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Beyoncé’s visual album Black is King arrived at Disney+ today — and not only does Bey perform, but she’s also credited as a writer, producer, and director. The musical film accompanies her 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift. Bey’s name is, of course, the first in the credits as the director. Right after her comes the credit for co-director Kwasi Fordjour, who’s second-in-command at the Bey Hive.
Beyoncé and Fordjour have been working together for quite a while — he’s been the creative director at Parkwood Entertainment since 2011, which is a management and entertainment company founded by Beyoncé. They began working together after she noticed him interning for her musical director. “I was picking up lunch, and when I was introduced to her, I wasn’t expecting her to be as chill as she was,” Fordjour said in an interview with Out Magazine. “She was a really kind spirit.”
Fordjour has worked on Beyoncé’s cover art, including The Lion King: The Gift and “Everything is Love.” He also has choreography credits on a handful of her music videos, including “Drunk In Love”, “XO”, and “Grown Woman.” In addition to working with Beyoncé, he’s also worked with duo Chloe x Halle, who opened for Beyoncé on The Formation World Tour. He directed and wrote their short film for their album “The Kids Are Alright.”
Fordjour’s creative direction has had a profound impact on her work. He is Ghanaian, and in Black is King, Bey celebrates Ghana. In her music video for a single titled “Already”, Bey collaborates with Ghanaian singers Shatta Wale and Major Lazer to honor the nation.
“Every person here is creative in their own right and there’s no limit to your creativity,” Fordjour said on working at Beyoncé’s management company. “When you work at different labels and management and production companies, and come to a place like this you’re struck by how creative the environment is. That really, really set it apart.”
You can follow Fordjour on Instagram for his updates on Beyoncé.
