Get in Formation With Queen Beyoncé
Black Lives Matter. Powerful words. Inspiring visuals. Three of an array of positive phrases that comes to mind on the topic of Miss Third Ward, Sasha Fierce, Yoncé - the Queen Beyoncé Knowles. Now I have been an AVID part of the BeyHive (just hearing the first 3 seconds of "Drunk in Love" sends me into a frenzy of devotion), but I don't think I have ever been more proud of her than I have this week.
On Saturday in her usual flawless*** fashion, she casually drops a new single titled Formation that has CHANGED THE GAME. The pro-black lyrics include "I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros. I like my Negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils.", "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.", "Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper" and the catchy chorus "OK, OK, ladies, now let's get in formation, 'cause I slay." This song was released one day after what would have been Trayvon Martin's 21st birthday, as well as one day before what would have been Sandra Bland's 29th birthday (two focal black Americans whose deaths and the hands of police officials have encouraged the Black Lives Matter Movement). Releasing a song that consciously addresses the struggle black Americans face in this country socially, politically, and economically is exactly the type of thing that this country, this world, and black individuals particularly have been expecting from such a revolutionary cultural icon. The song rightfully came out on February 6th, the beginning of Black History Month, which celebrates the contributions different black innovators and influencers have had on our culture and society.
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But beyond the beautiful lyrics was the astoundingly filmed and directed music video. Featured in this cinematographic masterpiece: natural 'fros and locs EVERYWHERE, Blue Ivy beaming with her beautiful afro out, set-up post-Katrina clips, all black dancers in an abandoned pool, all black dancers in an empty parking lot, Beyonce shaking her braids, a man holding up a newspaper with Martin Luther king Jr. on the cover, a little boy dancing his heart out in front of police officers who hold their hands up in the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" pose, graffiti that reads "Stop Shooting Us", and the finale which involves Beyoncé immersing herself in water atop a sinking police car. The video became a viral hit and has become more than form of entertainment, but a symbol of what this country can become once we reach past close-minded views on race.
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A day after Formation dropped, Bey performed at Super Bowl 50 with Coldplay and Bruno Mars. Decked in a black custom leather jacket with gold metal military details (paying homage to the late Michael Jackson), Beyoncé performed her new single with her backup dancers dressed in Black Panther-style berets and clad in black leather in a fierce and power-hungry spectacle with Bruno Mars and Coldplay lead Chris Martin. Of course, Beyoncé went all in with a formation "X" in honor of Malcolm X, beautifully choreographed dances moves, and even a dance battle against Bruno. The performance was also a nod to the 50th Anniversary of the Black Panthers Party, which was founded in Oakland, CA (less than 50 miles from the stadium where the Super Bowl was held). Her dancers were also seen paying homage to Mario Woods, a black man killed by San Franscico police.
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Immediately after the historic halftime show, Beyoncé released an advertisement for her upcoming Formation Tour. Shot in all black-and-white, we see intimate shots of bald eagles, lightning, fire, ocean waves, and Beyoncé feelin' herself with flowers in her mouth.
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I, for one, was fortunate enough to get tickets to her Chicago show on May 27th so stay tuned for a play-by-play of the tour in a few months! To watch her powerful music video, click here and to see the entire Super Bowl 50 halftime show, click here. Click here to see a list of her upcoming tour dates and to get tickets for her Formation Tour and click here to see her promo for her new tour.
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Are you as excited as we are about Beyonce's new tour? Let us know in the comments below!
