The Nation of Islam’s (NOI) leader Louis Farrakhan has declared he will offer Beyoncé protection after a police union encouraged officers to boycott her upcoming concert in Miami. Farrakhan spoke proudly of Bey’s Super Bowl performance and triumphantly addressed the officers, “You’re gonna picket. You’re not gonna offer her police protection. But the FOI will.” The FOI being the Fruit of Islam – the paramilitary division of the Nation of Islam.

Farrakhan’s remarks were in response to a statement released last week by the Miami Fraternal Order of Police announcing they would boycott Beyonce’s upcoming concert and encourage other officers to do the same in response to the “antipolice message” conveyed in her Super Bowl performance and the music video for Formation. Their statement comes after increasing unrest in police departments across the US, as well as a failed protest against her, and accused Beyonce of using the Super Bowl to divide Americans by making references to the Black Panthers.

Farrakhan’s speech took place in Detroit at the NOI’s annual Saviour’s Day in front of over 14,000 followers who erupted with cheers at his support for Beyonce. Farrakhan also talked about Kendrick Lamar, saying he “freed rappers to come on up” and that “now when the rappers are free to say it like it is and say what they feel and teach their people through music and rap and song and dance, the cultural revolution is on.”

I’m guessing the small-minded members of the Miami Fraternal Order of Police are feeling pretty awkward right now.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCHz1gwzTo]

 

Image: YouTube

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you’ll know that Beyoncé’s performance at Super Bowl Half-Time simultaneously stopped the world in awe, and triggered an undeniably backwards and disgusting response from people with nothing better to do than make things they don’t understand their problem. Well, that seems to be continuing.

This week Tennessee sheriff Robert Arnold openly blamed Beyoncé’s performance for a drive-by outside his home, and the seven police deaths that have happened since Super Bowl 50. Here is an excerpt from the statement he gave at a press conference in his county of Rutherford:

“With everything that’s happened since the Super Bowl, with law enforcement as a whole, I think we’ve lost five to seven officers, five deputy sheriffs since the Super Bowl, that’s what I’m thinking. You have Beyoncé’s video and that’s kind of bled over into other things about law enforcement. My comments reflect the violent and senseless killing of seven deputies in the U.S. since the show aired.. for this to happen at my house, it bothers me tremendously..”

Beyoncé’s performance paid homage to the Black Panthers and addressed the #BlackLivesMatter movement, with Mr. Arnold attributing this violence as a reaction to what many have called “a platform to attack police officers”, which we all know to be truly ridiculous.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Hgh7sPDLM]

What’s even more ridiculous is that a man being investigated by the FBI for corruption is being given a platform to spout his views. It’s been revealed that Arnold sold e-ciggaretes to jail inmates through a private company owned by his aunt and uncle, as well being charged for a “failure to adequately train and supervise his staff” after an inmate was brutally beaten in his cell, leading to permanent brain damage. Is his word to be trusted? Or is the U.S.’ problem with violence and gun control an issue completely separate from a performance which asks questions that some people might rather not hear? You be the judge.

 

Image: The Tennessean

Killer Mike visited Real Time With Bill Maher this week, where they discussed Beyoncé’s Super Bowl half-time performance among other issues.

Beyonce’s performance of her new track Formation gained a lot of controversy, with some accusing it as being polarising and anti-police. New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has described the performance as “ridiculous,” saying it was “outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers.”

Mike goes on to explain the message behind her performance. “Let me start by saying this: White people, it’s not always about you.”

“When you hear her talk about the record, she says like first, ‘I’m not in the Illuminati.’ She’s talking to other black people saying, ‘Look stupid, because I’m not at Ferguson when you want me to be doesn’t mean I sold you out.’ And then the rest of the first verse is her telling other black people, ‘I like being black, this is the type of black I am. I like the fact my daughter’s black, I like my old Michael Jackson nose, I like my child with an afro. I like me.’ White people, that conversation wasn’t even for you.”

He linked the performance to black history as taught in school, specifically socialist group Black Panther Party who fought for self defense against the minorities. “The Black Panthers were a socialist group for any downtrodden people, and at that time, they happened to be black, but they said for all people.”

The other panel members, Ana Navarro, Josh Green and Margaret Cho, all chimed in on the conversation. Green looked at those angered by the performance, explaining, “The image of dancing black militants is like their nightmare come to life, and right in the middle of the big game that every Republican is watching.”

Cho remarked, “Black pride doesn’t have to take anything away from white culture. I think this is what Black America needed. It’s what all of us needed.”

During the show, they also spoke about the legislation of marijuana, the war in Iraq and supporting Bernie Sanders.

Watch Mike’s passionate message below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbClS086tdQ

Image: Pitchfork

If you are like me, your whole world would have stopped on Sunday morning when you heard the news that Beyoncé had released a new song. New Queen B was out in the world, so it was automatically going to be a good day. However, perhaps the world wasn’t ready for the powerful messages she had in store for us- but she sure as hell made us pay attention. If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, or you just want to re-watch it for the 1000th time, feast your eyes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrCHz1gwzTo

Embracing her, her family’s, and her people’s heritage, Beyoncé thrust the plight of Black Americans (and in particular, Black American women) into the world spotlight. It’s incredibly powerful, and obviously meant a lot to a lot of people.

Then, Beyoncé went one step further and delivered the best Super Bowl Half-Time Show ever. Stealing the slot from Coldplay (who was actually performing) as well as Bruno Mars, Bey paid homage to the Black Panthers and the #BlackLivesMatter movement with her back up dancers- once again putting the plight of African Americans smack bang on prime time TV. It’s the most watched sporting event in the US, and even the world, and Beyoncé just made everyone pay attention. Amazing, right?

Wrong.

It seems a few people are a bit butthurt that the Queen wasn’t including them in her message. Some even went to say that her performance was “anti-police” and even “anti-women” – and some are *really* angry.

Now, calls to stage an anti-Beyoncé protest have been made, and weirdly enough, people are up for it. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani even went so far as to call the performance “ridiculous”, and said “This is football, not Hollywood. I thought it was really outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers.”

Lead by FOX News, the outcry has become so much that a protest is now going ahead. It’s to be held on February 16, outside the NFL headquarters in Manhattan. Trying to remove “hate speech and racism” from future Super Bowl performances, the organisers have called Beyoncé’s performance a “race-baiting stunt” and have called the Black Panthers a “hate group”- an act which shows just how much they have missed Beyoncé’s point entirely.

Instead of listening to what she is saying, and maybe paying attention to the damn near race war their country is going through right now, these people have cried reverse racism and are set on proving their stupid, misguided point. Thankfully, however, there are a few good eggs still left in the world, and an anti-anti-Beyoncé rally is also set to be held at the same exact time and place as their enemies.

Let’s just hope the anti-Beyoncé people prepare themselves – the Beyhive is not a group you want to mess with.

Image: Billboard

The Red Lobster food chain has reported a 33% rise in sales after Beyoncé referenced the outlet in her latest single Formation.

The outlet reported the spike in sales on Sunday, 24 hours after the songs release online.

According to the song, Red Lobster is the perfect morning-after food, with Queen Bey declaring, “When he fuck me good, I take his ass down to Red Lobster.”

https://youtu.be/LrCHz1gwzTo

The subtle shout out has seen Red Lobster trending on Twitter for the first time in its history, with some listeners reconsidering who they visit the food outlet with.

Despite the opportunity for all manner of innuendo, the food outlet themselves proved a massive disappointment with their reply to the lyric on Twitter, producing this piece of woe.

“It’s clear that Beyoncé has helped create some Red Lobster fans, and we are really grateful to her for that” said Red Lobster CEO Kim Ropdrup.

“We are absolutely delighted with what we saw over the weekend, particularly the consumer sentiment we saw expressed.”

The video for the song was released on Sunday and has already racked up a cozy 13.5 million views.

Beyoncé performed Formation at Monday’s Super Bowl halftime show alongside fellow music heavyweights Coldplay and Bruno Mars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoGTDEPfAyg

 

 

 

Words by Emma Jones and Amy Heycock

Super Bowl 50. What a time to be alive. For those of us who might not be watching for the football here is a list of the best moments that have nothing to do with the sport.

Lady Gaga and Star Spangled Banner

Before Coldplay and the gang took the stage at half time, Lady Gaga opened the Super Bowl with the Star Spangled Banner. Between her Oscars performance last year and this, Gaga seems to be on a mission to prove to everyone she actually has some pretty nice pipes and is a #serious singer, and she’s doing a really great job at it. However, she also did do a pretty threatening hand gesture at the end… Was she just threatening me? Fine, you’re the best Lady Gaga.

Coldplay opening for Beyoncé

The half time show was advertised as Coldplay performing with special guests, and began in true Coldplay style; Chris Martin singing the opening of Yellow whilst the crowd runs around him. He’s a man of the people! The first half of the performance was a medley of Coldplay classics – Viva La Vida, Paradise, and the screams of fans as they desperately try to keep their grip on front man Martin. Why they were putting so much energy when we all knew Beyoncé was coming out soon is beyond me though.

Beyoncé nearly falling over but recovering – like Beyoncé

There was a lot of hype around Beyoncé and Bruno Mars being guest performers this year. Mark Ronson on the decks and friends assisted Bruno in an all leather rendition of Uptown Funk. Beyoncé appeared as only Beyoncé could – amongst a army of dancers and flames. Then something crazy happened Beyoncé almost fell over though, you probably didn’t notice because she recovered like the queen she is.

Both Beyoncé and Bruno Mars eclipsing Coldplay 

By the end, you’d be forgiven for totally forgetting that this was actually Coldplay’s show, until Chris Martin wedged himself between what could have been a dance off between the two actual stars. Sorry if you’re a Coldplay fan, but it seems that no one passed that memo onto Bey and Mars. The Coldplay lyric “I used to rule the world” has never sounded more fitting. The jury has made a decision Chris you are this year’s left shark.

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Image via Tumblr

Honourable mention: Taraji P. Henson

Whilst it’s not actually apart of the half time show, the real MVP from this year’s Super Bowl has to be Empire actress Taraji Henson’s tweet where she may or may not have thought she was watching Maroon 5. Big ups to Coldplay for managing to get someone to like Maroon 5. Taraji deleted her tweet but it will always live on through the magic of screenshots.

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If you still haven’t seen it yet, you can catch the full performance below.

Main image via Stereogum

With new Rihanna just past and new Kanye just around the corner, it was only a matter of time before the Queen herself, Beyoncé, wanted a little slice of the new music pie.

The superstar, who is set to perform at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show alongside Coldplay tomorrow, just released new track Formation. In true Beyoncé fashion, the track has also been released with its own video, artwork, and even a line or merchandise.

It’s really, really good. Powerful in a way so unique to Beyoncé – you couldn’t imagine anyone else performing this track.

Dark and seductive, it begins with Bey rapping a slow hook with a seriously raspy tone, growing more aggressive as it progresses. Soon, it breaks into a melody bound by a trap-heavy rhythm. With sparse, dramatic instrumentation, this marks a really incredible new sound for the superstar, who has not released new music since dropping her last album, Beyoncé, in late 2014.

The video is powerful and at times, really sexy, with a lot of social commentary, including standing atop a sinking New Orleans police car and shots of newspapers with Martin Luther King Jr on the cover. Watch here:

The lyrics are similarly proud and fairly NSFW, with some celebrating her heritage;

“My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma
I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils”

and others brimming with the kind of sexual and personal confidence that only reaffirms Beyoncé’s immense power.

“When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, cause I slay
Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J’s, let him shop up, cause I slay
Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J’s, let him shop up, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
You might just be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay
You might just be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay“

The track was produced by Mike WiLL Made-It – you can download a copy via streaming platform Tidal right here.

And here’s the official artwork:

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Beyoncé has her goals for the new year ready to go, with plans to write and star in a biopic about Saartjie Baartmann. South African Baartmann was famous for her large bottom, which saw her feature as a ‘freak show’ attraction for four years before her death in 1815, at just 25 years old. Often used as an example of the ways in which black women have been degraded and mistreated throughout history, she has gone on to be the subject of activism, poetry, exhibitions and more – including adomestic abuse shelter in Caoe Town named after her.

According to The Sun, sources have revealed Beyoncé’s desire “to be taken seriously as an actress,” setting her sights on Academy Award recognition.

“She now wants to write a screenplay that gains her respect — and hopefully awards — from the film industry, and thinks Saartjie’s story could be her ticket,” The Sun writes.

The singer is reportedly doing extensive research on Baartmann’s life, indicating that this project is being made with the best intentions. If the plan goes ahead and is executed well, she will join the various individuals who have tried to heal the scars of the past and establish a sense of respect for Baartmann’s body, as well as those of other women of colour.

This is not Beyoncé’s first foray into the world of acting. In 2006, she was picked for one of the starring roles as Deena Jones, a character based on Diana Ross, in Dreamgirls. See one of her scenes below. She was also featured in Austin Powers film Goldmember and The Pink Panther.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGYEDhWuP_w]

Apple Music really is just the gift that keeps on giving.

If you’re an avid Drake fan like myself, you will know the excitement that stems from tuning into the latest episode of OVO Sound Radio; the show brought to you by the Six God and his affiliates.

Last episode we were blessed with What A Time To Be Alive, a trap-infused Drake x Future joint EP landing just in time for the summer.

Perhaps, however, the synth heavy beats weren’t really your thing? Maybe the sensual and sultry tones of the Queen B herself, Beyonce, coupled with the booming voice of Drizzy is more up your alley.

The track itself, Can I? is nothing new, having leaked months ago while the internet was just beginning to speculate on the still-unreleased Views from the 6. So while the song is something you may have heard in one fuzzy or muffled form, we were never blessed with a CDQ mix, and it was well worth the wait.

Of course, Hotline Bling continues to dominate the airwaves and without a doubt annoy the friends of any of those who can’t stop singing it. But you can definitely sense another summer anthem on the way – Bey and Drake are two of the most followed, influential artists in the world right now, so this is a pretty big deal.

Rumours aplenty have surrounded the direction and feature list of Views, and the list of rumoured guests continue to grow, including Tinashe, Willow Smith and of course, Queen Bey.

While no official release date is currently known (we may never see one, considering If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was a surprise, and What A Time… came within two days of being announced), we’re hoping it’ll be soon. Surely a release this month would make sense for the October’s Very Own head.

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Those who attended this years Global Citizen Festival were treated to a very special performance when Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder and Queen B came together for an unexpected duet. The pair performed the classic Redemption Song, released by Bob Marley in 1980. Interjected with a speech from Nelson Mandela, the moving number proved its lasting relevance more than thirty years after its original release. The track is stripped back and bare, with just Vedder’s acoustic guitar and the two powerhouse voices.

In a one-time-only blend of voices from the king of grunge and the queen of pop, the harmonies and vocal tango is soft, gorgeous, and a long way from the raspy wails we’re more used to from Vedder. Beyonce shines, as usual, sitting casually in her chair in jeans and a t-shirt, belting out notes that prove her claim to royalty.

Taking place in Central Park New York on Sunday, the Global Citizen Festival is a politically driven event aimed at raising awareness and action to help fight extreme poverty and inequality around the world, and support sustainability for people and the planet. The mega event was headlined by Pearl Jam, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay and featured guest appearances from Michelle Obama, Katie Holmes and a whole lot more.

Check out the performance below and other event footage here.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9sIGpnpZeU]