On April 23, 2016, Beyoncé released "Lemonade," an album both empowering and ice cold. Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z, have been married since April 8, 2008.They share a wonderful daughter, Blue Ivy (age four). The Carters have seemingly been the most famous and most fabulous couple known to mankind for the last decade. However, not all is what it ever seems. The wedded couple experienced controversial situations in the last two years that led to allegations toward Jay-Z, for cheating on Beyonce. What were merely rumors spread around by social media and bloggers, took a surprising turn on the night "Lemonade" was released to the world.
The album is a story, which is paired with a complementary visual film Beyoncé created for each track that tied the narrative together. Multiple tracks on the album hold lyrics that straightforwardly accuse Jay-Z of cheating with a girl referred as "Becky with the Good Hair." The leading suspect of the role of "Becky" is a fashion designer, Rachel Roy. Roy is the ex-wife of Jay Z's former business partner Damon Dash.
There is no material evidence that Roy is the culprit of the affair. The information is kept completely private and confidential. Beyoncé, instead of attacking Roy (if she is a true contender) through the media or in person, decided to do what all great artists do and incorporate the experience into their work. The album contains varied concepts. The work is about betrayal, the process of mourning, infidelity, forgiveness, fame, and the trials of the black woman in America. Beyoncé created a work of art not just for herself but for the voice of all those who've been betrayed and suppression of the black woman.
So now, we are holding our breaths at the thought of Jay Z's reaction. An Interview with VF Hollywood reported that Jay-Z was involved in the creation process of "Lemonade" and supported Beyoncé completely. Jay-Z was aware of all the material Beyoncé was producing and approved every song himself. Jay-Z stated he agreed on Beyoncé creating art about the experience as a way of self-expression and coping. At the end of the day, they are both artists first. Jay-Z respects that and encourages his merciful wife.
What an album it is, and the film is absolutely gorgeous. I watched the movie at least three times all the way through, in a row, (it's an hour and 50 minutes long) and was exposed to something new and unique about Beyoncé's perspective and personal life. The lyrics are some that most everyone can relate to, they are completely on point with all the concepts she covered. There is anger, sadness, empathy, denial, confidence, and truth in Beyoncé's lyrics. With the visual album included, you can see exactly what the work is portraying, it is a wonderful treat from such a talented musician.
So, Beyoncé kills the music scene once again (big shock) manages to project a stance for an entire race of women, burn her alleged cheater into dust and make the culprit wish she had never been placed on this Earth. All without saying a word to anyone, losing her husband and dropping one of the most significant and valued albums of the year. We aren't even halfway through 2016. Only you Bey, only you.
Do yourself a favor and buy the album, watch the film and share it with everyone you know. It is art, a truly beautiful conversation and an awareness of topics that never touch the limelight. What I will never understand (never ever) is how anyone could ever possibly think they could do better than the Queen, like the rest of us aren't peasantry. The hilarious presumption that you could mess with Beyoncé and survive to tell the tale? To whoever this "Becky" really is, it was a good try. But no honey, not a chance in Hell. I hope you have a good hiding place girl, Bey's army is massive.
