Beyoncé has done the unthinkable—rebranded the word “spirit” so that when you think of that word, you think of her instead of the wonky airline. Wow.
The video for “Spirit” debuted on the ABC special, The Lion King: Can You Feel The Love Tonight with Robin Roberts on Tuesday night.
The video gives me, “If Beyoncé invited Simba to her version of Timon and Pumbaa’s paradise,” equipped with gorgeous black women and a special edition of red-haired Blue Ivy. According to USA Today, Team Bey shut down Arizona’s Havasu Falls, a request granted by Havasupai tribal officials.
“This soundtrack is a love letter to Africa,” Beyoncé mused to Roberts during Tuesday’s special. “I wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa; not just use some of the sounds and did my interpretation of it, I wanted to be authentic to what is beautiful about the music in Africa.”
Bey’s new single is available on her new curated album, The Lion King: The Gift, which is set to be released in conjunction with The Lion King’s theatrical release on Friday, July 19.
The new album will feature artists from across the diaspora such as Tekno, Salatiel, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage and more.
You can stream “Spirit” on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal and more.