Beyonce's post-election notice Beyonce` made me shake my head after election night when she updated her Tumblr and new Instagram account with a photo of a hand-written note that read “TAKE THAT MITCHES” (the photo has since been removed). I was happy to see President Obama re-elected like any other supporter, but I found the posting to be in poor taste. It’s one thing to express elation, but once you use the competitor’s name or image (especially as a replacement for the expletive “bitches”), it becomes personal and more like an attack or insult, versus an endorsement for someone else. Had Romney won and someone posted something similar about Barack Obama, it would be deemed arrogant, disrespectful and perhaps racist depending on the wording. Also, Beyonce` has to keep in mind that she is a public figure with a diverse fan-base. She clearly didn’t consider how her fans who voted for Romney would feel. No, I’m not suggesting that she keep her political views quiet; I’m suggesting that she keep it classy. There was no need to gloat or disrespect the governor in order to celebrate. What do you all think?
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LOL!!! Ok, NOT really. Some friends of mine & I were being silly and started coming up with color names if Beyonce` were to come out with a Crayon set. What names can you come up with?
It's a wrap: Clint Eastwood & Beyonce` Today is definitely a “Seriously, Beyonce`, WTH?!” moment. MTV reports that Beyonce` confirmed to E! News on October 9th that she will NOT be filming the 3rd remake of the classic film “A Star is Born” with director/actor Clint Eastwood due to scheduling conflicts saying, "I was looking forward to the production of 'A Star Is Born' and the opportunity to work with Clint Eastwood. For months we tried to coordinate our schedules to bring this remake to life but it was just not possible. Hopefully in the future we will get a chance to work together." Now, most of the BeyHive (the pop culture name for Beyonce’s fanbase) is unbothered by the news, but I AM. I’m beyond pissed. I don’t know what Beyonce` has her calendar full with, but she needs to make filming this movie a priority. She needs to make it happen. Dropping out this project IS A HUGE MISTAKE. Starring in this film is a monumental opportunity that could further solidify Beyonce’s staying-power and garner the respect from the film industry she desires. Not only was she a 1st choice hand-pick for Eastwood, a celebrated, Academy Award-winning actor and director, but she would be walking in the footsteps of legendary predecessors Judy Garland (1954 remake) and Barbara Streisand, who starred in the 1976 reincarnation with Kris Kristofferson. Smell the epic, yet? Add a potential Oscar nomination (assuming Beyonce` gets her acting game up; she’s said in previous interviews that she’s hungry for a nod) and the pivotal impact of the songstress being a woman of color in this role and it seems that much more ridiculous that the project would be bypassed. Perhaps Beyonce` needed the producers or film studio to wait longer than they were willing; they already made concessions during her pregnancy in 2011. No matter what the case, I don’t feel like she fought hard enough to stay involved. I could be wrong, but I just feel like scheduling could’ve been worked out. What is she thinking?
In short, Beyonce’s lyrics are simplistic and arguably immature compared to Carey’s emotive, reflective pieces, clever puns and expansive vocabulary and the fact that Beyonce` primarily targets women seems excluding in comparison to Carey’s wider appeal (the keyword being ‘seems’). This discussion highlighted what I feel to be an important central issue in Beyonce’s work: her projects aren’t always a testament to her ability and talent. As bees, we’ve paid close attention to every performance and song and are keenly aware of her abilities. We know she can SANG; we know she’s a skilled technician with a wide range. We know she can write great songs; she penned the beautiful and romantic song, “Dangerously in Love” as a teen. We know she’s a great performer; most doubters become believers after seeing a live performance (see “10 Live Signs Beyonce` is Everything” here). We know she’s studied from all the right musical bibles, claiming to be heavily inspired by Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Prince, Josephine Baker, Broadway musicals & the aforementioned Ms. Carey. The problem is that we know this as BEES and dedicated fans. From the outside looking in, Beyonce` can and has been deemed as just another beautiful, fairly entertaining pop singer with nothing to offer but catchy songs. By breaking down her discography with constructive criticism, I hope to be able to give insight on why some people aren’t all the way sold on our queen diva. The Destiny’s Child Era First, I would like to say that it grinds my gears when people disrespect or disregard the members of Destiny’s Child or this portion of Beyonce’s career. One’s past is just as important as one’s present. To fully understand an artist’s growth, all must be taken into account. The ‘DC’ era was a pivotal time in Beyonce’s career. Part of the reason why her solo debut was so successful was because audiences were already acquainted with her and she, along with her group-mates, had established herself as a positive role model for youth and an advocate for female empowerment. We’re talking about one of the biggest-selling girl groups of ALL TIME here. Vocally, Destiny’s Child’s harmonies were flawlessly gorgeous and shined even more during acapella performances. Considering their age at the time of first album (17), their vocal cohesion was particularly impressive. Destiny’s Child (the self-titled debut, 1998) This was a great, classic, 90’s R&B album. By classic, I mean timeless. I can listen to this album now in 2012 and it sounds just as great; not dated. What’s fascinating, hilarious and somewhat uncomfortable is the see-saw between mature and age-appropriate content; for example, the sultry “Second Nature” (which uses an Isley Brothers sample) versus the youthful “No, No, No Pt. 2.” The production sounded a little cheap, by the harmonies were great and the writing was there. Fantastic debut. Grade: A, Favorites: Second Nature, Bridges, My Time Has Come The original DC at age 18. The Writing’s on the Wall (1999) The highest-selling DC album in America, “The Writing’s on the Wall” is clearly everyone’s favorite. With successful hit-singles like “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Say My Name,” WOTW put DC on the map, but that’s where the issue with the record lies for me. Featuring every hot R&B producer on the block then, it was obvious WOTW was designed for commercial success. There’s nothing wrong with seeking such out, but it’s a problem when that’s the primary goal and artistry is second. The album was so over-produced; beat heavy and noisy with too many effects. Lyrically, the ladies had more creative input, but struggled to keep the balance the first album presented between mature and youthful. It was like they wanted to sound grown up (ex. The scandalous, soap-opera storylines in “Confessions” & “If You Leave”), but just couldn’t help but be 18 (whining about your boyfriend ‘taking too long to call you’ on “Hey Ladies”). With the album centered around “dating commandments,” the quartet quickly got (unfairly) pegged as ‘male-bashers.’ The vocals were still on point; the arrangements were slightly more intricate. Grade: C+, Favorites: So Good, BugABoo, Where’d You Go, Sweet 16 Survivor (2001) Post being burned at the stake for allegedly being misandrous and legal troubles with 2 original members who left the group (Letoya Luckett & Latavia Roberson), DC had their engines revved up. Beyonce` had the opportunity to write and produce on all the tracks. Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams only had writing credit on one song, which didn’t help diffuse the perception that Beyonce` was a diva favored by her manager/father. “Survivor” added fuel to the group’s commercial fire, being a core-pop crossover album. Again, commercial curiosity kind of killed the cat. The production was still beat-heavy with cartoonish, theatrical effects. The writing was great in that it was full of positive messages about self-esteem, identity, independence, cherishing life and healthy relationships, but the approach to these messages only gave room for young people to identify with them. Grade: B-, Favorites: Bootylicious, Independent Women I/II, Emotion, Happy Face, Dangerously in Love Destiny Fulfilled (2004) You know, it’s quite sad that “Destiny Fulfilled” was Destiny’s Child’s last album, because the group was just starting to get good artistically. With a clear platform (female empowerment), a trademark sound and personal growth (all 3 ladies had done 1 solo project, 2 were in serious relationships at the time), DC delivered their best album yet. A musical illustration of a woman who emerged whole after losing her identity in a crumbling relationship, “Destiny Fulfilled” was an enhanced version of their debut. Smooth vocals and dramatic, sexy production was matched with sophisticated, adult and expressive lyrics. Listening to this record, I really wonder how they would’ve progressed afterward. Sometimes I think they disbanded too early. Grade: A, Favorites: Free, If, Girl, Gots My Own (Japanese bonus track), Lose My Breath I’ve found that anyone who’s skeptical about Beyonce` as an artist often becomes a believer after seeing a performance. She has many fantastic live appearances, but here are 10 that I find to be representative of her vocal ability, versatility and talent. Halo- 2008 or 2009. Beyonce` live and unplugged. Excellent showcase of her raw vocals. The Beautiful Ones/Sex on Fire-Glastonbury 2011 Her powerful and emotive rendition of a Prince classic and a Kings of Leon hit is a great testament to Beyonce’s versatility genre-wise. It stirs me every time. I go to another place when I hear this. Star Spangled Banner-2004 Superbowl This performance is great, not because it’s the coveted Superbowl national anthem spot, but because she didn’t ruin it by over-singing as anticipated. I thought Bey was going to do a lot of vocal acrobatics because she has a tendency for it and every Superbowl singer does so in an attempt to match the greatness of Whitney Houston’s appearance, but Bey was smart enough to realize the best way to remotely reach Whitney was to scale back and keep it classy. All bias aside, Bey’s interpretation of the U.S. national anthem was the closest to Whitney’s since. This moment was especially memorable for fans as Bey won her first round of multiple Grammys that same month. Why Don’t You Love Me?-Glastonbury 2011 “Why Don’t You Love Me?” is one of Beyonce’s most underrated songs. The harmonies are terrific on the studio version, and the lyrics are great and relatable to many. In her 1st performance of this song, Bey is soulful, vivacious and takes us to church. I love the unfiltered energy and love the band even more. Her all-female band shows out. Love On Top-MTV Video Music Awards 2011 This performance got a lot of attention because she revealed her baby bump for the 1st time publicly, but the bump wasn’t the only star in this show. Her vocals are INSANE here. Towards the end of the song, the chorus is repeated with quick, modulating key changes, which is very difficult to sing as the notes are high and maintaining breath and correct pitch is tasking. With not as much as a neck vein showing, Bey effortlessly delivers. In 2014, it will be 10 years since the release of Destiny's Child's last album "Destiny Fulfilled." If we submit a petition now, we might be able to marry the anniversary with a long-awaited reunion. If you loved their records and miss seeing them on stage, go ahead and click the photo below to sign my petition :) This petition will be sent to all three ladies' management. THANKS! ;)
Straight from Beyonce` and Jay-z!!! The couple started a site (http://helloblueivycarter.tumblr.com/) for the baby, complete with a personal message, TODAY!! Congrats to all the uncle and auntie bees!!! *bawls crying* LOOT AT HER!!!
Since Beyonce’s history making performance at the Glastonbury Festival in Europe and the release of the much anticipated “Live at Roseland,” I’ve had many online debates with my honeycomb and the Beyhive in general about what the best concert DVD is. So, I’ve done a comparison. Beyonce` in Wembley This concert is the forgotten child of the Beyonce` DVDs; people don’t talk about it much with the exception of a few performances (ex. ‘Fever’ & ‘Summer-time’). While it didn’t suck, it was apparent that Beyonce` wasn’t used to touring solo just yet (it was filmed during the ‘”Dangerously in Love” era), seeming a little shy and hesitant. The shyness was adorable, however, and it’s a great testament to her growth as a performer looking back. Had she been a little more confident and made use of a live band more so than a DJ, the DVD would be perfect. Grade: D+ The Beyonce` Experience TBE is the clear favorite of bees on Twitter (just looking at the discussion some fans have had since Roseland), and I could see why. Eye-catching with a consistent theme, but not overly extravagant, everything from the vocals, creative direction and set design was just right. The creative direction was imaginative, entertaining and amplified the lyrical content of the B’Day album, using older theatrical references, like “Chicago” (Ring the Alarm), Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” (Dreamgirls) and a diverse blend of other notes (hip-hop, Latin & reggae). Also, Beyonce’s interpolation of out-of-genre music (i.e. Prince & Jill Scott) into her own songs was a great touch. Beyonce’s look was alluringly glamorous, yet natural. Her sassy, yet sweet energy was probably the most appealing part of the DVD; she appeared to be unwaveringly happy and comfortable, which made her very accessible. Perhaps she was so jovial because her best friends and future husband were in the house (Destiny’s Child & Jay-z both performed) and it just so happened to be her 26th birthday, but she was infectious. TBE was a big, inviting party for the BeyHive and was absolutely flawless. Grade: A I Am Yours…Las Vegas What I LOVE about Vegas was that it showed a different side of Beyonce` as a performance artist. Deemed by some as just another gyrating pop-star only capable of big-arena shows with shallow music, pyrotechnics and over-the-top theatrics, Vegas proved that Beyonce` could give an intimate, scaled-back, sophisticated concert worthy of Barbara Streisand; jazz-interludes and all. Highlighting the poignant adult-contemporary content from “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” I feel this show was designed to be a stark contrast from the brassiness seen on the following “I Am…World Tour” and cater to the new audience brought in from hits like “Halo” & “If I Were a Boy.” The bonus features were fantastic, dispelling any questions as to whether Beyonce is actively involved in every aspect of her career and performance. The only downside to Vegas is that her energy was very contrived. Having to put the show together in a short time, she seemed to be stressed and heavily concentrating on perfection. Some moments came off as if she was “trying too hard.” She didn’t seem relaxed or comfortable. All in all, a very classy show that was an excellent appetizer for its successor. Grade: B+ I Am…World Tour After the healthy aforementioned appetizer that was Vegas, fans couldn’t wait to see the heavily-Youtubed tour that broke ticket-sale records in South America. As irony would have it, the DVD failed to match the excitement and hype. Designed to be both a concert and documentary, behind-the-scenes clips were in between music. The clips were interesting, but they were jaggedly edited in such a way that they seemed interruptive and kept the DVD from feeling like a concert. Numbers were shortened and song transitions were left out, preventing the audience from being able to connect with Beyonce’s or the boisterous crowd’s energy. Many fans, like myself, who saw the very dramatic and theatrical show firsthand felt that the DVD didn’t do the actual concert justice. The religious experience that is a Beyonce` show didn’t come across the screen well. The promotional ABC Thanksgiving special for this DVD was 20 times better. I personally have only watched this DVD 3 times since I purchased it. Seeing as how it was the 1st major tour film since The Beyonce` Experience, IAWT left fans disappointed and with hunger pains. Grade: C- Live at Roseland: Elements of 4 Okay, I’ll likely have some bees in angry disagreement with me, but Roseland was only great because it had the new “4” material and some great personal footage included. The 1st hour was a wash for anyone who saw Vegas because Beyonce` used the EXACT same monologue and set-list. The 2nd hour (music from ‘4’) omitted the 3 additional songs from the deluxe edition and featured colorless and simplistic vocal/band arrangements (with the exception of a few songs). Beyonce’s energy was warm, the crowd was entertaining by themselves and the home video footage had an intimate feel, but Roseland isn’t a DVD I would want to watch repeatedly. Even the behind-the-scenes footage was a cheap tease, functioning like a trailer. The BTS for the music videos was more interesting. If I could match Bey’s Roseland energy with the Vegas performance quality, it would be ideal. Grade: C- Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury was the best concert NOT on DVD that Beyonce` has given. Aired on a BBC live internet stream, Glastonbury was everything you could want from Beyonce`. It was already exciting because Bey was the first female AND pop artist to headline the rock festival in over a decade, but her vivacious, high-octane performance coupled with fiery and enticing band arrangements sent the emotion through a memorable roof. Although the set-list included only 1 song from her sophomore album, “B’Day,” there wasn’t much left to be desired with songs previously not performed (ex. “Why Don’t You Love Me”) and AMAZING covers (ex. Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones”). Considering how AWESOME it was, it was part of the catalyst for this comparison. Fans seemed to love “A Night with Beyonce,” also shown in Europe, but in my opinion it was just a fan-involved, watered down version of Glastonbury and the BeyHive was only crazy about it because of it’s beautiful Elizabethan-themed aesthetic. Grade: A What do you think of my grades? Official statement from Beyonce` & Jay-z: "Hello Hello Baby Blue! We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012. Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful; we are in heaven. She was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives. We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support.-Beyonce` & Jay-Z" (Beyonceonline.com) Ever since our “Queen Bee” Beyonce` announced her pregnancy on national television during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, the beehive has been a buzz and eagerly anticipating the arrival of the little one. Well, the baby is finally here and hip-hop mogul father, Shawn Carter (A.K.A. Jay-Z), didn’t waste any time to record a tribute. Earlier today, the track “Glory” surfaced on the internet with “B.I.C.” (the child’s initials) listed as a feature. Sweet, profound and very personal, Jay-z offers details about the events surrounding the child’s conception and implies that Beyonce` may have suffered a miscarriage previously: “Last time the miscarriage was so tragic, we was afraid you’d disappear, But naw baby, you magic…you don’t yet know what swag is, but you was made in Paris and Mama woke up the next day and shot her album package.” You can hear the entire song in the video below. :) I’m so happy & excited I can’t stand it!!!! Could the “IV” in “Ivy” be another four reference? Hmmmm… ;) We’re all uncles and aunties, bees! :) Click the photo above to sign the baby book that I will send off to Beyonce`. |
Seriously Beyonce`, WTH?!?Most people figure out pretty quickly that I LOVE Beyonce`. She is my queen diva of choice. But every now and then, she does something that irritates or perplexes me. Here, I tell what's been buggin me about the Bee lately (with reviews and love for the Queen Bee in between). Archives
June 2018
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