From Spotify, this is Dissect, long form musical analysis broken into short digestible

episodes.

I'm Cole Kushna.

And I'm TT Shodia. Today we conclude our six-part examination of Black as King by Beyoncé. In our last

episode we saw Simba complete his journey and embrace his kingship and

worthiness. In the film's final scene we watched him hold up his child

signifying the circle of life he has come to understand as the result of his journey.

The screen then cuts to black and a title card appears, Black is King.

We then hear triumphant horns playing music reminiscent of a royal procession or a marching band

at a historically Black University.

These are the opening moments of Black as King's final track, the subject of our episode today, Black Parade. As these celebratory horns play, we see a home movie of Beyonce dancing while she holds her son

Sir Carter in a loving embrace. Given that the story of Black as King revolves

around Beyonce guiding a black boy on his journey to become a man.

The appearance of Sir Carter here at the end of the film

suggests that the entire film can be seen as a message to Beyoncé's actual son.

A message that is meant to guide him as he faces many of the

same choices that Simba faced in the film. We next see text appear on the

screen that reads, quote, Along with her son and other black sons and daughters as the people who

Beyonce most wants to reach with her film, this dedication also makes a clear

reference to the earlier track, Keys to the Kingdom. I still believe, even if you can't see I'll never leave,

because you're the key to the kingdom.

You're the key to the king.

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