young king's transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity," Disney described in a press release. The young king's loved ones help guide him to reclaim his home and throne.

The film has sparked controversy among members of the African community over its portrayal of African cultures. In the Black is King trailer (embedded below), the characters are seen wearing animal skins and face paint.

Here's how you can watch Black Is King now that it's live on Disney Plus. 

Can I watch Black Is King on Disney Plus for free?

To watch Black Is King, you'll need to have one of the Disney Plus subscriptions below. Note that you can cancel anytime.

While Disney Plus no longer has a free trial option, some Verizon and US Mobile subscribers may be eligible for a free Disney Plus account as part of their wireless or internet services. 

For everyone else, there are three ways to subscribe:

If you don't see Black Is King highlighted at the top of Disney Plus, you can search by selecting the magnifying glass icon and typing the movie's name.

Can I download Black Is King to watch offline?

Disney Plus lets you download all its shows and movies to watch offline.

Where can I listen to Beyoncé's album The Lion King: The Gift?

Before you watch the movie, you may be interested in listening to The Lion King: The Gift album. Vanity Fair reports Black Is King will pick up where The Gift left off, so listening to the album could help make the transition to the movie easier. Here's where you can listen.

This story updates often.

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