I wanted you to watch the video first before I said my peace.
There really isn’t a lot to say about the visuals themselves. Katrina, Black Lives Matter, “stop shooting us”, the police with their hands up after witnessing a dance by a young black man, Beyoncé drowning on a police car in New Orleans; all of it is an homage to a culture that is stigmatized when the heirs of it display it but monetized when appropriated and watered down. Add to that the fact that Beyoncé apparently directed this and you have the feeling that she might have missed a calling that could have brought her both critical and mass acclaim.
The problem comes when you separate the track from the video. I have a little exercise for you; read the lyrics all the way through once.
We would like to thank a Naussicaa Regis for the full lyrics.
What happened after New Orleans?
Bitch, I’m back by popular demand
Y’all haters corny with that illuminati mess
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin’)
I’m so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma
I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all his money but they never take the country out me
I got hot sauce in my bag, swag
Oh yeah baby, oh yeah I, ohhhhh, oh yes
I like that I did not come to play with you hoes
I came to slay, bitch
I like cornbreads and collard greens, bitch
Oh yes, you best to believe it
Y’all haters corny with that illuminati mess
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin’)
I’m so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma
I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all his money but they never take the country out me
I got hot sauce in my bag, swag
I see it, I want it I stunt, yeah, little hornet
I dream it, I work hard I grind ‘til I own it
I twirl all my haters Albino alligators
El Camino with the ceiling low
Sippin’ Cuervo with no chaser
Sometimes I go off, I go off I go hard, I go hard
Get what’s mine, take what’s mine
I’m a star, I’m a star
Cause I slay, slay I slay, hey, I slay, okay
I slay, okay, all day, okay I slay, okay, I slay okay
We gon’ slay, slay
Gon’ slay, okay
We slay, okay I slay, okay
I slay, okay
Okay, okay, I slay, okay
Okay, okay, okay, okay
Okay, okay, ladies, now let’s get in formation, cause I slay
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation, cause I slay
Prove to me you got some coordination
Slay trick, or you get eliminated
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, cause I slay
Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J’s, let him shop up, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
You might just be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay
I might just be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay
I see it, I want it I stunt, yeah, little hornet
I dream it, I work hard I grind ‘til I own it
I twirl all my haters Albino alligators
El Camino with the ceiling low
Sippin’ Cuervo with no chaser
Sometimes I go off, I go off I go hard, I go hard
Get what’s mine, take what’s mine
I’m a star, I’m a star
Cause I slay, slay I slay, hey, I slay, okay
I slay, okay, all day, okay I slay, okay, I slay okay
We gon’ slay, slay
Gon’ slay, okay
We slay, okay I slay, okay
I slay, okay
Okay, okay, I slay, okay
Okay, okay, okay, okay
Okay, okay, ladies, now let’s get in formation, cause I slay
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation, cause I slay
Prove to me you got some coordination
Slay trick, or you get eliminated
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation, I slay
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation
You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation
Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper
Girl I hear something, thunder
Golly this is that water boy, oh Lord
Now read them again, omitting the underlined lines. Now read them again, omitting the underlined and italicized lines. Do you begin to see the problem that I see? No? Let me explain.
One or two lines of track about awareness and black pride do not make a theme. Just like Flawless, which was initially heralded a feminist anthem, most of the song is a brag and/or defense track about the singer herself. The underlined snippets are the parts of the song that are most unabashedly about black pride and black empowerment. Notice how few of them there are? The italicized lines fall into a grey area where they can be seen as being a part of the black pride theme but also can be seen as a defense/regaling of Beyoncé. Even if you add the sum of both together; you still have more than 3/4 of the song which is about her having sex with Jay Z, looking great in her expensive clothes, (not really) ignoring her haters, and how much life she gives her fans.
One of the things that we believe here is that lyrics have to be taken as a whole and what the majority of the song points to is what the song is actually about. A lot of singers make songs for the Twitter age; tracks that really don’t mean anything but have lines that can quoted in 144 characters so that those who are on the fence or haven’t heard it will think there is a deeper meaning behind it. Beyoncé, with many of her singles, has become a queen of this kind of marketing (oh yes, that is exactly what it is). Most of her songs aren’t as lazily written as most songs of this ilk (7/11 excluded), but she does know what drives a large part of her fanbase; her fabulousness, her fierceness; and a desire to see her as wholly representative of black culture in a desire to see themselves in her.
It cannot be said enough; Beyoncé having pride in herself is not the same as having pride in the culture as a whole. I have no doubt that she is proud of who she is and gets sick of rumors about her and the fact that so many people like to take unfounded shots at her at times, but shutting down your antis is not the same standing up for black culture. Beyoncé rocking braids is not necessarily a tribute to her African roots. Her pride in her southern style that is not unique to black people is not a wider commentary on the legitimacy of that culture. The two are not mutually inclusive. That would be like saying Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off is an homage to American exceptionalism just because she dresses like a cheerleader, talks about things that everyday people do and has a multiracial cast of dancers.
And, the sad thing is, if the song and the video had been two separate entities, this commentary wouldn’t exist. If the visuals had been teamed up with a Black Butterfly-type song where the lyrics reflected the mood they set, I would have loved it. If she had also released a fun track about how awesome it is to be Beyoncé and how she doesn’t care about what we think about her with visuals to match it, I also wouldn’t have had a problem. But going less than halfway on the song just allows those who don’t want to acknowledge the powerful message of the video to simply listen to it on the radio or in their playlist and ignore what could have been a large theme. It feels like a cop-out; a way to still be commercially viable to a large audience while satiating the base. And that feeling of calculation is the worst part of it.
The type-o’s in this are distracting but you made really great points.
I think you mean “typos,” not the personality type.
well you slayed……LOL….commentary is really commendable and I totally agree…. and “typos” comment is hysterical….
Got em!
there’s no such thing as a type-o personality. you’re thinking about blood types.
There’s no such thing as an “O” personality type.
Very good read. Only issue I have is the reference to the little boy dancing as a young black man. I feel that we we need to start referring to our children as children. If we don’t see them as such then others won’t either.
beyonce doesn’t owe anybody anything
She thinks she does, if not why address her so called haters…lol
yes she does. we made her filthy rich, she owes a lot actually.
I believe it really isn’t that deep brother. I see the video as just an artistic expression of who she is and why she is the way she is. People say the way she dress is illuminati based but she’s showing in the video it’s derived from her creole roots. People say her success is due to ties with the illuminati but she’s saying that illumanati angle is wack, I’m on top cause I slay and work hard…so really it’s all based on interpretation as most art is. God bless
I would agree except that she dressed her dancers like Black Panthers.
…in addition to the fact that her dancers had natural hair…she didn’t…and Areal, I can say that I was born with green skin…doesn’t make it true. #beyoncecanlietoo #findwhatstrueforyou Thank you for the thoughtful review! It’s hard nowadays to find individuals that can think for themselves, and find answers outside of TMZ and World Star. Keep pushing toward truth. Good on you for this! #staywoke
I don’t fully understand what does her dancer’s dressed as Black Panthers have to do with the comment or article
so by now u should know that it was a nod to the BLACK PANTHERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY , and her x was to Malcom X and her x on her outfit was a nod to Michael Jackson. She is bad and a great business woman…PERIOD
Im total agreement with you ppl dig to deep and miss what’s right in front of them
Maybe hurricane Katrina and the black lives movement was that deep to some people and they want for the message to be told the right way whenever the discussion is brought up. Beyoncé is an entertainer yes but she is playing both sides.
Show me a Panther that wore a onesie.
I agree, ppl like this take the enjoyment out of life.
I love it, you totally get it
Couldn’t agree with you more. If people want to use it as a Pro black anthem or empowering song, why take that from them?
I agree
I LOVE BEY!!!!
I think the “bragging” points are to show how powerful she is/has become and her advice on how anyone else can be. (We can all be successful) When she says something like “Stay gracious / Let your paper speak for you” she’s pointing to 1 American fact that wealth changes things. I don’t think that’s any less conscious. I think Formation is speaking to a lot of issues simultaneously & you have to remember that lyrically she has to be able to sing it, “Ladies get in formation” it’s a call to action.
Interesting. How does the verse about Red Lobster and Js fit into that?
Stereotypically its men who take women out to eat and buy them things for a “job well done”…in and out the bedroom. I think its more that we, as women can do the same…which kind of ties into her lyrics of letting the paper speak for itself…gender equality.
I agree Ras and Jas
👍👍👍👏👏👏
RT
That tackles gender stereotypes. Instead of the man taking her out to eat, she takes him out… because she can afford it and because she is a boss. She can handle her own. She does not need to depend on a man. Thats what I took from it.
You messed in five seconds black wealth does not equal change.
Agreed! Definitely a call to action. It’s completely necessary to spoon feed knowledge in teeny tiny doses for many people today, and what she did was perfectly calculated to do so. I can see many queens waking up if even just a little from repeating self empowering lyrics and thinking about things they may have never entertained. I’m not a die hard of a Beyoncé fan, but I’m enjoying watching her just take control of her own. And her music makes me dance lol.
Great points. I totally agree. I don’t think this article was well thought out.
It’s a hype song… A song to grab some attention… As a black artist, especially when you’re Beyoncé the general public is hard on you… When you realease a body of work with meaning, pure raw vocals, non-pop (see 4) the people don’t want to hear that. They want to keep you in a box…. This Era however seems different from anything that she’s ever done… I think she released this hype track, a track to have everyone talking But the album is about to be a monstrosity (in a good way)… She needs the attention, (Both negative and positive) she just needs the people to talk. Beyoncé has grown as an artist, and she has said countless times that her focus isn’t her singles but releasing a body of work.. Take this song as a funny introduction Of her simply saying fuck what you think of my child because I love her… Fuck what you think of my husband because I love him… Fuck your opinions, I’m black, I love me and I work hard… That’s what I got from it… She knew some would love the video but dislike the song and at the end of the day as long as you like one or the other, her job is done. As long as you’re talking or blogging her job is done…
I hear thunder….What’s the water boy oh Lord mean????
That wasn’t her saying that. It was natives of New Orleans saying that, more than likely talking about Katrina.
I totally agree
Loved your synopsis.
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Damn Ninjas can’t be happy with anything. You do realize it is incredible in this day and age for a black pop superstar of her status to affirm her blackness. It is incredibly bold. She also responded to the silliness of their Illuminati affiliation (as if there is such a thing and a drug dealing rapper and r&b singer with a combined wealth of slightly under a billion dollars could just get in with open arms). Oh, and don’t forget she addressed the stupidity of those that find a problem with the natural beauty of little Ivy’s hair. Come on. She keeps hot sauce in her bag. Can’t get no blacker/militant than that. At the end of the day, this is still a song that has to have spins and be heard, surely you’re not suggesting she go full Angela Davis for five minutes. Hell, why even bother to sing. Perhaps you would prefer if she was at the mosque, giving a speech with the FOI as her backup dancers. Damn. Stop reaching and appreciate this for what it is, a bangin’ as MIke-Will produced radio anthem with coded language and affirmations mixed with braggadocio to sell records and get airplay. Must be something more important than this for you to decode and rile against like Josh Stone being voted Reggae artist of the year or some other significant bullshit like that.
Yes! This comment exactly. Thank you.
PERFECTION! !!
Exactly. I’m not sure exactly where the lyrics don’t match the visuals. Most of the video was her dancing or sitting around in different outfits. This was the best way to express a powerful message while still keeping things mainstream.
Well said! Why is everyone in such a hurry to attack her? Allow her to use her platform to promote us and call everyone to action please. Do we not remember, “I add a motherfucker so you ignorant niggas hear me”, by Lauryn Hill? You have to meet the people where they are. Beyonce knows what she’s doing and the people are talking…just as she knew they would.
Looks like your one of the people she talks about in her songs. Let her live.
Aaah proof you were just born. James Brown was singing about how he was black and proud decades ago. Ninjas too busy today crying bout cultural appropriation and lapping at the feet of celebrities hahaha white supremacy has done a proper number on everyone.
We gonna Dance and sing our way right to heaven. God Bless Us All…
I agree with everything here except that the first line “What happened after New Orleans?” is political. If I had just heard the song without the video, particularly given its release the day before the Superbowl and her first performance of it at this year’s game, I would have assumed that the line, especially when combined with the next line “Bitch, I’m back by popular demand” was a reference to her performance in 2013 at that year’s Halftime show IN NEW ORLEANS. Which is just more of her self-congratulations and defense of her.
I would go as far as to say that nothing about the song itself is political. Even the parts that you’ve underlined as being definitely about black empowerment and black pride can be read as just more of Beyonce defending and regaling, as you put it, herself and her choices. She gets criticized a lot about how she chooses to let Blue Ivy be natural and rock a fro. She definitely has gotten criticized about Jay-Z in lots of ways, not in the least about her being out of his league in terms of attractiveness. And saying that she is a black Bill Gates in the making… is factually incorrect, but as a metaphor is an ok way to say that she is super rich. (Although one of her main criticisms is that she gives zero back to the community, and Bill Gates gives a shit ton back to communities all over, so it’s not even that great of a metaphor.)
No, the song itself doesn’t strike me as political. It’s not even that great of a song, honestly. It’s lazy and changes up too much to really be completely danceable.
The video is political. But it is political in a way that feels like someone said, “Hey. We took your super lazy song and found a way to market it as being more than it really is trying to say.” It feels like when people made a big deal about Nicki Minaj calling out Taylor Swift for being nominated for video of the year when she (and Beyonce) wasn’t and people made it a whole thing about the music industry’s tendency to celebrate white artists over black ones. A legitimate statement? Yes. But for that situation? Nope.
This feels like that. Like someone took her song in a different direction than she originally intended and she just ran with it and made a whole video about it. But at the end of the day, even this “politicized” video doesn’t really SAY anything. So she drowns on a police car in the ostensibly Katrina-flooded New Orleans. Okay. But why? What about that has to do with you fucking your husband and carrying around hot sauce? What about that is pro-black culture at all?
People have criticized her for a long time for not speaking out on black issues. And they are legitimate criticisms. But if this was her attempt to respond to those criticisms? She really needs to try again.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/20/opinions/bush-beyonce-jay-z-altruism/
lol…here’s another too about her involvement in Flint, Michigan. i wish ppl would check their facts…http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2016/02/beyonce_starts_fund_to_aid_in.html….I see why she made the song. lol
WOW. You wrote a lot, but the first line is actually ” What happened at the New Wil’ins?”. It’s the voice of Messy Myra taken from one of his viral videos where he asks that question and colorfully answers it. He was killed in 2010, The murder went unsolved. He was a well known club act in New Orleans.
Here is the viral video. Warning it is profanity filled
To correct you, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have done a lot for the black community but never come out publicly with all they do. They go beyond the NAACP, Urban League, Al Sharpton and the marches. No matter what black folks do there will always be someone else saying it was not enough. Wow.
Thank you, I’m glad someone defended them.
Fucking reaching
Very well stated! Perfectly sums it up – the video and the song, itself.
Agree
But Beyoncé didn’t direct this… Melina Matsoukas did…
The song had only been out about three hours when this was written and the initial word was that Beyoncé either directed or co-directed the video. We have since seen the controversy over the uncredited use of documentary footage and are debating whether or not to remove that line.
Hater….
Finally! Just because there is a critique, doesn’t mean Beyonce is a horrible person or will not take us there eventually, but I agree that actual song is mediocre and answering haters is not revolutionary.
Beyoncé’s entire song lyrics and video are great. Her choices reflect artistic license and dopeness… When I pair this song with her community work and her and hubby 1,5 million dollar donation… I this article is reaching…
sing it to your grandparents or anyone over 60 who lived through segregation and legal racism, let me know how they like it. And whats 1.5 million when you are knocking on 1 billion in the bank. Money with the wrong heart doesn’t equal a good deed. Its just the power to do what you want because you have the power. Beyonce is way more known for being Queen B, not a philanthropist. God bless us with a mind to believe and see between the lines.
You’re actually leaving a lot out… I am not a rabid Beyonce fan but I do applaud her efforts here. It isn’t “Glory” from John Legend and Common but this IS a political song – even without the imagery of video*. The politics of Black hair (afros), Black sexuality (blatant), AAVE (the slang/language), Black people as refugees in their own homeland (New Orleans, police brutality), Black history (New Orleans), racism (police brutality), Black expression (language/slang, dance, song), and Black economic power (radio play, designer labels – haute couture and lower end) are all summarily addressed in the song itself. If you feel that referencing those aforementioned topics is not sufficient, you may not understand the importance of those subjects at large or Beyonce’s target audience.
*Additionally, to be clear, the rights of the documentary used were sold to Sundance which was credited in the video’s credit roll. The original director and producer of the documentary were acknowledged after their complaints surfaced.
A+ for this comment. People talk a lot about folks being vapid in their presentation and lyrics, but don’t realize that the content often speaks to factors painting the sociology, hierarchies, and group-think of the day.
Just because something is not a full-length novel on the suppression of blacks in America doesn’t mean it isn’t rife with wakefulness and relevance.
The entire song is a call to action and subtly enough so to latch onto tuned-out but turnt-up ears.
Yes to all of this!
The song makes no sense at all. Don’t say powerful, where? Why does she have to say what the white people say African Americans like? The so called labels!
I agree.
Awesome Article and very well said! Its so unfortunate that Beyonce gets defended by so many for actions and suggestive lyrics that directly come against the people that claim her amazingness. Her work is lazy, there is no way Im gonna stand proud and let a lyric about sleeping with a man and taking him to red lobster empower me. Which by the way she aint NEVER been to red lobster and when you dump her bag, you will find NO hot sauce. Generations have to grow up to this, its irresponsible, it doesn’t make me feel powerful, it just says, I’m great because I have money. Thats the message and our culture is letter her tell us that. Its part of the problem.
With all of this you must know her personally lol!! How do you know what she carries in her bag or where she dines with her husband!? I’m weak with laughter!!! At the end of the day you can’t please everyone and it’s obvious that you’ve never taken her seriously and probably never will. But that’s ok it’s your opinion and your definitely entitled to it. Your just part of that crowd that is just not phased by BeyoncéKnowles Carter. If you let that lyric determine the direction of the entire song u missed it and by your comments I can tell you’re ok with that lol
You are so right
I think you completely missed her message. Her lyrics hit everything that had been rumored about her, her daughter and her marriage. The message is telling you to stop worrying about who or what she is because there are more important issues in the world. And you’d be surprised at how many celebrities have their favorite condiment on them because it’s not available everywhere they travel. If people are laying any celebrity be there child’s role model, that is poor parenting on their part. And as she says, no matter how the world feels about her she still slays and her money shows that.
I think this article proves her point. Everyone is always worked about what celebrities ate doing, what designers are wearing, if her and get husband are getting divorced, what her daughters hair looks like but completely missed what’s going on in the world, hence what’s going on in the video.
Artists use their music and their videos as artistic expressions. In her video I think Beyonce definitely tried to tie in her personal feelings/beliefs into a larger picture and theme with the video. Yes, the lyrics seem to be about herself, but I think she is using herself as the example. By having pride in who she is as a black woman she is encouraging others to do so as well. I think she is “leading” by example; by unaplogetically identifying herself as a black woman she is aligning herself with the black community and the current struggles of the community.
There you go!!! All she can do is speak on herself and her views heck that’s what we all do! But with that she knows she’s influential she’s doing what any strategic artist with a gray following would do!
I’m a huge BEYONCE fan and I get your point, but this could be argumented both ways. Yes majority of the song is about her, being fabulous, saying fuck you to the haters, etc. But the song is what’s going to get you to watch the video because it’s “slays” right? But when you see the video it’s unexpected but it packs a punch to those who have been blinded or simply not paying attention to what’s happening to the black community. So if Beyonce comes out with a video to a dope song that visualizes the depression pain that the black community has been experiencing all of her fans. ALL OF THEM. Will see, or atleast have a glimpse to what’s really happening or going on in our world. Of how much we’re hurting, how much we’re losing. If anything the video being a contrast (in a sense) to the words being said was done on purpose. She knows 98.9% of the world loves her and will watch anything she does (hell even if they hate her they will) so I personally (and this is all just a personal opinion) think it was a smart move. Your article was still a good read though
My thoughts exactly! I wrote a VEEEERY similar article and would love to guest post. Please let me know!
I get it. Beyoncé is just held to a higher standard than most. She releases a free song and video, she’s not asking you to buy anything, she’s putting out a message, she’s doing her thing, but no she should have done more. Where was this commentary when every popstar from Katy to Taylor to Rihanna to Adele released the same-old, same-old in the past few years. No one said that they needed to have more political messages? But when Bey actually does it, by combining the release of her song WITH a video that IS powerful, it’s not enough. You’re saying “but the lyrics don’t match” as if that somehow lessens the power instead of merely just not adding to it. It’s powerful. End of story.
Nothing is free! That song was used to promote her upcoming tour. Like the author said, she’s the queen of marketing.
Nothing is free? How do I and so many other people legally own the song without purchasing it?
Ya, it promoted her tour. But do you need to buy tickets to get this song? NO. It’s your choice. You know what would also promote her tour though? A song for purchase. A song that isn’t so political. A cute pop hit that goes to #1 with Super Bowl promo because of a large amount of sales that she welcomes by putting it on iTunes, not giving it away for free. She was smart to market it alongside her SB performance and tour announcement, but what you’re saying is a LEAP.
I understanding what you’re saying and I also understand it’s your opinion. However, my interpretation is that the visual is more powerful than the lyrics. Intentionally so. The song is catchy (attention getter). The video evokes thought. And what you identify as self praise, I consider to be a call for all people to get in formation of living yourselves enough to change the story that’s being told. My opinion.
You made some dope points, but in all honesty. What is an anthem? Is it not a song that we sing to affirm greatness?! I slay…every single day and I think that ppl forget any time Beyoncé makes a change in her brand she has to prepare both black and white America for it. I feel like the song was for us to reaffirm in our greatness and the video was for white America to see…”I don’t do this for you and I don’t care what you think because well…I slay” I don’t say this as a card toting member of the beehive. I say this as someone who did not want to see the video because I have a hard time with Texas Bama Beyoncé…but when I saw it…my marketing mind was like….OH SUGA, her album is going to be super dope. She has traveled to all 17 of the major communities within the Africa Diaspora in the last several months I feel like for what the music industry allows…Beyoncé gave us the closest thing to an anthem we are going to get and that her next project will have more uplift than fluff…just wait for it.
YES!
Plus all the times she says “I slay” is also a way to say she is slaying racism and injustice and all that. She’s calling ladies to get ready, to slay with her.
I don’t think she wanted the song to be experienced without the visuals, hence the reason why she put the song out with an accompanying video. She did the same thing with her last album. She had a exact message she wanted to portray and that’s why the visuals were given at the same time.
And I think the message she wanted to display in the song was given through the visuals in the video and must be experienced as a whole and not picked apart to further discredit her and her art. I’m not sure why it’s so hard for black people to just support each other, especially when someone is being unapologetically black in the face of critics. And as a black woman from the South, I think the random lines when she spoke about the South are the truth and represent Southern culture. Just like when an artist from New York gives props to things they experience where they are from. It’s not going to relate to everybody but the underlying message of being proud that you are black. that’s something we all have in common and I think that’s where she was going with this.
Very well said.
First, what video now-a-days actually goes with the lyrics in a song. Its like no matter what black ppl do, some black person will always have a problem with it. Stop tearing her down for what she was trying to do and go start your own revolution, damn. Stop! What is wrong with someone standing up and say enough is enough?
This was well written. I would share it but these Beyhive folks are nuts!
Reblogged this on Bellus Mantis and commented:
#AnotherOne
The message I got from the video/song was:
-bringing awareness of what it’s like to be African-American in American in 2016 and that rasicsm still persists
-that her [Beyoncé] success is not illuminati related and that she works hard & smart to get what she wants and encourages her people, especially ladies, to reach for the stars like she does… she leads by example
-that she [Beyoncé] is proud of her heritage/roots and that the accusations of her wanting to be “white” is nothing more than rumors
I thought it was awesome because it wasn’t just another catchy song of the radio . Every time I hear this song I think of the above… I hope that’s the message she wanted to portray…
Did you even listen to the lyrics? You skipped so many other political double entendres but if you just want to focus on the overt, sure.
Plus she spoke about sex a lot less than 3/4 of the song.. she spent like 1 small verse on that. So did you listen to the song or not?
Actually in was a whole verse which makes that 3/4. It wasn’t just a line. 3/4 is indeed small no matter how you put it.
Actually unless the song is comprised of only 4 verses and nothing more, then it can’t have been 3/4 of the song.
However, it is not. There are verses and there are choruses on this song, and the verse that mentions sex is a small one.
Not to mention that the act of proudly claiming she’s taking a man to red lobster is not only empowering as a black female with the agency to be the one to reward the man, but as a black female who is shamelessly proud to frequent a place like red lobster.
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I think this was a pretty interesting read. I appreciate opinion, and at face value, it doesn’t seem as “pro-black” without its accompanying visual. I’d like to offer a different perspective.
Context is powerful. I believe that what Bey has done, with this record in particular, has coded the “pro-black” lingo into something a bit easier to digest. For example, “I got hotsauce in my bag, (swag)”. That line is dope because it’s definitely a thing in black culture, but it’s followed by her in a Givenchy dress. The context behind it is that she can be fancy (or bougie) while also being “not-so-fancy” (ghetto). It’s an explicit understand of “boughetto”. Another part I liked is the entire Red Lobster/radio station segment. She flips the gender roles nicely because rappers, oftentimes, “reward” their conquests (the women they sleep with) economically. She did the same with “Bow Down”, but this took it up a notch. Additionally, she uses clips from NO native Messy Mya (who I recently found out about) and Big Freeda (sp?). Those two, in addition to their enunciation, is blackness. Specifically queer blackness (which, I would argue, is essential to the black community). Coupled with our (black queer) vernacular “I slay”, she did a pretty heavy combination, despite its simplicity. Less is more definitely shined there.
One of the biggest highlights for me comes from a comment I read on a blog. Essentially, she could be playing on words with “now let’s get in formation” which can be heard as “now let’s get information”. That play reminds me of Lupe Fiasco’s “Deliver”, where he says “Pizza man don’t come here no mo”. It can be also seen as “Peace of man don’t come here no mo”, which he intentionally did. Specifically calling the ladies is strong because our biggest movements (Civil Rights, Say Her Name, and Black Lives Matter) were conceived by black hetero and queer women. With her advocacy of feminism (borderline womanism), she hit some strong territory with that one.
Long story short, she has a bunch of blackness in this song, sans visual. The visual added even more weight to it. Lyrically, it’s not the most advanced or explicit. But not all things need to be explicit (word to coded language). Coupled on top of a gritty, Southern trap beat with horns aptly ready for an HBCU band to perform, she definitely drenched this record in some melanin.
Again, just an alternate perspective. 🙂
I agree, I actually read the lyrics before I watched the video…and wondering what did they song have to do with anything I’ve heard people talking about? They ask the question of what happened after NOLA but didn’t explain what happened. She really had random symbols in the video that were not even accurate/made sense to whats really going on in the world. It was like a cute fun version of what’s going on. all she did was brag about herself and shake her butt.
Thank you, so very much. After seeing the video, I too felt I was living in an alternate universe when reading all the hollow praise the next day. All the OMG SHE SLAYED!!!’ left me mostly disturbed. The content of the lyrics is far from empowering, especially when it comes to our community. The majority of the song is about her, and her response to criticism of her and her lifestyle–the allusion to blackness is comes off as glib & less than an afterthought, when it’s expressed. Statements mentioning ‘being black’ seem sadly pandering, and forcibly convenient.
I would love to see her actually do more to elevate her image, in how it speaks to us and the world. Thankfully, she’s still a young woman and still has time–unfortunately, with each crime committed against our people–we do not have that same luxury.
Your close easing skills leave much much to be desired.
The lyrics and the video don’t have to be exactly the same. This is art! The visuals are just as important as the lyrics. If the lyrics were saying everything that was being portrayed in the video what would be the point of the video? You, clearly, like/need, words to express yourself. That is not the case when expressing yourself through a medium that allows you to transcend words. Your point is invalid.
You’re unfortunately missing most of it. The most poignant and culturally relevant line is easily: “When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster.” That you completely missed that this line conveys the same point as the visuals of the video shows that you only need a few really powerful lines. Suggesting that a line could merely reflect her personal experience, or personal braggadocio, or a Southern perspective, or from a poor background doesn’t negate the fact the images can also paint a powerful portrait for the intended audience.
This little blog post is kind of like saying “Waiting for Godot” isn’t one of the most profound examples of existential thought and art ever created… on paper it’s just a couple of guys waiting around, conversing.
I agree and appreciate this post. I am not a Stan of Beyoncé, nor do I dislike her. I can dig some of her songs. However, you, in my opinion, are correct. I think people heard New Orleans and formation and went ham. It’s a personal anthem of hers, like most of her songs lately. But is not an “us” anthem!!! For sure its not. You like it and can relate, great. However, this is “say it loud-I’m black and I’m proud!”
I think you’re reading way too much into her video. For one thing, she’s an artist who’s free to express herself–just as you have. For another it’s abstract art. If you fail to see the connection between the lyrics and the visuals, perhaps you have a hard time with abstract thinking.
Let me help you out: http://sarahratliff.com/beyonces-formation-is-apparently-too-abstract-for-many/
Actually, the point is that the video is NOT abstract and that coding the song feels off-kilter.
However, when you marry up the lyrics and the video, many folks–including the author of this blog–feel they don’t match. Hence the reference to it being too abstract. If it’s not obvious and hitting people over the heads, then it’s got to be pretty abstract.
I disagree completely. My article/blog deciphers everything
http://www.AnnaLytick.WordPress.com
Yeah, that pretty much says it all.Thank you for this post, seriously. I truly hope it spread and wake people up, because there are many that are completely lost. It’s so sickening to see people praising Beyonce as this leader of black pride. She is exploiting BLM to get cool points. Period.
Hmm. I feel like Beyonce creates music that is a voice for black women. “A” voice, not “the” voice because there are plenty of others in the conversation. Her songs become theme songs because many people can relate to them EVEN if they’re not Beyonce. I don’t rock Givenchy dresses, but whatever I rock slays. It’s confidence. And normally we (black women) are chastised for having it cause; why would we as black women have confidence when we’re not the mainstream ideal?? The mainstream CAN’T understand why any of us (even if it’s a few or the majority) would have that level of confidence when everyone else works on fitting in and we obviously don’t. The great part is that IT’S NOT LIMITED TO BEYONCE. Many of us are THIS CONFIDENT.
As a southerner, I also feel we get almost as much flack as being woman or black . . . all the stuff she talks about is real to me and I don’t carry hot sauce in my bag, but i get it. It’s like she knew what I was thinking as I was in London slaying on this bomb-ass trade mission I planned and hosted in my ‘cane rows’. So she is standing up for a small microcosm of black culture – a very Southern part of it that happens to be the one she grew up in. Again, we ain’t all the same, right? I don’t pretend I understand what growing up black in Hawaii is like, but I can support you if you did and you are proud of it, cause the confidence is real and that is just as much a part of the “black” experience as anything else.
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Her strategy is not a copy out, she is smart and knows how to play the game, and she’ s winning! #ladiesgetinformation
Anyone who agreed a with this is miserable. Y’all are reaching like hell.
It is a much easier thing to do, criticize and deconstruct, than it is to create and inspire. One must marvel at the ant’s eagerness to stand in the shade of the mountain and lob grains of sand.
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I think when it comes to music (art in general really) we have to consider the feelings invoked more than the actual content sometimes. This is one of those times. Because no matter how we rationalize or deconstruct the lyrics (and I agree w/the writer’s analysis) I FELT extremely proud of myself, Beyonce, and black folks in general…our struggle, strength & beauty in ALL its various forms. Be it hood & hot sauce swag or rage against the machine riot mode, I came away loving Us a Lil bit mo. We are all that (aaand a side of Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits ok! lol) Granted, this feeling is/was 90% imagery influenced. But, if I’m not mistaken, the song was released as a video, not an audio single, so the song & images are intrinsically linked. You can’t separate the two. Now, even listening alone, those images will be called up & arguably the same emotions. I don’t know bout yall but it made me feel a lil bout it too! Yet the powerful visual message guides that stirred up thugishness towards a spirit of black power/love/unity. And dare I say…revolution? We know our slave spirituals back in the day were cleverly coded means to dispense secret information regardless of the pain & suffering found in the lyrics. Just MAYBE this seemingly mismatched song & dance is saying (and stirring up) more than what Beyonce (or any artist so plugged into The Matrix) can “say”. I may be reaching but that’s just my 2 cents (and a quarter lol)
While listening I found myself hearing a different message I suppose…because for me it was “okay ladies it’s time to get Information! I felt more like doing better and trying harder versus feeling like having an opinion about whow she is. She said I am tired of this illuminati (blank) it’s time to get information.
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