Mood 4 Eva
by Beyoncé (featuring Jay-Z)

Album: The Lion King: The Gift (2019)
Charted: 56 90
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Songfacts®:

  • Beyoncé recorded this celebratory toast to the good life for the especially curated The Lion King accompaniment project The Gift. The song finds Beyoncé at her most self-assured.

    I am Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter
    I am the Nala, sister of Yoruba
    Osun, Queen Sheba, I am the mother
    Ankh on my gold chain, ice on my whole chain
    I be like soul food, I am a whole mood


    Queen Bey never stops shining and will be in this mood forever.
  • Beyoncé is joined on the track by her husband and frequent collaborator Jay-Z. Hova references other music royalty on his braggadocious verse, proclaiming that he feels like Prince in '84, Mike in '79, Biggie in '97, and Nas in '94.

    Jay also compares himself to African greats Nelson Mandela and Fela Kuti, keeping with the theme of the Lion King project.
  • Childish Gambino, who voices Simba in the movie, delivers the bridge. Under his real name, Donald Glover, Gambino also released a cover of "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" with Beyoncé. That track features in The Lion King remake and its official soundtrack.
  • The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion who struggles to succeed his father as King of his pride. Like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Gambino compares himself to royalty in his verse.

    Royalty in my blood, run the kingdom
    The more money, more problem season


    Gambino also incorporates a reference to The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 hit song "Mo Money Mo Problems."
  • The upbeat, energetic track was produced by Beyoncé herself alongside DJ Khaled and frequent Jay-Z collaborator Just Blaze.
  • The intro samples Malian musician Oumou Sangaré singing her song "Diaraby Nene."

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