Lil Kim has recently been blasted on social media, and across other “reputable” news channels, for a collage of selfies she posted on Instagram in which she appears looking significantly whiter than people collectively imagine her to be. This conversation about her physical appearance has managed to garner more attention and discussion about her than a recently released mixtape and an upcoming Bad Boy Reunion show appearance combined.
Image: Instagram
I have to ask, is it really a surprise that in an appearance-obsessed culture people will voluntarily undergo cosmetic procedures? Is it also a surprise to see that, when whiteness is the prominently displayed beauty ideal, whiteness is often emulated? Are social media users genuinely blind to the fact that they are a driving cause of these people’s insecurities, given that said complaints generate more publicity than their targets’ art?
Image: thehiphopdiaries
Lil Kim’s transformation is not new. It has been ongoing since the late 90’s, with the rapper initially using blue contacts and blonde weaves to alter her look, before moving on to more invasive procedures such as rhinoplasty and breast augmentation. While her body was being physically altered over the years, her skin also began to change, appearing lighter and whiter as time went on.
It’s important to note that Lil Kim has opened up in the past about her personal issues with self-esteem. Interviews from 1996 and 2000 have been dragged up in order to demonstrate that her desire to go under the knife and change her appearance is mostly because of her own unique deficit regarding her self-worth. Yet everyone is quick to overlook the fact that this shit is 16 years old and people change, and that, in a 2005 interview with Angie Martinez, Lil Kim just straight up owned her nose-job and denied any low self-esteem, saying “I love myself. …People think I did it because I had low self-esteem, but that wasn’t the case. I think I did it because I was a little too vain.’
Maybe self-esteem did have some part to play in Lil Kim’s desire to alter her appearance, but it would be difficult to have that conversation without acknowledging the fucking Mastodon (bigger than an elephant) in the room, which is the immense stress that women, especially those of colour, face regarding external pressures to adhere to a certain type of beauty standard in order to seem desirable from both an aesthetic point of view, and in their professional and everyday lives.
Image: dinosaurs.about.com
It’s no secret that western society looks upon lighter skin much more favourably than darker skin, and Lil Kim is perhaps a prime example of an individual who has internalised years of conditioning which have told her that black is less desirable, that lighter skin equals more privilege and status, and that acceptance is surmountable with a brighter skin tone. The reality of being black when popular culture and your own industry favour those with a lighter complexion could easily contribute to self-esteem issues, or at least spark an internal conversation which begins with questioning one’s own desirability and worth.
The difference between Lil Kim and the many women that battle these internal demons on the daily is that she has the means to do something drastic about it, and the well trained eye of the media will be there to capture every moment.
It’s worth pointing out here that countless celebrities have been accused of either changing their appearance or altering photographs in order to appear whiter. Rihanna and Beyoncé (who let’s be real, has had blonde hair for like 10+ years now) have both been accused of whitening their skin and generally attempting to appear more Caucasian by Mica Paris. InStyle was accused of digitally lightening their cover photo of Kerry Washington and had to release a statement denying the accusations. Zoe Saldana has been absolutely raked over the coals for her portrayal of Nina Simone in the biographical film, Nina, with her critics expressing their disgust at her allowing her skin tone to be darkened and facial appearance changed in order to fit the role of the darker musician, instead of bowing out and letting a darker actress take her role, claiming that it’s a perfect example of Hollywood not giving gigs to darker women, who are deemed less desirable to movie goers.
Image: time
One needs only to look at the immense popularity of skin whitening products in America, as well as other predominantly non-white countries to see that the cultural conditioning which promotes white dominance regarding the standard of beauty is very much alive and kicking. When I was in Singapore last year, it took my partner and I almost a full day to find sun screen which didn’t have whitening agents in it, and I’m fairly sure she never managed to find women’s deodorant free from the stuff.
The point I’m trying to convey is that although it’s now perfectly acceptable to sit behind your computer and talk shit about how much of an idiot someone is for getting plastic surgery to make themselves look whiter, while citing that person’s self-esteem issues and lack of “self-love” as the reason for doing so, it’s much more important to look at the bigger picture. And that bigger picture involves millions of women of colour changing their appearance in both subtle and drastic ways in the general direction of whiteness.
You can be mad that Lil Kim has felt the pressure to succumb to a white beauty ideal. You can be mad that Lil Kim chose to pursue a white beauty ideal. You can be mad that looking lighter and whiter makes Lil Kim feel more comfortable, more desirable, or whatever damn way she does, in fact, feel. But you can’t be mad at Lil Kim, the individual. You can only be mad at the circumstances which lead countless women of colour to pursue beauty norms associated with their oppressors, with social power, with the “elite.”
Lil Kim isn’t alone, and while her actions come across as drastic to some, she is an entirely autonomous being who can make choices for herself. Instead of criticising the individual, we should instead look at why these particular patterns of “enhancement” have emerged in the first place.
Just have a productive conversation for once, Internet. Obviously there isn’t inherent diversity in the “choice” to modify oneself – otherwise there would be no trends to talk about, everyone would choose their own unique modifications. There’s clearly a problem here. The problem is that Western beauty standards are just another means through which to perpetuate hierarchies of oppression. You don’t address that by hanging shit on Lil Kim. You address it by taking a complex look at histories of subordination, global chains of power, economic opportunities, and – of course – gender norms.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCHs-ox2-Qg]
Image: bossip
In 2013, Beyoncé shifted the musical landscape with the surprise release of her visual, self-titled album. We received 14 songs, each with accompanying videos that gave a rare and personal insight into the now-confirmed Queen Bey, her relationship with her husband and what it now felt like for her to be a mother. Unashamedly about the power of the woman, it was openly sexual, and a celebration of sorts for the incredible relationship that she had with Jay-Z. However, there was one song that stood out: Jealous. And it is here that we pick up from with her latest album, LEMONADE.
“I’m just jealous/ I’m just human/ Don’t judge me”
Jealous shows a brief look into the insecurity that Beyoncé has about Jay-Z. She looks amazing, she’s a great wife, but Jay’s not there. Where could he be? The questions that started to pop up around this time were sent into to overdrive on that fateful night that would see Beyoncé’s sister, Solange, beat the shit out of Jay-Z in an elevator, only to emerge like nothing had happened- Beyoncé especially. The rumour mill went ballistic with suggestions of infidelity (and a list of possible side chicks), but nothing was confirmed – until now.
“You can taste the dishonesty/ It’s all over your breath”
The first lyrics we hear of LEMONADE paint a grim picture. Our worst fears have been confirmed, and you know what is about to come. Pray You Catch Me is a sombre opener with the help of James Blake, grand piano chords and stunning vocals from our leading lady- but she’s no longer celebrating. She’s broken. “I pray I catch you whispering/ Pray you catch me listening.” The anxiety, the unease she’s feeling because she knows something is going on. His smile hurts her the most. You can almost feel her presence frantically trying to get any kind of information that her suspicions were correct this whole time, yet the slow start that Pray You Catch Me gives to the album gives you the feeling she’s almost not ready to know. That is, until we hear Hold Up.
It’s interesting to watch the album, with its interludes and visuals, as it provides an entire storytelling experience. The music is interspersed with stunning scenes and Beyoncé reciting the poetry of Warsan Shire. Between Pray You Catch Me and Hold Up, we see a Bey writhing under water, slowly going through what she tried to change about herself. How she turned to religion to help her and it still didn’t work, she still had that burning question – “Are you cheating on me?” Whilst this makes you a bit uneasy, and you can feel the rising anger as she emerges, water gushing behind her for the Diplo produced, Hold Up. This is now Beyoncé not exactly accepting what has happened, but certainly acknowledging that the betrayal has indeed happened, with a tongue-in-cheek upbeat pop tune that is paired with a video of her going around smashing car windows and security cameras with a baseball bat. She stares into the camera as she asks presumably Jay-Z to ask himself would he be treating her like this is he wasn’t crowned the “god” that he is, and skips as she laments, “What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you.” Hell hath no fury like a Beyoncé scorned.
https://www.facebook.com/817645451699947/videos/817865978344561/
“Why can’t you see me? Everyone else can“
Don’t Hurt Yourself slowly creeps into a roar after one of the most eerie poems on the visual album is recited, about how if it’s what he really wants, Beyoncé can wear “her” skin as her own, essentially saying she is willing to become merge into one “perfect girl” for him, but you can feel the rage building. Teaming up with Jack White, Beyoncé offers up one of her most passionate songs in, well, ever for this one. It also serves as a special moment in the album where Beyoncé truly recognises her reality – she is literally. Beyoncé. And she’s been cheated on. WHO WOULD EVER CHEAT ON BEYONCÉ? She herself asks this question. She’s been made a living goddess by her cultlike fan base and the media. Her elusive attitude to the press only exacerbating this “untouchable” image even further, yet she’s not untouchable.
She, Beyoncé, can fall and be hurt just like the rest of us. She is, in fact human. And she’s fucking angry! “Who the fuck do you think I is? You ain’t married to no average bitch, boy” she screams. Don’t you know who she is? How could you do this to her of all people? Asserting her independence, she not only recognises her fallibility, but that she is just like the rest of the vulnerable, disrespected black women in America. She screams the hook, she is so angry this has happened. She’s no longer sad, she’s seeing red, and ends with a “final warning” that if he “tries this shit again, you gon’ lose your wife.” I don’t think there wasn’t anyone watching this particular video that didn’t reel back from just how incredible and intense this was.
“What are you going to say at my funeral, now that you’ve killed me?“
Apathetic Beyoncé is a dangerous Beyoncé, and we see that here in the next song, Sorry. Featuring a twerking Serena Williams, Beyoncé lounges in a throne-like chair, saying she’s anything but the song title. In fact, she now leans on her fellow sisters. This is a huge “fuck you” to the men who have hurt her and her friends. But, with it’s jolting beats and light synths, this song also provides one of – if not the – most talked about lyrics on the album, “He better call Becky with the good hair.” The internet at large currently believes “Becky” to be one Rachel Roy, but before your mind can wander too far into possibilities, we are given even more to think about. Touching on her religion and her sexuality in this interlude, she also touches again on her womanhood whilst we are presented with images of ceremonies – a sight we see throughout performed by women in Southern and African traditions.
“Am I talking about your husband, or your father?“
6 Inch, featuring The Weeknd, focuses on her work and ends in a dramatic fashion resulting in a burning mansion and Beyoncé and her crew standing in front of it. It also provides one of the most dramatic sonic juxtapositions on the album, leading into Daddy Lessons– a country song about what she learned (or didn’t learn) from her own father. Beyoncé’s relationship with her father is one that is problematic and fractious, and has been looked at before on many of Beyoncé’s songs. Looking at her father’s own infidelity, this journey into her past is perfectly paired with this old-time country music that would have been inescapable for a young Beyoncé. Singing in an antebellum-style dress but made with African textiles, this is where Beyoncé realises her past and uses it to her advantage to help her present. Realising she’s essentially married her father, it’s here that serves as a turning point in the story.
“You and me could stop this love drought“
An olive branch has been extended, but it’s not going to be easy. She sees he’s trying but she still doesn’t trust him, and she still catches him out in the lie. Love Drought is recognising this in-between part between the hurt, and the reconciliation that is now possible. She didn’t leave because she couldn’t, and now she’s willing to make it work. It’s important to note here that Beyoncé is deeply religious, so divorce is all but off the table for her. She also is no quitter, and is not one to lose. Ever. So before the judgement comes in of why she should or shouldn’t have stayed, this is Beyoncé we are talking about – she may be hurt but she recognises still that he is the love of her life, and that they’re still better together. The interlude here captures this next stage perfectly, as the story begins to come full circle – an effect that is quite literally employed here on her face in tribal face paint. It’s also really interesting to note here that the song, although titled Love Drought, is set on a river, signalling the literal and figurative drought is now over. The worst is behind them. “Baptise me now that reconciliation is possible. If we’re gonna heal, let it be glorious,” she says, opening up the rest of the story for the healing to begin to take place.
The kinstukuroi bowl (a bowl that has been smashed and repaired with gold lacquer to be considered more beautiful than it was) is an especially powerful visual for this final part in LEMONADE, as the gospel chords open for Sandcastles. Detailing a huge kitchen fight involving smashed dishes, this clip sees Beyoncé reconciling with Jay-Z (he’s actually in the clip), in their home as she talks about how although she promised she couldn’t stay, “every promise don’t work out that way.” This is one of the most beautiful parts of the album, and one of the most intimate songs and videos Beyoncé has ever created. Owning their problems and opting to work on them together, they both now see they’re stronger together. Now, they move Forward.
Forward features James Blake again, and also sees the story pan out to include a bigger picture. Encompassing black women everywhere, Beyoncé recognises the internalised and systemic duress they’re under, purely out of their condition as humans. Race relations in America, with the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown featured, is an issue that Beyoncé has previously come under fire for seemingly ignoring. But now that she is able to deal with her marital problems (a feat which is by no means easy), she’s able to take on the plight of others. Of women, of African-American women specifically, and is prepared to not let go with putting the Black Lives Matter movement once again at the forefront of people’s minds – and televisions.
https://www.facebook.com/1230252636986654/videos/1230254483653136/
“Ima keep running ’cause a winner don’t quit on themselves“
The thunderous, bold chords of Freedom echoes out and shocks you out of the emotional hole you’ve just found yourself in. Whether you look at the bigger picture with these lyrics, or the smaller picture, it’s plain to see Beyoncé has undergone some sort of spiritual awakening after the pain she’s been in over the past few years. “I break chains all by myself,” she growls on the Kendrick Lamar featuring track. It’s a powerful song, and it commands your attention with its cacophony of drums, keys and a choir singing the hook.
“True love never has to hide”
All Night is it. Everything, although still difficult, is okay again. It’s once again a celebration of love, and a song that wraps itself in happiness. It’s devoted and unashamed once again, and although it’s been broken, it’s going to work. Her “love was stronger than your pride,” and forgiveness has finally, finally happened. Finishing with some home footage of a pregnant Beyoncé, a baby Blue Ivy and even a snap from their wedding, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have made it out the other side stronger than ever.
If Beyoncé is one thing, it’s fierce- her voice, her look, her love, her talent, her anger, her hurt. She’s one of the most influential women in the world, and recognises the power that brings, but it doesn’t make her immortal. It makes the fall that much harder, and the recovery that much longer. She rejects the deified status that has been put on her. Over the past three years, she totally cut the press out of her life, and now we know why. Clearly dealing with an actual life crisis, Beyoncé feels and hurts and cries like the rest of us. However, although many will be able to relate to this on a level, it would be remiss to not see it for what it is – an album for black girls, which is truly incredible. There is a lot going on here I could never hope to understand, and whilst I do worship at the church of Bey, I recognise that this album isn’t for me, and I’m happy to watch from the sidelines for this one.
In an age where singles are a flash in the pan and we’re onto the next big thing, she’s given us a full album experience because she can and because she’s got the story to tell. Teaming up with indie royalty like Jack White and James Blake, and even giving songwriting credits to Ezra Koenig, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Father John Misty as well as getting Diplo on for some production duties, she’s opening her world up to other influences because maybe she doesn’t have all the answers. Much like Rihanna‘s ANTI before her, Beyoncé’s come down to human level. She’s created her own reality in which she is able to share this with the world and she came out the other side (something many of us do not get through when it comes to infidelity for one reason or another), and has once again stopped the world. No one ever does it like Beyoncé does it, and that includes going through a marriage breakdown. Everything she does is a game changer, and LEMONADE is absolutely no exception.
Image: Cosmopolitan
It’s finally here. The queen of surprise drops herself, Beyoncé has dropped her sixth album, LEMONADE. After streaming the “visual album” (much like her 2013 self titled visual album featuring tracks like Flawless and Drunk In Love) on HBO, the album popped up exclusively on TIDAL – and even though I haven’t listened to it yet, I am already certain it will be amazing.
With a tracklist featuring the likes of Jack White, The Weeknd, James Blake and Kendrick Lamar, the 12 track album (including Formation) and accompanying film is a personal insight into being a strong black woman, openly discussing her relationships as well as her heritage. It’s peak Beyoncé, and I cannot believe it is finally here. Here’s hoping this means that her Formation world tour now extends to Australia, as it is currently making its way through the US and more dates are continually being added.
Lemonade Tracklist:
01. Pray You Catch Me
02. Hold Up
03. Don’t Hurt Yourself (feat. Jack White)
04. Sorry
05. 6 Inch (feat. The Weeknd)
06. Daddy Lessons
07. Love Drought
08. Sandcastles
09. Forward (feat. James BLake)
10. Freedom (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
11. All Night
12. Formation
Image: Stereogum
During her 2013 Mrs. Carter World Tour, Beyoncé established her charitable organisation BeyGOOD with a view to empower people to give back to their communities. Built on the belief that every individual can make a positive impact, BeyGOOD acts as the umbrella organisation for all of Queen Bey’s many and varied charity initiatives. During that tour, millions of people received much needed help including employment and shelter as a direct effect of BeyGOOD’s efforts. Now, preparing for her Formation World Tour and working towards the release of her Lemonade project hasn’t meant Queen Bey has let her philanthropic efforts fall by the wayside. Rather the contrary.
It has just been announced that BeyGOOD will be partnering with three other charities for the duration of the tour in an effort to lend further support to those in need. The charities will have a presence on every tour date, and the concerts in Houston, Compton, and Detroit have been designated as signature charity events. Adding United Way, Chime For Change and Global Citizen as tour partners, Beyoncé is providing her fans with a number of ways to get involved and maybe win some pretty sweet prizes at the same time.
Aligning with United Way Worldwide, BeyGOOD is encouraging fans to get involved online through CrowdRise and support the Flint Water Crisis. By making a donation no matter how small, fans will qualify for an opportunity to win VIP tickets while also lending their support. By getting involved as a Global Citizen with Chime For Change, a charity co-founded by Beyoncé with global fashion house Gucci, to support girls and women around the world who fight the oppressive traditions that seek to hold them back, fans will have a chance to win tickets and upgrades at select tour dates. United Way will also highlight local issues on each stop of the tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCHz1gwzTo
In Houston the event will be in support of Rudy Rasmus and his passionate work with Bread of Life to combat hunger in the city, and his partnership with the City of Houston on the initiative called TurnAround Houston to create jobs. In Compton the event with benefit Urban Education Institute and its work with youth through music and the arts. In Detroit, this event will serve as a celebration of the resourcefulness of the people of Flint and Detroit, Michigan.
In a press release Director of Philanthropy, Ivy McGregor, who runs BeyGOOD’s day-to-day operatives through Parkwood Entertainment said that: “Through our collaborations with our strategic charity partners, we’ve created simple ways for everyone to participate. Because we believe together we can make the world better – standing, living and giving in Good Formation.”
Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Global Citizen Hugh Evans said that “Beyoncé is catalyzing a movement across the world that will both inspire and motivate… We are excited to have the opportunity – in partnership with CHIME FOR CHANGE – to channel this enthusiasm to programs and campaigns that will effect real change across the world.” Adding to the commentary, Marco Bizzarri, Gucci President & CEO said that “As a Co-Founder of Gucci’s CHIME FOR CHANGE campaign, Beyoncé leads a global effort to convene, unite and strengthen the voices speaking out for girls and women around the world.” Given Beyonce’s feminist values, it makes sense that she continues to work in an effort to inspire her astoundingly huge, global audience to take action against gender inequality.
Image: Youtube
Over the weekend Beyoncé teased new visual project Lemonade on her Instagram account. The short 20 second clip featured Beyoncé leaning against a car, her face hidden, as she whispered a few words.
Today, the musical innovator has released a longer trailer that still doesn’t give much away, apart from a premiere date of April 23 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. Interestingly this is the evening before Game Of Thrones’ sixth season debuts, so it appears HBO are doing their best to monopolise TV audiences during what is sure to be one of the biggest viewing weekends in the channels history.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB5zLq1zcdo]
The new trailer for Lemonade lasts 1:05 and once again features a cornrowed Beyoncé leaning against a car, her face hidden from view. These images of Beyoncé are intercut with random footage, including shots of an abandoned car park, a burning staircase, a thunder storm, as well as various shots of the star throughout her career and posing in strange locations. The clip is soundtracked by narration from Beyoncé, with cryptic phrases such as “The past and the present emerge to meet us here,” and “You’re the love of my life,” uttered over the visuals.
I for one have no idea what’s going on, but Lemonade appears to be some form of visual art piece or possible documentary. Since dropping her 2013 surprise self-titled album, Beyoncé has used visuals as not only an accompanying piece to her music, but as part of her art and what she is trying to achieve. This is clearly evident with her video for Formation. A great song with a strong message, the visual representation of the track in the film clip is just as empowering as the actual song.
Lemonade airs April 23 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9E7GWx61w]
Image: Noisey
We are only just into the fourth month of the year, but pop superstar and business mogul Beyonce sure has been making the most of 2016.
In early February, she dropped Formation, the wonderfully powerful song which ignited both renewed excitement at the possibility of a new album being released soon and the flames of those offended by what they perceived to be an anti-police message. Her performance at the Super Bowl meant that people went as far as to organise anti-Beyonce protests, but only three people turned up.
There is no doubt that Beyonce remains one of, if not the, most powerful pop-star, and she knows it. Now, she’s given an exclusive interview with ELLE Magazine to address all the accusations she has faced since boldly claiming the word “feminist” and the (utterly baffling) misinterpretations of Formation – which, as Bey confirms, isn’t spreading an anti-police message.
“..anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of the officers who sacrifice themselves to keeps us safe. But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things.” Queen Bey said, when addressing the wide-spread misunderstanding of the message of her latest hit. She went on to add that if celebrating her roots during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, then they probably already harboured those views long before the video and long before Beyonce herself. “I’m proud of what we created and I’m proud to be a part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way.”
Throughout the interview, photos of Beyonce in her Ivy Park athletic wear were featured, and prompted a discussion on the singer’s feminist ethos. Commentators are often quick to judge and dismiss Beyonce’s “brand” of feminism, but the interview makes it crystal clear that in doing so, they prove why it is still needed. She discussed the importance of self-love, women supporting one another and how it relates to her latest business venture. “It’s really the essence: to celebrate every woman and the body she’s in while always striving to be better.”
When discussing her Mrs. Carter Show tour, her song Flawless and her iconic “FEMINIST” sign, Queen Bey said that she didn’t use it as propaganda or to proclaim her beliefs to the world. Rather, it was “to give clarity to the true meaning. I’m not really sure people know or understand what a feminist is, but it’s very simple. It’s someone who believes in equal rights for men and women… We need men and women to understand the double standards that still exist in this world, and we need to have a real conversation so we can begin to make changes. Ask anyone, man or woman, “Do you want your daughter to have 75 cents when she deserves $1?” What do you think the answer would be? When we talk about equal rights, there are issues that face women disproportionately. ” And on those who believe a feminist woman can’t own her body and her sexuality? “If you believe in equal rights, the same way society allows a man to express his darkness, to express his pain, to express his sexuality, to express his opinion—I feel that women have the same rights.”
You can read the entire interview on Elle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCHz1gwzTo
Images & gifs: Noisey, Elle, hypetrak
Diehard Beyoncé fans are probably feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment with everything that’s going on. If you are out of the loop, let me fill you in.
Beyoncé has just launched the website for her brand new fashion label Ivy Park. Queen B’s stylish activewear collection consists of 200 different items including leggings, sports bras and jackets. The website has a chic black and white colour scheme and opens with the brand name in huge block letters along with a warning about flashing images.
The best part about the interactive website is the integration of music. Over the top of the flashing photographs, you can hear a fresh instrumental track. If you click and hold for about three seconds, the tracks change. At this stage, the music on the website has yet to be released, aside from Formation, which was featured at the Super Bowl earlier this year. We are sure they will be soon, especially after hearing the rumours about her album’s release date.
Time has provided a few valid reasons to explain why we have a feeling that the album will be coming soon, with a few tracklists making their way around the internet saying that it will be released tomorrow. However, Time is a bit weary of their authenticity. The leaked tracklists hint collaborations with Adele, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Jay Z, Kayne West, Frank Ocean and Nicki Minaj.
We really hope that part is real.
https://twitter.com/wi11_i_yum/status/715202024216915968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Clothing from her fashion label will be available from a number of stores around the world on April 14. Australians can purchase these items from The Iconic, Glue and Myer. Check out the stocklist to see where they are available in your country.
Watch the trailer in which Queen B talks about the meaning behind the name ‘Ivy Park’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1Wp1kfDfE
Image: ET Online
It’s safe to say that this U.S. presidential race has by far been the most televised, publicised, and talked about in the history of US politics. Obviously, we can attribute most of that to the prevalence and use of social media, and of course, Donald Trump. In this modern age, presidential elections are not only about policies and the character of those being elected, but also filled with little, seemingly insignificant issues that parties hope will trend online.
Last week Bernie Sanders was lucky enough to have a small bird fly atop his podium, and the Internet went insane. Today, news has come out that Hillary Clinton last week just casually dropped by a Beyonce video shoot to hang out. Though it was short and sweet, Clinton was allegedly ready to share her opinions on Queen Bey once she hit back to the campaign trail. “I want to be as good a president as Beyonce is a performer… You see her on TV, it’s impressive; you see her in person, you’re just stunned. Thinking like, ‘How does she do that? Really. I mean, she’s singing, she’s up and she’s down. She’s just amazing.” The respect is mutual too, with Beyonce having attended a Clinton fundraiser in New York City in May of last year.
Though it remains to be seen how close Clinton and the Queen actually are, we’re sure that their interests and values would align heavily: both powerful women, one of whom is literally hoping to run the world, and Clinton with a huge passion and interest in civil rights. No doubt even a small visit will turn any Beyonce fan onto the idea of voting Hillary, it was a smart move.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA6fk-f8Nqw
These appearances really do demonstrate just how important celebrity endorsements are becoming in the democratic process – which is pretty messed up when you think about it. Though that said, some definitely do more bad than good.
https://twitter.com/AZEALIABANKS/status/694056922593562624
Image: Howl & Echoes
I would beg my parents NOT to attend school fundraisers, for fear that their penchant for humiliating my sister and I would prove too strong and they would (once again) ruin our lives with their obviously-not-funny jokes. They never, ever listened to us and would do it anyway, and so we would spend a lot of our child and teenage years on damage control trying to make everyone forget about that one thing my dad said that made me cry with shame.
Four-year-old Blue Ivy Carter may have had a slightly less traumatic experience this weekend, as her mum turned up to sing a few songs for the school fundraiser. She might not have minded so much because her mum is Beyoncé. THE Beyoncé. No embarrassing dad jokes for Blue, just four hit songs in a whirlwind performance.
Performing Single Ladies, Crazy In Love, XO and Whitney Houston‘s I Will Always Love You, this elementary school fundraiser is going to go down in our books at least as the best fundraiser ever. Complete with backup dancers, Queen B slayed from start to finish, as is to be expected. And, thanks to those in attendance probably losing their fucking shit as this happened, most of it has been filmed and put up online for the rest of us to enjoy. Check out the fan footage below, and start resenting your parents for their poor attempt at school involvement. Yes dad, you may have brought the house down with the story about how you drove away from me in the carpark, but did you cover I Will Always Love You like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIK01w2aFeY
Beyoncé performing at an Elementary School Gala tonight in LA
A video posted by Beyoncé (@beylite) on
Image: Pedestrian TV
Eccentric billionaire, nerd, and all-round cool dude Bill Gates has given hip-hop fans what they have all been clamouring for; public acknowledgement of his name drop in Beyonce‘s latest smash hit, Formation.
In an interview with Wired, the Microsoft genius voiced his surprise that the Queen B had taken it upon herself to include a name drop in the polarising new single, where she declares “I just might be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay.”
“I hadn’t realized that she did that until somebody in the office actually sent me a copy of the lyrics and I said, ‘Are you serious? This is kind of a strange set of words here,” Gates noted, clearly showing that he is not too familiar with the fact that his name is thrown around as a euphemism for extraordinary wealth within hip-hop.
“I guess it’s nice that people consider me successful,” Bill continued. “I actually haven’t met Beyonce. I know Jay Z, because when I did some humour right when I was retiring from Microsoft—he was nice about participating in that, and did a great job on that. I guess I should do a Bing search and see if there are more uses of my name that I don’t know about.”
I’m not sure what’s worse. The fact that Bill Gates has not yet had the pleasure of meeting Beyonce, or that he just used the phrase “I should do a Bing search.”
C’mon Bill, you’re not fooling anyone.
While Formation clearly has Bill Gates perplexed, the song has been met with protest and a polarising response as to the political and racial messages behind the track. Even resident hip-hop hero Killer Mike made his thoughts on the track public.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5BPfRHX1SE]
Image courtesy of Forbes.