Beyoncé - Formation

AJ Vogt
Feb 14, 2016
3 min read

There has been a lot of controversy lately surrounding Beyonce's Super Bowl 50 Halftime show appearance and the recent release of her music video of "Formation." Many people, of all races, gender, etc., are supportive of the performance and the music video and many are not. So what really is the issue? Here are some of my personal thoughts.

Before taking a look at the video as well as the performance at halftime, I think it would be ideal to take a look at the lyrics of the song itself. The song has very strong feminist roots in it's lyrics. The song also expresses a lot of personal lyrics, which I think leave a much different taste in the reader's mouth than the video.

First,

My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama

Speaks directly to Beyonce's parents and the stereotype of her identity. Also,

I see it, I want it, I stunt, yellow-bone it I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it

Beyonce is identifying that she has earned the empire she has created through hardwork and dedication and no one can take that away. Yet as she has worked so hard, she still faces the stereotypes of being a black woman. She also knows that being a powerful black women in society, she will come under attack at times,

You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper.

Now, switching gears and looking at the music video. I believe this is what got the controversy started. Throughout the video, There are scenes of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a small black boy in front of a line of police officers, typical southern society and even Beyonce in plantation-clothing. This video really made her song come to life. Yes, it is a little overboard, but Beyonce has the platform to achieve this and get the message out there that there is still large amounts of injustice in America. I think that Beyonce is capitalizing on the present situation in America, taking that situation, and using the platform that she has created, over many years, to make public not only the difficulties of a black woman today, but also the many stereotypes they are faced with, for example with this lyric:

Earned all this money but they never take the country out me I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag

Again, switching gears to the Super Bowl half time show. Beyonce appears on the field with her dancers. There is a lot of drama surrounding the outfits that Beyonce and her back up dancers wore, stating they look like they are supporting the Black Panther Movement. To be honest, when I was watching the half time show during the Super Bowl that thought never even crossed my mind. What did cross my mind was "how can she do all of those moves and sing and dance on the slippery field where the players kept falling and not fall?" Beyonce's outfit could also be a tribute to Michael Jackson's outfit at the Super Bowl XXVII.

The performance at the Super Bowl may also not have been received well because, stereotypically, football is watched by men and Beyonce explicitly states in "Formation" that she has made all her money, she buys what she wants, and she'll even take her "man" on her helicopter to go shopping. These types of lyrics may not have been received will with conservative men watching the performance.

Overall, I think Beyonce's new song was meant to stir up some conversation and that is what it did. Beyonce is far from stupid and she has created an entire industry around her, essentially earning it all herself. She knows that she is in a position to make issues apparent in mainstream media. Her lyrics and video pull from her own personal roots as well as many south society roots, of which she was apart of. Below is her music video as well as half time performance. Give it a look and then let your mind do some wandering.