Beyonce Just Destroyed Every Hater She's Ever Had
Remember that [wo]men can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as they can from a lack of bread. - Richard Wright (Native Son)
If you haven't heard... Beyonce just dropped a video for her new single "FORMATION.”
If you haven't watched it yet... you must do so immediately.
Beyonce has just destroyed every hater she's ever had.
It’s probably fair to say that many of us have been a Beyonce hater at some point in our lives. Outside of the hardcore stans in the "BeyHive," Beyonce hasn't always been someone that we love to love. Strangely enough, the criticism she's gotten has hardly ever been about her singing or dancing. There’s no denying that she's always been a world-class entertainer. She's always put on an amazing show. But there are those of us who would sometimes shrug at the summation of her art. The themes got a bit repetitive. The vibe was starting to feel a little empty and old hat. Not to mention that black folks always wanna see influential people like Beyonce and Jay-Z doing more for the community than they presently do. It’s not necessarily their fault, it’s really just that there’s so many people out here that need help. The court of public opinion is especially harsh in the post-Twitter era. And when you’re dealing with the unfiltered observations of Black Twitter, it can be especially difficult to pass the “we love you no matter what” test.
But then Beyonce dropped FORMATION...
And all was forgiven.
And we'll never be able to look at her the same way again.
And I mean that in all the best ways possible.
Just watch it.
If you've already seen it... watch it again. Then reread the quote at the beginning of this post.
Beyonce has something to say to EVERYONE in this video. It would actually take a semester long seminar at a top HBCU (Historically Black College or University, i.e. - Hampton University) to dissect the cultural enormity of this video. Ta-Nehisi Coates and Bell Hooks would have to be joint lecturers. I’d tag along as an unpaid teaching assistant just so I could hear the discussion in person. And it would have to be streamed online for the entire world to see.
Does that seem like a bit much?
Not to me. It sounds just right.
Honestly, IMHO…
FORMATION is already on the short list of best music videos of all time.
Yes.
FORMATION IS ONE OF THE BEST MUSIC VIDEOS OF ALL TIME.
Sorry, Kanye. Single Ladies is cool... but FORMATION is one of the best music videos of all time.
Blackness. Capitalism. Celebrity. Civil rights. Cultural appropriation. Eurocentric beauty standards. Hurricane Katrina. Identity politics. Illuminati allegations. Negritude. Patriarchy. Police brutality. Racism. Systemic poverty. Systemic violence.
These are just some of the topics that are deftly addressed in FORMATION. The video has taken America by the collar and said "Here. Take this. Watch it. Swallow it. This is all your shit."
FORMATION is going to be some of the best art that 2016 will have to offer. It will likely rival any work, in any medium, on any platform.
The execution is flawless.
The authenticity is astounding.
The blackness is undeniable.
And it makes me especially proud that a black woman is at the helm of it all.
Actually… you know what… fuck all this tip toeing.
I’m just gonna be the first one to say it...
FORMATION is the BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF ALL TIME.
The End.
PS - Damn, Bey. Welcome back.