Kwasi Fordjour: The Creative Powerhouse Behind Parkwood Entertainment

Kwasi Fordjour can arguably be noted as one of the greatest creatives of our generation. He is no slouch, holding the titles of creative director, choreographer, writer and DJ. Fordjour always wanted to be a creative, especially within the music industry. Not only has he achieved his childhood dream, but he has surpassed it.

Background

Kwai Fordjour began his ascent into the prominent position at Parkwood Entertainment by first attending a music and journalism class at Grammy Camp for two years in a row. While there, he was taught by notable music journalist Steve Baltin. He then went on to explore the industry of marketing with a fellow Grammy Camp student, whereby he worked with hip-hop star Fabulous.

Fordjour’s internship with Kim Burse, Beyoncé’s musical director, which would catapult his career at Parkwood Entertainment. His amalgamation at Parkwood saw him thrust into a creative environment where “everyone is creative” (Out Magazine).

In an interview with Forbes Magazine, Fordjour articulates how he always wanted to be a creative director: “I always wanted to be creative. I always wanted to be a creative director.”

His history and abilities as a writer and storyteller have been an aid in aligning visuals in his creative directive projects.

Projects

Chloe x Halle – Kids Are Alright Short Film

The Kids Are Alright is a 2018 10-minute short film by Chloe x Halle, created to accompany their debut album of the same name. Directed by Cara Stricker and featuring actor Ashton Sanders, the visual project highlights six songs from the album

Beyoncé - Drunk In Love

From Beyoncé’s self-titled album, Beyoncé, Kwasi Fordjour was a key creative contributor to the visuals and choreography in music videos like Drunk in Love.

Beyoncé – Lemonade

As an associate creative director at Parkwood Entertainment, Forjour worked on Beyoncé’s visual album, Lemonade. Lemonade is a concept album that explores the historical Black female experience in the United States, allegorised as a personal journey through marital betrayal and healing, and structured as a song cycle based on the Kübler-Ross model.

The Carters – Everything is Love

Everything Is Love is a joint album from the married couple Beyoncé and Jay Z. The album contains lyrics about the couple's romantic love, lavish lifestyle, media worship, wealth, Black pride and fame – themes that were found to be characteristic of the whole record.

Beyoncé – Vogue Magazine Cover

Tyler Mitchell is the first Black photographer to shoot a cover for American Vogue in its 125-year history. The photographer captured the September 2018 cover featuring Beyoncé. 

The Lion King: The Gift

An integral part of the album cover, which features a close-up, artistic portrait of Beyoncé, styled with dramatic makeup and regal, textured elements that evoke a raw gold or tribal aesthetic. Designed by WØRKS' Joe Perez and Jenna Marsh, the artwork is a stylised interpretation of the film's climax, representing a "love letter to Africa".

Beyoncé – Black is King

Fordjour has been credited as co-director as well as creative director in the visual album Black is King. It is a visual companion to the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift, curated by Beyoncé for the film The Lion King (2019).

Kwasi Fordjour has expressed an interest in working with artists outside Parkwood Entertainment, such as ASAP Rocky and FKA Twigs, whom he has noted for their progressive and experimental filmic style.