booklet.
King B has done it again, this time
catching fans off guard by dropping a full-length album with no promotion or
early single release. And I have to say I was one of the guilty few that bought
the album when I first woke up Friday morning without washing my face or
brushing my teeth. Was the album worth the early morning rush? I'm not quite
sure yet.
Titled simply "Beyonce," this
album takes on Mrs. Carter’s classic theme of female empowerment with sexy
twist, and when I say sexy I mean unadulterated sex. I guess after having Blue
Ivy she has no shame in showing more skin or talking openly about what her and
Jay-Z do between the sheets, in the kitchen or no floor or in their case on a
Warhol or Basquiat painting. This album isn’t for the young; it’s definitely
for a “grown woman.”
For this body of work, King B took a page
out of fellow Destiny Child member Kelly Rowland’s book, grinding on wood and
launching “rockets.” I would assume this is just another extension of her
independent woman mantra. Free thinking about
her femininity, sensuality, sexuality and mind. While I like Mrs.
Carter believe in that message, I wonder if the way in which she presented it
will be read the same by all listeners and in this case viewers as well.
Along with 14 songs are 17 videos. Each
takes on a different story line, some pertaining to the song and
others simply showing off visual artistry and what some may consider
couture fashion. I originally saw a body of mixed messages. At some points I
wasn't sure if I was getting female empowerment or
another misogynistic rap video. Now granted I would never accuse
Beyoncé of being misogynistic because I too like many other women emulate her
moves secretly getting a boost of confidence knowing that we can be like her.
But I have to wonder again if the 12-year-old me, 16-year-old me, or even the
21-year-old me, would see the message of the album or miss it all together. Or
maybe there is no message, but I doubt it knowing Mrs. Carter's track record
of calculation. Everything she does has a purpose and a plan, case and
point, her documentary "Life is But a Dream."
Besides the crazy dancing, 90's
flashbacks, body licking supermodels,
vomiting pageant queens, Grace Jones and Lady Gaga
look-a-likes she had great visually appealing videos to follow up an
always good body of work (album). My favorite videos were also to my favorite
songs thus far on the album. I loved "Blue" featuring Blue Ivy
because it's truly heart felt. We also get to see and hear little Blue too. I'm
also in love with "Superpower." Besides the fact that I think Frank
Ocean is a genius, I throughly enjoyed the video. It seemed like part II to
"Girls Run the World." The video featured guest star appearances by
Destiny Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, world tour mate Luke
James, album producer Pharrell Williams and what looks like a ski masked Ocean.
Then there's "Drunk in Love" featuring Jay-Z, which expresses how
things get when Beyoncé gets a few too many drinks in her system. The video is
shot in black and white and simply shows her and her man having a fun moment on
the beach. And my most favorite of all is "Pretty Hurts." Besides the
song having a powerful message, the video took pointers from TLC's
"Unpretty," showcasing the mental and physical torment women put on
themselves to fit society's unreachable image of perfection.
Over all the "Beyoncé" is
another classic Mrs Carter album. Despite my questioning, I have been bumping
the album non-stop since its purchase. . So listen, watch and fill free to judge, BEYONCÉ.
