Firstly we need to know about the background of the song My Power. According to songfacts it states that Beyoncé links up with American rapper Tierra Whack, South African artists Moonchild Sanelly and Busiswa,plus New Jersey songwriter Nija.The song is a declaration of black pride from Queen Bey and Tierra Whack accompanied by Nija on the hook proclaiming "They'll never take my power ". Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly,meanwhile,deliver verses in Zulu and Xhosa. Moreover, South African producer DJ Lag's instrumentation channels gqom,which is a style of house music set around 126 beats per minute that originated in Durban. DJ Lag sent six instrumentals to Beyoncé ahead of time and by the time he'd arrived in LA,her team had already chosen what they wanted. He told Rolling Stone:"The only thing I did at the studio was work with the voices and add Busiswa's part on the beat".
From the background information above,the fact that Beyoncé links up with South African artists notonly expresses feelings about black pride but also in a way empowers Africans. She also links up with Yemi Alade hence proving that My Power is all about black pride. Moreover DJ Lag is the one who produced the song which shows that Queen Bey wanted to make the song unique where everyone is free to express who they really are hence diversity is shown.
The song My Power is a love-letter to Africa. According to factmag.com:Beyoncé enlists DJ Lag for Lion King:The Gift track My Power by Henry Bruce-Jones18-07-19,it shows why the soundtrack is a love-letter to Africa. Beyoncé explained in an interview with ABC that "This soundtrack is a love-letter to Africa,and I wanted to make sure that we found the best talent from Africa". This explains why Moonchild Sanelly,Busiswa and Yemi Alade were enlisted in the soundtrack My Power. Firstly, Yemi Alade is a Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter who is known for her hit single Johnny. Secondly, Busiswa is a South African singer-songwriter and poet who gained public recognition in a feature on DJ Zinhle's song My Name Is after being discovered by Kalawa Jazmee's CEO Oskido. Lastly,Moonchild Sanelly is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-colored hair and self-created music genre called "Future ghetto punk". Her music fuses elements of experimental electronic afro-punk and edgy-pop with hints of her strong kwaito,hip hop and jazz background. This explains why they are the best talent from Africa hence My Power expresses feelings about black pride.
Moreover Beyonce said in an interview with ABC that "It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me". DJ Lag is known to be one of the best African producers hence explaining why he was chosen to produce the song My Power. The album is all about diversity and uniqueness. The picture below shows the album cover:
The lyrics of the song My Power expresses feelings about black pride. According to E News: All the Lyrics You Need to Know From Beyoncé 's The Lion King :The Gift Album by Corinne Heller explains the meaning behind the lyrics. It states that the song contains the lyrics; "Woza/Vumani Bo (Siyavuma!)/Selingenile ikumkani/Ningangabazi amandla am" which means, "Come, "The King has entered/arrived" and "Don't doubt my power". It also incorporates a chant used by traditional healers in South Africa that calls the African ancestors to "agree" or "affirm" according to Genius. This is why it is a declaration of black price because it incorporates South African culture.
Beyoncé dropped her anticipated The Lion King :The Gift album on July 18 2019. According to E News it states that the album is "steeped in African influences from various corners of the Continent,with unexpected collaborations,pulsating rhythms and crisp production that celebrates the African diaspora. This love letter to Africa highlights the setting of the film,rooted,in African culture and wondrous narratives" according to a press release. The album empowers Africans hence expressing feelings about black pride.
The song My Power would not have become popular without the female rapper Tierra Whack,talented African musicians (Busiswa,Moonchild Sanelly and Yemi Alade),New Jersey songwriter Nija,South African producer DJ Lag and lastly Beyoncé who came up with the idea of incorporating African musicians in the album The Lion King:The Gift in the first place. The song is popular because of the hard work everyone put in to make it a success.
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