Entertainment of Friday, 19 July 2019

Source: bbc.com

Beyoncé's 'love letter to Africa' released

Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale is among few African artiste who featured on the play videoDancehall artiste, Shatta Wale is among few African artiste who featured on the

The album, The Lion King: The Gift, that Beyoncé produced and curated has been released.

The track list features African stars such as Burna Boy, Wizkid and Shatta Wale, as well as songs from Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Childish Gambino and Pharrell.

The US musician had earleir called the album a "love letter to Africa" adding that she "wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa".

The album also includes Beyoncé's previously released single, Spirit, which opens with Swahili lyrics.

In Ghana, Beyoncé's collaboration, Already, with dancehall star Shatta Wale has already got people talking, and #ShattawaleBeyonceAlready is trending on Twitter there.

Some suggest that Beyoncé is sounding "like a real Ghanaian":

Another fan suggests that Shatta Wale is one of Ghana's God-given gifts:







On Already, Beyoncé sings "King already, already you know it", lyrics no doubt welcomed by Shatta's fans as they call him "the King":




Nigerian musicians feature heavily in the album, including Burna Boy, who performs Ja Ara on his own







Beyoncé told ABC News that she wanted the album to be "authentic to what is beautiful about the music in Africa", adding that "each song tells the story of the film".

The musician has faced some criticism in East Africa for not including a Swahili-speaking performer, especially as Lion King, which is released on Friday, has many Swahili references.