Question about Formation.

[Brian Ryan 1,468]

13 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

As long as you understand my opinion, it's fine.

It's just I think it's important to separate song and video seeing as some music videos barely resemble the song's lyrics or message sometimes (I mean, we are Gaga fans, we should relate to that). Not just talking about Formation, but I've seen other people become too focused on what the video's saying as opposed to what the audio's saying. When Beyonce introduced the song to us, she had the whole Black Panther thing going on, so it was easy to think it was more about race than it actually was. But if we had the song in purely audio form beforehand with no visuals, we'd have a very different message. That's all I'm saying.

That's a good way of putting it. I think when it comes to writing an empowerment song for the people, it has to be indirect, so everyone can relate, otherwise, it's not doing its job. Focus too much on your personal experiences, and it's like you're not making this song for the right reasons. If you want to write a self-celebration song, just make one - don't dress it up as something's it's not. I actually applaud specifics in songs in general (songs should be personal and not relatable to everyone) but if your aim is to make an empowerment anthem, it has to include everyone and your ego should be dropped. I'm not averse to singing along to self-congratulatory lyrics that I can't relate to but only if it's a song that's honest in its intentions as a celebration of the artist. If it's trying to masquerade as a song for everyone to relate to, then I've got problems with it. If Formation was marketed simply as a Beyonce song, I wouldn't have as much to say. But because she's claiming it's a song for all black people when it's obviously nothing but a self-congratulation ego trip, I have major issues. Besides, Beyonce isn't exactly known for intelligent lyrics (and she gets most of her songs ghost written anyway). I don't think she has the ability to sing intellectually about race issues, so this is the best she can do. There have been songs that deal with race issues so much more intelligently but they don't get noticed. Instead, this one is held up as a racial empowerment anthem for the youth of today. Speaking as a white person, I'd say the black community deserves better.

It's not healthy to live vicariously through people. Even I subconsciously do it a bit with Gaga, but nowhere near as bad as I used to (when people insulted her and her work, it felt like they were insulting me). But I was a teenager back then and I'm older now and realise how skewed that kind of thinking is. When my life is nowhere near the life that the artist is singing about, it can be fun to sing along to, but it can't be inspiring.

I totally agree about her being similar to Taylor - more businesswomen than artists. Everything's a marketing decision, a calculated choice to boost sales and their profile. If Gaga got dropped from her record label tomorrow, she'd still be happy and continue to make art. If Beyonce got dropped tomorrow, she'd be crushed and feel like a failure. No shame in feeling that way, but I have the feeling she'd be more disappointed at losing her success as opposed to not being able to release music.

The song and the video go hand and hand. As Beyonce' hence the song "Formation". You can disagree all you want. I do not agree. That's what Beyonce' put it out as... you don't want to agree with how the artist executed their message that's on you.

[aaronyoji 2,007]

On 3/30/2016 at 2:01 PM, Ziggy said:

I 100% agree with this, though let's be real, Beyonce isn't exactly experiencing the plight of the African American working class when Jay-Z brags about his watches and Warhols he owns lol

this is exactly what i'd hope people start realizing, people like beyonce do not and have not ever experienced what every day black americans experience in terms of racism and harassment. lets be real, beyonce was born beautiful, she was destined to live this life, she's not been stopped by police for wearing a hoodie, she has not been tackled by police for j-walking, like no. that is not the reality of her life in regards to racism, and a small part of me feels she's just now making "politically-charged music" as a way of furthering her cool status and her brand. why do u think of all times she's coming out with an activewear line? because its very current, and she found yet another outlet besides her already over-priced music exclusively on Tidal to make money. if she was worried about getting the message across with her music, why do you have to pay 18$ a month just to hear it?? no working person can afford that. 

[Brian Ryan 1,468]

15 hours ago, aaronyoji said:

this is exactly what i'd hope people start realizing, people like beyonce do not and have not ever experienced what every day black americans experience in terms of racism and harassment. lets be real, beyonce was born beautiful, she was destined to live this life, she's not been stopped by police for wearing a hoodie, she has not been tackled by police for j-walking, like no. that is not the reality of her life in regards to racism, and a small part of me feels she's just now making "politically-charged music" as a way of furthering her cool status and her brand. why do u think of all times she's coming out with an activewear line? because its very current, and she found yet another outlet besides her already over-priced music exclusively on Tidal to make money. if she was worried about getting the message across with her music, why do you have to pay 18$ a month just to hear it?? no working person can afford that. 

I'm black and not a celebrity. I haven't experienced most of this either. She can still speak on it. Plus, you do not know what Beyonce' has been through in her personal life. Plus, Jay Z use to be a drug dealer on the streets. What the hell are you guys talking about? Just because they came up does not mean anything to a lot of racist European Americans and all around no matter how much we make we are still the n word. Oprah was once told she could not have a purse in an expensive store and only when they found out who she was they changed her mind. She still did not go to store.

"Always stay gracious best revenge is your paper" - Beyonce'