Formation Beyonce

It is a perfect culminating moment for how we make, distribute, and consume popular music.Examination of how Black cultural values and artistic traditions across the African diaspora inform Beyoncé’s artistic work.Articles on Beyoncé and her work might pursue the following, the role of intersectional feminism, especially Black feminism, in evaluating Beyoncé’s musical, audiovisual, and cultural work. The relation of late capitalism and neoliberalism to the reception and mediation of Beyoncé’s public persona. Theoretically informed thick descriptions of Beyoncé’s music recordings, videos, attached to the spectacle of the female body in pop

On February 6, 2016 Knowles released a song and video known as “Formation”, endorsing the #BlackLivesMovement and embracing her own blackness. “Formation” is an unapologetic message that identified the roots and history of black power, as Black History Month approached.This music video also gives her audience an insight that includes, imagery of the affects of Hurricane Katrina and the evolution of black culture and femininity. This allowed her viewers to visually understand the cruelty and immorality of police brutality; however, Knowles demonstrates the

Beyonce, since infancy, has meticulously engineered her moniker to be adjacent to, in her respect, diety-like royalty. Seemingly injected with an air of sophistication since birth, many people are simply fascinated by the duality of her ipseity; she is aesthetically attractive and an activist for the women empowerment movement--more so evocative through her art rather than through her "off camera" life. But Beyonce possesses a rare magic every artist of color wishes they had which is her race is rarely a factor in people's decision to listen to her or not. In fact, not so long ago I found myself at a gathering with friends and a Beyonce song came on. Of course, commentary buzzed around the room, and I heard something that stuck out to me--someone said they forgot she was "black."

For nearly twenty years, Beyoncé has lived her life in the public eye yet she has always kept her cool, been submissive, and rather quiet when it came to her personal endeavors however after releasing the film “Lemonade”, we are able to see her in a vulnerable light. In Jeremy Helliger’s article: “Dear Beyhive: Stop Whining. Beyoncé Still Hasn’t Earned Her Album Of The Year Grammy” he addresses the idea that although Beyoncé was able to encourage black women to be proud and free, she also she missed the mark by adding raunchy, over the top content to her vulnerability.

Beyonce’s fervent passion for creating art is evident in the quality of her performances, diligent work ethic, and as well as in the song “6 Inch Heels”. In “6 Inch Heels”, Beyonce and The Weeknd sing about Beyonce staying true to her grind, and her steady/sound commitment to fulfilling her goals. In “6 Inch Heels” Beyonce exposes the inner lives of Black women by professing her genuine and raw expression of how tirelessly she works to achieve her goals. This is explicitly clear as she states, “She fights and she sweats those sleepless nights because she don’t mind, she loves the grind.” Furthermore, Beyonce encapsulates the essence of the life of the working class women, mamas, and wives. Though her success and riches are apparent, she

The main purpose of Beyoncé’s songs is to emphasise feminism and invigorate gender equality through her lyrics. She does so by using by conveying feminist philosophy in her lyrics. In Run the World, Beyoncé sings “strong enough to bear the children, then get back to business.” Figurative language is used to express be that women give birth however then after they proceed to work. Throughout the song used is both repetition and rhetorical question as this is how Beyoncé portrays the women empowerment theme, domination as well as confidence in her tone whilst preaching the line “Girls, we run this motha (yeah!)” and “Who run the world? Girls!”. Having expressed the line “My persuasion can build he nation” Beyoncé is building women up by speaking

Beyoncé Knowles’s Lemonade video album brings the words of Beyoncé into a visual media and shows the viewer a deeper meaning behind the album. After this video came out many articles came forward analyzing Lemonade. One article, in particular, that was intriguing is Bell Hooks “Moving Beyond Pain.” Hooks starts her article saying that the Lemonade video was created as a money-making, business strategy, but as the text continues the reader can conclude that “Moving Beyond Pain” is actually about African American women, and women in general, standing up for themselves.

Beyoncé’s choice of lyrics in the song “Formation” reflect a cultural reclamation and celebration of being multiple things: an African-American of any sex, a woman of any race, and specifically a black woman. These multiple messages are allowed for by lyrical content that ultimately asks members of all these marginalized groups to “get into formation” in singing an anthem for empowerment. “Formation” begins with a few words from Messy Mya, a YouTube personality who was murdered in 2010 and was known for his overt satire regarding violence against the black community in New Orleans. This sets the stage for the political message the following lyrics portray. “The intersection between hip-hop and politics has empowered a generation of youth to believe that they not only have rights but maybe even an obligation to make a difference in their world” (Alalman, p. 42, 2011). Expressing self-feelings, thoughts or views through music can make a change in the world, which is what Beyoncé does through her music. The actions in the song is further reinforced in the music video, through African American women fighting for respect on the streets, creating a sense of devotion in the audience. Moreover, the artist openly addresses the culture of open social hate towards black features “I like my baby hair with baby hair afro, I like my negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils”, to which she responds by accepting them as special traits to be cherished and not ashamed of. By embracing all these pejorative

While noticeably referring to the “free” Creole Bourgeoisie of color in the late 1800’s infused with the Victorian Era in relation to the Queen Victoria’s reign. There is a quick shot of Beyoncé wearing all white in reflection of the attire worn in that era by this wealthy race of people. The symbolism of the Victorian Era relates to the ideology of femininity. Her lyrics specifically says, “Okay ladies now let’s get in formation”. Being that Beyoncé can be considered a part of the modern-day elite, she is illustrating

On February 6, 2016 ‘Formation’ was released. Besides the controversy surrounding ‘XO’ ‘Formation has to be the most controversial song and music video she has ever released. Featuring lyrics like “I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils // When he f*** me good I take his a** to Red Lobster cause I slay.” Her music video featured her sitting on top of a New Orleans Police Department patrol car surrounded by a flood, a sign that says “Stop Shooting Us” and audio of Big Freedia What caused the true backlash of ‘Formation’ happened the next day on February 7. On, Super Bowl Sunday during halftime Beyonce performed ‘Formation’ live on national television. Beyonce and her backup dancers were dressed in Black Panther-esque costumes. Leading critics to say that her performance was racist and promoting anti-police sediment and has lead to police attempting protests the Super Bowl performance. Beyonce, herself has spoken out about the controversy. “I’m an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood,” she said. “But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of the officers who sacrifice themselves to keeps us safe. But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate

All, of the dancers in this music video are African-American, and it is very clear. None of their hair is straightened, they are all in Black Panther-esque outfits, and they are “unapologetically black.” The concept of this video is head-on addressing systemic racism. An obvious example is the dancers but there are also many more. For one, the opening scene, as referenced earlier, includes Beyoncé herself standing on a police car flooded in water while a clip saying “What happened in the New Orleans?” plays in the background. This artist is using her platform to bring attention to the hurricane in New Orleans and how there was little to nothing done by police there. She is calling out the system in this video.

Beyoncé recently released her music video on Saturday February 6, 2016. Beyoncé 's "Formation" video forms messages in text and visuals that fits today 's social issues. They call attention to the audience mainly for women and Black America. This piece of rhetoric creates meaning in society by giving us events and visuals to help the

“One of the reasons I connect to the Super Bowl is that I approach my shows like an athlete” (Beyoncé, 2016). On Sunday, February 7th, 2016 the NFL Super Bowl 50 was hosted where the Panthers played against the Broncos. The halftime show was headlined by Coldplay, with special guest performers Beyonce and Bruno Mars. Beyonce took over the stage and with her performance the female singer was trying to make a serious political statement. At the halftime show, Beyoncé sang her most recent song called “Formation”, and it captured everyone's attention with her performance and was called out racist. Also the music video made a political issue that is now being charged.

Wiggins, Paige A. "The Symbolism and Meaning in Beyonce's "Formation" Screams Black Power - The PostScript." The PostScript. N.p., 23 Feb. 2016. Web. 03 May 2016.

Beyoncé Knowles, a well-known singer, songwriter uses two of her songs: “Freedom” and “Formation” to tell the story of herself. “Freedom” is the beginning of her story where she is searching for freedom and equality showing that there is still much inequality and injustice for African Americans in America today. The song slowly transitions to a more positive tone when she seems to have made something beneficial out of her difficult situation. “Formation,” however, has a completely different tone. While she does address negative situations from the past at the beginning of the song, she quickly transitions to a more positive tone full of pride in where she came from, who she has become, and what she has overcome. Together, the two songs