Anyone else who can't stand Beyoncé?

[StrawberryBlond 14,819]

Ever since she went solo, I couldn't stand her. She betrayed her DC bandmates the minute she got a sniff of success. I think it was always her intention actually. DC was just a vehicle to get her started, following the Diana Ross model. She's been used to having everything her own way what with her dad being in charge from the beginning, you can see how she was taking the reins with the whole DC thing and being the one everyone focused on and adored. Since she went solo, its been nothing but an endless round of stolen ideas, co-opting social movements, scandals for attention and general ego-stroking. The whole surprise album dropping is something I got bored of right from the first go. Her need to inform the world "Drop everything and buy my album. Yes, I know I haven't given you any tasters of what it's like to see if it's worth buying, but you've got to buy it anyway because I tell you to." Her need to keep her music protected so that she gets maximum sales and interest (though never as much as those who don't use this restrictive model, funnily enough) is so egotistical, I can't even. How people keep on pouring money into her empire, I will never know. Her husband has recently got just as bad. Between the two of them, they genuinely think they're superior over everyone else.

4 hours ago, F AM E said:

Most of the time I notice people just have a problem with her because of the hype that surrounds her and the fact that she "thinks she's untouchable/perfect/above everyone else"- but all of those have nothing to do with her. She always comes off very humble and grateful when she speaks and barely interacts with the media because she's shy. Most people think they have a problem with her but they just really have a problem with how they perceive her.

She generates and demands that hype herself. That's why she surprise releases albums. She gets a reputation as the queen of hype. It's the drill now - whenever Beyonce releases an album, drop everything and pay attention. The reveal of her babies is also based around hype. She wants herself to be thought of as a perfect queen, which is why she repeatedly says words to this effect in her songs. Her fans internalise it and parrot it back. Personally, I find artists who refer to themselves as the best to be super off-putting. Like Gaga once said, "I don't want to be your queen, I want to be your friend." There's nothing I can relate to about Beyonce. She's too perfect and private for that. She comes off as humble and grateful when she speaks because she's fake. She wants to be both humble and a goddess simultaneously. She wants it all. Always has. I think her words in her songs, her betrayal of her DC bandmates and how she never associated with her husband's friend's wife tells me all I need to know about who the true Beyonce is, as opposed to the sweet one in interviews.

4 hours ago, F AM E said:

But those are songs which are suppose to represent a specific moment in time. Why can't she feel herself every once in awhile? We all do. Just cause she's a celebrity doesn't mean she needs to self deprecate all the time. Also "Flawless" was about how she and the other girls in her group were feeling themselves and thought they were going to win Star Search but were ultimately humbled by the outcome. Having a big ego is part of hip-hop culture, but for the most part it's just a persona.

I'm not asking her to be self-depracting, just ease off on the references to perfection and egotistical nonsense. Normal, humble people don't feel the need to call themselves perfect because they don't think they're that good. But then again, people who feel the need to go around bragging like they're the best tend to have self esteem problems, it's all bravado and the shy ones actually have more confidence than the outspoken ones. We don't all "feel ourselves" once in a while, that's the whole point of being normal. When we know we have flaws, we feel reluctant to claim otherwise. People who do get looked down upon for it because no one's perfect, so what gives this person the right to act like they're the exception? And the idea that the Girls Tyme was humbled by the experience was not the perception I got from that clip. It just basically said: "We were so much better than Skeleton Crew and were robbed of our rightful win, but haha, now one of it's members is the biggest female artist in the world! In your face, Skeleton Crew! Sucks to be nobodies like you!" Utter arrogance. I would be furious if I were a member of that band seeing that message get reinforced all these years later. That should have been bad karma for Beyonce right there but she just got bigger. And yeah, having a big ego is a part of hip hop culture but it definitely is one of the downsides of the culture. And Beyonce isn't even hip hop. That would involve rapping. Which means that if she were a rapper, at least she'd have an excuse. But as an RnB singer, she therefore should be just as humble as every other artist tries to be.

[drinkmytears 2,332]

6 hours ago, juju said:

OK, there are several things I don't agree with here, I don't know where to start, so bare with me:

Madonna hasn't had, really, any hits this decade, and she's untouchable. What makes Beyonce, an artist of equal caliber and talent who came into the game only a decade later, any different? Why must she be constantly present in the charts to be considered "untouchable"? Gaga's reaching untouchable status, and hasn't had but a few hits this decade. Gaga/Madonna/other comparisons aside, every song from Lemonade charted on BBH100, and a select few had very strong radio presence. The songs themselves were a little more left-field than what was popular at the time, not quite fitting into one box or genre of music, so obviously they didn't storm the charts, but I can still turn on the radio and hear "Flawless", "Partition", "Drunk in Love", "Formation", "Hold Up", and "Sorry" at any given moment. I think that's concrete evidence that Beyonce is omnipresent within music and her impact reaches far beyond chart positions, so her sitting in the Top 10 for weeks on end isn't even an issue at this point. She's paid her dues. She's proven herself, and now she's catering to her fans by making the music that she herself loves.

Beyonce also uses live instruments in her tours, and has her own female backing band, the Suga Mamas. Might wanna read up on them and get that jush, because it's a beautiful story:

http://www.elle.com/culture/music/a44485/oral-history-beyonce-all-female-band-suga-mama/

The "doesn't seem genuine"... like? Where do you people make assumptions like this from? Because if we're exposed to the same media, the same articles, the same everything, i think she comes off incredibly likable, sweet, AND genuine. She's a private person, you can't fault her for this. I've literally never seen a plethora of articles about people meeting her and saying anything but great things about her - unlike a favorite of mine, Christina Aguilera, and a not-so-favorite of mine, miss Taylor Swift. Like I've said previously, she has paid her dues. 

I find her stage shows and her albums in general very creative, so that's a matter of personal opinion. Maybe you only can consider one thing creative, but I see it flourishing in different colors and forms. She's an artist, she grows, she changes - she's no more calculated than any of your other favorites, and that's truly the tea. She's just pulling all the strings now and doing what she wants, how she wants, when she wants, with who she wants. That should be praised, not vilified, especially for a black woman in America.

I find her music relatable in so many ways, so again, obviously another personal opinion. Maybe you've just glossed over her last few albums, but the material is very riveting and hits home.

Beyonce also has nothing to do with the - many times, other gay/LGBT - people who say Gaga uses us for attention and success. There is no correlation there. Beyonce also doesn't have to wave around what causes she supports or any of that; she can work behind the scenes and get just as much accomplished.

In the end, I never see a list of sources on "Reasons Beyonce Sucks", so it all chalks up to personal opinion and taste. If that's not what you're into, then great, wonderful. But for the rest of us who appreciate her impact and artistry, and see her as a genuinely amazing human being, I believe that's enough for us.

Hey, thanks for having a respectful conversation with me! I see you around here a lot and usually agree with you and I like that you made your point without getting all b*tchy like most do on here! 

I've only ever heard Drunk In Love on the radio, and one time Formation the day before her concert. I heard Hold Up in a clothes shop once. I hear her at the club occasionally, and its usually Crazy In Love or 7/11. She's had big albums, and sold lots, but in my opinion she hasn't had a HUGE hit since the I AM... era. Its just like Gaga hasn't had a HUGE hit since Applause. Million Reasons has sold a lot, and peaked high, but it wasn't a big international hit like she used to get. I'm also not slamming Beyoncé for not being on the radio, I'm just saying her stans like to make it seem like shes the queen of everything, but she doens't really have big hits anymore. 

I also think its great that she's focusing on making entire visual albums and albums as opposed to just quick singles. We need more of that. My point was just that she hasn't really had a huge international hit in years like she used to. Which would suggest some decline in popularity and likability. 
 

Madonna however, is crucified by the media. She doesn't get the free-passes that Beyoncé does. She's told she's too old, not talented, etc all the time! I rarely see the positive press and reaction to Madonna that I do to Beyoncé, even the LGBT community seems to have forgotten what a trailblazer Madonna was years ago. 

I know that Beyoncé uses live arrangements on tour, but she doesn't play an instrument herself. She also doesn't really need to, I was just making a point. Her shows are pretty conventional. Big screen with a backdrop, dances to her songs, a few ballad moments, that's it. Its not like Gaga who can really break it down at the piano and turn her show into something else. 

I just disagree with you because I do think she's extremely calculated in her approach to interview and social media. When's the last time she just did a little candid interview with a magazine? Or went on the Today show or something like that? She doesn't anymore, which in my opinion makes her seem a little less human. Her social media clearly has some sort of artistic director, and its like we are seeing the life she wants to portray- not her real life.

I'll also note I used to be a big fan of hers- I traveled and got hotels to see her. I spent 1,200 dollars on a Beyhive ticket. I just don't buy into the hype anymore. I didn't gloss over Beyoncé or Lemonade, I just didn't really like Lemonade. I've watched interviews with her songwriters, I'll find one and link it, and it seems like she didn't have much involvement. The music doesn't appeal to me, and that's just my opinion! BEYONCE had some great videos though! 

And I know its not Beyoncé's fault she's overrated (to me), or that other artists are put down for the same things she does (lip synching, ignoring fans, etc) but its frustrating as a pop fan! 

At the end of the day, everyone has their opinions and I just think its a little ridiculous that people get so upset when someone has an opinion on Beyoncé other than "SHES QUEEN BEY!!!" 

[just another gay 836]

not a big fan of her person but she did serve good visual and performance

[NIghtmareElm 2,606]

I really enjoy her music and her videos.  I don't think she is as great as everyone says.  Performance wise, I don't think she's all that.  Her VMA performance last year looked like she was lipping it all.  Lemonade was just not that great.  It felt like she was trying to make her own To Pimp a Butterfly.  However Beyonce was my favorite album of 2013 and my favorite album she's ever put out.  She has put out some of the best pop videos of the past few years.  

[Anderson123 38,182]

I respect her as an artist and a performer, I like some of her songs but honestly, she's one of the most overrated artists today and that's because of the media and how they want to make her look like royalty.

I can listen to Beyoncé and enjoy her music but I don't see her as the next coming of Jesus Christ like a lot of guys do in the gay community and it bothers me when they're like "She's a Goddess and if you don't agree, your opinion is irrelevant".

Sadly, I stopped dating this guy because he got offended that I didn't praise Lemonade as much as he did, not even a bit. I just listened to it and it was okay, but he got mad that I didn't go crazy about it so that's when I knew he was just not okay.

[KingRedd 3,139]

What other woman can have a thread made about how she is overrated on another woman's fansite about every other week? Bad Bitch Bey... What other woman can perform her heart out and steal shows while slaying vocally, yet be called talentless or unimpressive? Bad Bitch Bey..... What other woman can bring all the haters to one thread to hate as if their opinion is anywhere near important to Beyoncé or her fans? Bad Bitch Bey lmao Queen doing her duties I see.

[Chr 4,217]

She's a talent and I do like a lot of her music what I don't like is her fans that treat her like god and drag anyone who doesn't think the same. Personally I don't see any celebrity like a god not even Gags, Beyoncé fans are just too much sometimes but other than her fans I really like her I don't read to much into the pretentious stuff because let's be honest a lot of celebrities are so 

[thefamegangsta 100]

11 hours ago, drinkmytears said:

 

1. She was so hyped up around the Super Bowl, which is expected, but after that people treated her like a god. Stans online always seem to forget her album 4 was viewed as a flop, producing no hit singles. She's also had many singles miss the Top 10 and 20. I'm not all about charts, but everyone thinks she's so untouchable when she's only had 2 Top 10 hits since 2010 (I believe). 

2. Everyone says she's a great performer. I don't disagree, but I don't think she's the best. Nor do I think she's very creative. She just sings and dances. No instruments. 

3. Now everything seems so secretive and calculated. Very attention seeking and planned out. 

 

1. Is that her fault tho? why isn''t this thread pointed at the Hive/stans, not the one they hype up?

2. Are instruments required to be a legendary performer? Like fr, there's really no one on her level of singing/dancing/presentation.

3. We should all know what too much media exposure does to an artist...she's smart to keep to herself.

[drinkmytears 2,332]

48 minutes ago, thefamegangsta said:

1. Is that her fault tho? why isn''t this thread pointed at the Hive/stans, not the one they hype up?

2. Are instruments required to be a legendary performer? Like fr, there's really no one on her level of singing/dancing/presentation.

3. We should all know what too much media exposure does to an artist...she's smart to keep to herself.

She's super overexposed, IMO
and I never said any of this was her fault- I just explained how I felt about her! 

 

Also, I think a LOT of people are a better singer than her. She lipsynchs a lot too. I think Gaga is a way better performer- just my opinion

[REALITY 76,234]

I lowkey agree. 

I think she's a fantastic singer, and a great performer, but I do feel like she's overhyped and idolized too much. On Instagram and social media and stuff she's treated like a God and people are always like "Beyonce's Queen," even though like half of them don't even really listen to her music. Like, even if she sneezes it's like she'll get acclaimed just for that, it's actually pretty annoying.

That being said, I think this happens with any stan culture, especially with female singers. I mean, there are definitely some Little Monsters who are like that, same with fans of Katy, Rihanna, Ariana, etc., it's just how the stan culture is.

That being said, I definitely think Beyonce's overhyped too much.

[Ziggy 11,753]

11 hours ago, drinkmytears said:

What's humble about 

"Bow down b*tches"

"I ain't no average b*tch boy"

"I'm a diva" 

"The woman they call the Queen" 

"Im flawless"

...otherwise I agree with you. I used to find her humble, but I think since she fired her dad and released her self titled she's become the female Kanye- ego wise

Flawless is about honoring her own hard work and putting others in their place who think they can go around her like she didn't put her time in. Maybe not saintly, but I don't see it as not humble.

Don't Hurt Yourself is her yelling at a cheating man. I don't think you need to take it so stone cold literally when it's supposed to sound hysteric and a bit unhinged.

Diva is literally about what the hook says, "a diva is a female version of a hustler." She's appropriating male power for herself and women. I think it's important to note that she's not always singing for herself and that a big chunk of her bigger songs are lady anthems and need to be seen with that context in mind.

Flawless (again), same as above: she's not saying *she's* flawless necessarily, she's letting herself be a mouthpiece for women, specifically black women, to voice their own self affirmation. Plus, the flawless is meant to mean more like "I'm perfect as I am" and not "I'm flawless, you're not."

 

I think with most of her music, it needs to be be contextualized as it largely exists in black culture and pulls from it heavily (flawless, for example, as black women have historically been denied honor or respect for their hard work. Look at Hidden Figures for an example). 

 

I'm not Bey's biggest fan, but I don't think attacking her character is fair when none of us know her and her songs aren't written by her. She performs the **** out of songs, but they aren't hers entirely so we can't really determine what level of insight is there, though in the few interviews I remember seeing she seemed gracious. Hell, the Obamas like her and they seem like a good judge of character. Still, we don't know her, so I don't think it's fair to say how good or bad of a person she is.

[Miel 15,009]

She's a great performer. Not the greatest artist overall, but I can't deny her talent on the stage. She really, really served with Lemonade.

That said, her stans/gay twitter/this weird God-complex surrounding her (not by her), are kind of unnerving.

[doppelganger 3,933]

I was a huge fan of the original Destiny's Child (the quartet) and I do love Bey's debut. I don't think she's a great lyricist but at least in the early works you could tell they were her words, and those words fit the message of the album. It seemed at least authentic to me  

Today her music is an expression of what she wanted to say, manufactured by teams of talented producers and writers. My only issue is I don't believe they're her words. I do believe she wrote Formation though - that's the real Beyonce . She never really developed her writing skills to catch up with her evolving POV. 

And then you have Lorde and Mariah that writes amazing lyrics at such a young age. Even Gaga's skills as a songwriter has significantly evolved. 

[Ferrer Zorola 3,966]

I agree with every reply that says why they don't like her tbh. You all have your fair reasons. 

This posts don't even come from a place of envy. We are just smart people being objective. 

You want to read how perfect she is so your little feelings aren't hurt? This is not the place.

I honestly think race has a lot to do with her popularity. She has this 'shield' against media and criticism and if someone speaks their mind they're afraid of being called racist. 

IT IS GREAT that she puts out the music she wants to because it clearly isn't basic nor it panders to everyone BUT personally I don't like it. I like B-day more than any other record of hers. Her new music is so random and it features awkward jazz samples like the trend that hip hop is in right now.

Besides, for someone with her voice and dance abilities... I can't recall a single iconic performance of hers. Or a look... Even her ballads lack something.

I can relate, sing along and cry to songs like Tattooed Heart or Just a little bit of your heart but not Rocket or Sand Castles.

And don't say I'm being bitter cause this is coming from a place of respect and honesty.

@StrawberryBlond I LIVE AND LOVE your dedicated and well thought responses. ❤️

[drinkmytears 2,332]

9 minutes ago, doppelganger said:

I was a huge fan of the original Destiny's Child (the quartet) and I do love Bey's debut. I don't think she's a great lyricist but at least in the early works you could tell they were her words, and those words fit the message of the album. It seemed at least authentic to me  

Today her music is an expression of what she wanted to say, manufactured by teams of talented producers and writers. My only issue is I don't believe they're her words. I do believe she wrote Formation though - that's the real Beyonce . She never really developed her writing skills to catch up with her evolving POV. 

And then you have Lorde and Mariah that writes amazing lyrics at such a young age. Even Gaga's skills as a songwriter has significantly evolved. 

Its just hard for me to believe she wrote that song when there's 4 other writers credited, she's the last on the list, and people even threatened her with the law for stealing excerpts of Formation from others. 

Then you have people like Gaga, Mariah, Lorde, Taylor, Lana, Marina who have very few cowriters. DJ White Shadow even said he didn't write Gaga's music, she just credited him for helping with melodies and instrumentation.