Beyonce is the gift that keeps on giving. This time, she has gifted us with the latest visuals accompanying ‘Brown Skin Girl‘ – the widely popular hit song featuring Afrobeats superstar Wizkid, Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy and American rapper Saint Jhn, – from ‘The Gift’ album released in 2019 as an accompaniment to the live-action remake of Lion King.

Yes, it is true that a ‘Brown Skin Girl’ video was released last year when The Gift, an album that serves as a company to the live-action remake of Lion King. This new video, however, was taken from Beyonce’s new film, Black Is King, a musical film and visual album directed, written, and executive produced by Beyoncé based on songs from The Gift. The new video is a visually pleasing piece cenetred around the diverse forms and shades blackness comes in and features global stars like Naomi Campbell,  Kelly Rowland, Lupita Nyong’o, Wizkid, Blue Ivy.

Variety describes the stunning music video as “more like a series of paintings than a conventional video, with Beyonce and many others appearing in a series of beautiful settings and outfits.” And if you have seen Black Is King, then you would have to agree.

Although the film which was released exclusively on Disney plus has received mixed reviews, with some praising her for putting together a formidable, thoroughly researched and carefully considered work of art, one that puts Africa in focus with nuance, captivating storytelling, and exciting features -from Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, The National Theatre, Lagos and even the popular street dance Zanku. Others were critical of the film’s excessive glorification of blackness; the way black history is told through a fantastical lens that doesn’t do much to address the realistic, often problematic, and ultimately multidimensional truth of what it means to be black in a world that continues to vilify blackness.

Regardless of the valid opinions concerning Black Is King, the film is, without a doubt, an aesthetic wonder powered by deft cinematography and brilliantly conceived concepts. That and more is what you are sure to find with the new Brown Skin Girl video, so brace yourself and enjoy watching!

Nelson C.J

Nelson C.J is a culture writer with works in The New York Times, Xtra Magazine, OkayAfrica, Black Youth Project, AfroPunk, and a few other spaces. You can find him saving dog pictures on Twitter.