I don’t even know how to begin this post. I’m not sure if I should address the new song and video that “randomly” dropped on Saturday or if I should address how brilliant Beyoncé (and team) are when we realized that it wasn’t random at all. Should I talk about that Super Bowl performance and how badly I wish she’d take Bruno Mars and Coldplay on tour with her this summer? I’d love to see more mashups between her and Bruno, and her friendship with Chris Martin always brings a smile to my face. Oh yeah, if you’re living under a rock she’s going on a stadium tour this summer…without having dropped an album. Only Beyoncé y’all, only Bey.
Okay, I was at home relaxing before my girls night out when I checked Twitter and saw that Beyoncé dropped a new song and video on Tidal and that the song was even available to be downloaded for free to people who aren’t even subscribed to the streaming service. I immediately checked Tidal for the video (shout out to Taylor for the 60 day trial) and watched it twice in a row. The first time was for the shock factor, I couldn’t believe she was dropping new music “out of the blue” like that. The second time I actually paid attention to the lyrics and visual message of the video. She and her husband have been actively involved in the BLM movement for awhile, but I feel like this song and video took it to another level. Her debunking the Illuminati mess and saying that she can be a “Black Bill Gates in the making” and so can you! There’s positive body image messages all throughout the song and I love it! People often talk about her husband and his nose but she told y’all that she loves her “negro nose” and his “Jackson 5 nostrils”. Come thru, hun! People also love bashing her daughter’s natural hair, but Beyoncé politely informed y’all that she likes her “baby hair with baby hair and (an) afro” so shut it up! The imagery in the video is so powerful! She was donned what I assume was her take on a proper leotard and performed in a Victorian-esque home in Louisiana and even donned a gorgeous black gown and posted up outside the home. I could go deep into how is a blatant symbolism of the abuse and rape slaves who were fair skinned were treated, but I’m not going to do that on this post. The little boy dancing in front of officers in full riot gear and then the officers being shown in a surrendering position with their hands up at the end almost brought tears to my eyes. The use of the NOPD car was a nod to Katrina, in fact the voiceovers in the background are from an independent film about New Orleans that was recently submitted to Sundance. The tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina affected so many people and Beyoncé gave back in many ways.
Okay, now to the Super Bowl performance. This woman performed with a slew of background dancers and a band in Black Panther get ups and I screamed when I saw it! She said Cam Newton and his teammates weren’t going to be the only Black Panthers on that field that day. Y’all, she said “negro” on live TV. Did you catch that? Because if you didn’t you should watch the performance again. She sang and dance her behind off, and almost fell but recovered before hitting the ground. She gave that performance her all and then had a dance battle with Bruno Mars (who also had an amazing Super Bowl performance) and finishing strong with Chris Martin and the rest of Coldplay.
Oh, and just when you thought it was over she hit us with the world tour announcement. Yes, you read that correctly. She hasn’t released an album since 2014 but is going on a world tour this summer. Slay Queen Bey! Pre-sale starts in certain cities tomorrow, but Houston’s doesn’t start until next Monday. Shout out to my client acknowledging Presidents’ Day as a holiday, I’ll be home and in the online queue at Ticketmaster bright and early. She’ll be here in early May and I will be there in floor seats. If you want to go, let me know now.
Did y’all see last night’s performance? What did you think of it and the song? Do you plan on going to the show this summer? Comment below and let me know.