The pop star released the trailer for the upcoming movie which stars Yemi Alade, Connie Chiume, John Kani, Nani Madida, Warren Masemola and Beyonce herself.
The press statement released by Beyonce and Disney says: “the voyages of Black families, throughout time, are honored in a tale about 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. “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.”
However, people have kicked following the release of the trailer with many people accusing Beyonce of appropriating African culture and showing Africa as one country instead of a continent filled with many.
Others, like her fans, defended her, saying that Beyonce is actually fighting for the African culture. See the reactions below:
Beyonce and Disney using African culture in there next movie yet Africans won't be able to see it because Disney + is not available in Africa….. that's the real definition of culture appropriation
— Tracklist. (@kvngzhookah) June 28, 2020
Let me just say that if you are against Beyonce's new trailer talking about appropriation and using Africa for her convenience, YOU'RE A CLOWN…A CERTIFIED CLOWN. What have you done to promote your roots and culture other than try to live up to standards of 1st world countries?
— 888 (@Olulu_x) June 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/taofeeqxx/status/1277514484173676544?s=20
Beyoncé involved African artists who are clearly portraying their own cultures in that trailer, e.g the SAn and Nigerian artists are dressed in their own traditional attire because she was sensitive to how they should be represented and you're calling cultural appropriation?
— Broke and Bougee ?? (@Andina_Mali) June 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/Ketso28/status/1277221425980596226?s=20
Black panther shined a light on African talent and all Africans went all out to celebrate that.
Beyoncé does the same with The Gift (On a bigger scale) and it's called cultural appropriation & misrepresentation?
The Gag here is that Black panther was based on PURE FICTION? pic.twitter.com/8dRYXqpHwz
— SIR BLUE (@NathiNtshingila) June 28, 2020
Beyoncé should go back to singing pop songs all these African appropriation she’s doing won’t end well with how she’s going about it
— Ajebutter (@__ede12) June 29, 2020
22 thoughts on “Mixed reactions trail the release of teaser for Beyonce’s ‘Black is King’”