Beyonce is praised for her ability to embrace and harness the power of race and making a name. In the time of Black Lives Matter and the Black Lives Matter Movement, many believe that the song ‘Formation” was absolutely necessary. It made a powerful impact. This song helped people feel less alone and kept their hope alive during a time when they were in need. Beyonce’s clip highlights racist stereotypes against African Americans. She does not hide behind stereotypes but embraces them and encourages others to do so. Formation is about being proud of one’s blackness and self-identity.
Beyonce released ‘Formation,’ the lead single from her Lemonade Album on 6th February 2016 via Parkwood Entertainment. Beyonce’s Lemonade Album was released in February 2016. Her audience thought that she had become more humane and relatable. After the release, she is seen as a figure that cannot be touched. But after ‘Formation’ was released, many began to see how she struggled like anyone else with her identity and race. Beyonce’s music video, and the anti-police attitude she takes are cited as reasons why many believe her lyrics do not show sensitivity to traumatized survivors. Beyonce, however, denied these accusations and was praised for her ability to inspire younger generations of women who are struggling with their identities. After her performance in the Super Bowl Half Time Show, there was a lot of dissension. Many people thought the Super Bowl was only a football game, not a platform for political messages. Others, however disagreed. They believed Beyonce embodied everything that the Black Lives Matters movement is about.
Colorblind cultures idealize race in terms of aesthetic appearance as well as cultural displays. Some people think that the shift in societal values to multiracialism makes it time to stop using race as an indicator of social status. A “Black Liberation’s” many offshoots include a greater understanding of what it is to be black. Beyonce’s Lemonade Album and its imagery celebrate the use of black cultures to appeal black audiences. Beyonce’s celebration of black culture uses “what scholars call black “signifiers” — vernaculars and visuals generally associated with the black community. One such signifier is the afro-hairstyles in the video. Beyonce’s embrace of feminist blackness came at a time when it was sensitive. Her lyrics and appearance revealed the dynamic between power, race and gender.
Beyonce begins the song by calling out “y’all haters corny” for her popular Illuminati theories. Beyonce continues by saying “my momma Louisiana, my daddy Alabama”, to show her pride as a Black American who has roots from both Alabama AND Louisiana. Beyonce’s lyrics are a reflection of her family, her heritage and her own fame. Beyonce emphasizes the importance of black empowerment through her acceptance of cultural differences and embracing “flaws” that are African American.
The video shows Beyonce with black men dressed in suits. They are accompanied by “rhythmical bouncing” black bodies, which is meant to represent slavery and African Americans’ fight for freedom. Beyonce appears on top of the police car, surrounded by rising floodwaters. Beyonce, seated on a police cruiser, submerges the car to symbolize the importance of black women in the history of political movements. We are displaying our strength, resilience and willingness to die for black brothers, children and husbands. This image shows an African American boy disarming the policemen with dance. It also features a graffiti message demanding that the officers “stop firing us” while the boy is standing in front the police. The Black Lives Matter Movement is represented by this imagery, which addresses campaigns against violence as well as racism.
The song starts off with the voice Messy Mya. Messy Mya was a New Orleans comedian who was murdered in her early twenties. Her question is heard several different ways. Sample “has been construed in a number ways, from ‘What’s happened at New ‘Wilin’s” or ‘What’s happened after New Orleans”, emphasising Beyonce’s black southern-pride message”. Beyonce praises the beauty of colored women in the video’s first minute. Blue Ivy’s afro, and Kool Aid-colored hair weave are used to represent her daughter. The lyrics of “I Like My Baby Hair, With Baby Hair and Afros”, suggest the idea that different black styles and dresses can be educational technologies. The video shows a variety of hairstyles including nappy, afros and cornrows. The hairstyles celebrate the feeling of togetherness when there is no organized black political discourse. She has negro nostrils, and the “Jackson 5 noses”, which many people still denigrate today. Beyonce expresses black women’s strength, beauty, and power through her lyrics “I Dream it, Work Hard, Grind Until I Own It, I Twirl On The Haters”. She does so by emphasizing “the continual life-and -death battle for survival and Liberation”. Beyonce uses her lyrics to empower women and encourage them to work hard for their dreams. She urges women to “get organized” and fight the discrimination and sexism they face on a daily basis.
While “Formation” is not a perfect example of feminism, it does reflect the different ways that feminism can be applied in everyday life. Beyonce celebrated black women’s victories in an era when white feminism, mainstream media and the mainstream often dismissed them. Her recent Netflix release of ‘Homecoming,’ is an excellent example. Beyonce takes pride in her black feminine identity and all of the things that go with it. She also inspires others to embrace their own. Beyonce’s “I slay” and “I slay OK”, as well as the lyrics of We gon’ Slay, slay We slay Okay, unifies black women by highlighting the idea of an ethnically authentic moving assembly. The album’s music videos and accompanying lyrics lead to conversations about marriage, motherhood reproductive justice and queer/trans politics. Beyonce was able to “create narratives and metaphors which hit home for black women and trans who are still trying break free from the generational suffering brought on by slavery, misogynoir, and imperialism” and this helped young black women unpack their traumas. People claim that “black women should be encouraged to use sexuality to explore new genders and identities and to create unexpected alliances”. Beyonce insists that a black feminist must be “gracious” and “your paper is the best revenge”. She stresses that one should never apologize about their race or gender, and they should always remain empowered.
Beyonce, a black woman of color, is often considered a symbol and spokesman for power. Her lyrics are a powerful way to inspire hope. Beyonce is an icon of black strength, as she can bring people of different races together and can also hold an audience. Beyonce, who is powerful and fierce, sings “I may just be a new Bill Gates”. This song shows her wealth. It also proves that a woman of color can be as wealthy as a man from another race. She thinks she has power to change things because she is aware that people will listen. Beyonce has been a pop icon for a long time because of her belief that women are capable of running the world. She constantly praises women, and acknowledges their beauty, strength, and integrity. Her lyrics and her messages onstage support and applaud the female community’s intelligence, strength and independence.
Beyonce was a cultural influence, an artist, and an icon. Her song ‘Formation’showed that. She is always in touch with the currents of her generation. This is different from many pop stars of today. She is influenced by world events and tries to bring about change through her performances and lyrics. Beyonce accentuates her success as a professional while simultaneously highlighting ethnic-feminism.
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