"Black is King" is finally, finally out. If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's nothing short of the highly anticipated and stunning visual album that Beyoncé just debuted on Disney+. Featuring cameo appearances by Beyoncé's husband Jay-Z, her children, her mother (opens in new tab), and many other stars, the visual album (also called a movie) was written, directed, and executive produced by Beyoncé. Running time is 90 minutes: During its impressive running time, the film depicts stylish music videos of songs from The Lion King: During its impressive running time, the film depicts stylish music videos of songs from the album The Gift, Simba's Journey (the recent The Lion King ), which is based on the remake of "The Lion King," but features humans instead of animals. Also an absolute visual feast and celebration, as an early review (open in new tab) explains: black is king excels as a celebration of black people in many forms: black women, black men, black children, black motherhood, black fatherhood, black past, black present, and Black future." Reactions (open in new tab) have already ranged from completely overwhelmed to jumping on the couch and cheering loudly. Here's what you need to know before you go see the show.

In case you missed it, Beyonce voiced Nala in the Lion King remake and curated and contributed to the accompanying album. According to Disney+, Black is King "reimagines the lessons of The Lion King for today's young kings and queens seeking their own crown." The accompanying release (opens in new tab) explains that the film will elevate "the voyage of a timeless black family" and focus on "the young king's transcendent journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity." Black is King is a lush visual celebration of Black resilience and culture, and an affirmation of a grand purpose."

The timing of the release seems no coincidence: it also marks the first anniversary of the film's theatrical release. Special appearances by Naomi Campbell, Kelly Rowland, Wizkid, Pharrell Williams, and many others (including featured artists from The Lion King: The Gift):

Also, as fans have discovered, Easter eggs throughout the story, references, and allusions abound. Filming apparently took place in international (open in new tab) locations such as New York, Los Angeles, South Africa, West Africa, London, and Belgium, and included a number of international talents.

In a very personal and lengthy post (unusual for this star), Beyonce talked about how "Black is King" was a "labor of love." Originally filmed as a companion piece to "The Lion King": originally filmed as a companion piece to the soundtrack of "The Lion King: The Gift" to celebrate the breadth and beauty of our black ancestry. a year later, the hard work that went into this production served a much greater purpose I could never have imagined that a year later, the hard work that went into its creation would serve a greater purpose," she continued. [The events of 2020] made the vision and message of the film all the more relevant as people around the world embark on this historic journey," she continued." I believe that when Black people tell our own stories, we can shift the axis of the world and tell a REAL history of wealth and rich souls across generations that is not told in the history books."[9

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So if you were up until 3:00 AM EST and couldn't see it the moment it debuted, go see it as soon as possible.

Watch "BLACK IS KING" on DISNEY+ (opens in a new tab)