Lately, Queen B seems to be taking over the US and, quite frankly, the world. With the release of her new single "Formation" and her announcement of her world tour, it seems that nothing could stop her. I've seen people rant on Facebook and online about how much they don't approve of her Super Bowl performance, or how her attitude toward the racism in this country has come out in her interviews and music. Frankly, I don't have a single problem with her music. I love Beyonce's music, but I don't like Beyonce.
When I was in second grade, Destiny's Child was on the radio. I was jamming to "Say my Name" and "Survivor". By the time I was in middle school, I was singing Beyonce, the solo artist's, songs. There seems to be a stark contrast between "Irreplacable" and "If I Were a Boy" to her song "Formation" though. The music has shifted from something that I would listen to when my high school boyfriend broke up with me, to something that would be remixed at a club. Don't get me wrong, I still like the music. I just don't understand what happened to the Beyonce that sang the lyrics, "Thank God you blew it / I thank God I dodged the bullet / I'm so over you / Baby good lookin' out" to singing "When he f*&# me good I take his a!@ to Red Lobster / 'cause I slay"
We get it, you are BEYONCE. There is no other Beyonce, but what is that? It's not relatable anymore. Also, Beyonce has been very open about her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, and that's always confused me. I don't really understand what, or who, Sasha is. The old Beyonce wrote her music. She was independent and wrote about her feelings and experiences. She even wrote Destiny's Child's music and it doesn't seem like that Beyonce is writing music anymore. In "Formation" she even addresses the rumors of the Illuminati, which is an idea completely fueled by the press and fans. Her attitude rubs me the wrong way. I feel like as a woman that so many young girls look up to and someone who is in such a global spotlight, her attitude is incredibly cocky. I understand, she is Beyonce and she has created beautiful and powerful music, but I miss the humility. I don't like her approach to herself and for the first time since I started listening to her music, I've noticed it and I'm incredibly disappointed.
There are a lot of musicians like that today. There is a draw to self confidence, but eventually, it is overrun by pride. I think a large part of the draw to Justin Bieber when he came out and apologized was how humble he was when he came back into the public spotlight. His humility and genuine attitude drew back a fan base and a wave of new fans who were attracted to the clarity and vulnerability he displayed to the public. I'm not saying Beyonce needs to apologize for anything in particular; I just think there's something there that is pushing me and many other people away. Just because someone is famous does not mean that they can do whatever they want.
