Morning Edition: Music

New Beyoncé album accompanies the Lion King movie remake

A sign at the world premiere of "The Lion King."
Signage is seen during the world premiere of Disney's "The Lion King" at the Dolby Theatre on July 9, 2019, in Hollywood, Calif.
Alberto E. Rodriguez | Getty Images for Disney

Beyoncé has a new album, called "The Lion King: The Gift."

It’s not the official soundtrack to the new Lion King movie remake, but rather a companion project featuring guest stars ranging from Kendrick Lamar to Childish Gambino and Jay-Z. It also includes contributions from artists based in Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Cameroon.

While the movie has been panned, critics have been much kinder to the music, which Beyoncé described in a Good Morning America interview as "a love letter to Africa."