What’s the context of formation?
- It was the lead single for lemonade released the day before Beyoncé performed at the Super Bowl final.
- It has won numerous awards and has been nominated at the 59th Grammy award.
- It shows hurricane Katrina and racial tension in America during historical parallels to slavery and racism it also takes Beyoncé to her roots.
- The performance at Super Bowl resulted in high profit.
What are the intertextual references?
The antebellum dress contrast the usual part revealing costumes and is a reference to slavery
‘Bama’ is classist and racist slang for working-class blacks aimed at those who don’t behave properly
Ferguson unrest: powerful scene of black child dancing which is reminiscent of police officers seen in Ferguson where Brown was shot before they put their hands up to surrender.
Super bowl they shaped into an X to reference Malcolm X (advocate for Black rights)
Messy Mya was shot in NO, a controversial African American celeb “What happened at New Wil’ins?”
Stop shooting us references Black lives matter
Illuminati
“Bounce” from the BEAT documentary celebrating black culture
Martin Luther King newspaper “The Truth - More than a dreamer”
Michael Jackson outfit at Super Bowl
How is Beyoncé represented?
- Direct address in the police car gives a stronger message, wearing a covered dress
- Revealing outfits - sexualising herself or embracing empowerment and staying true to herself. Balanced by her powerful figure.
What would Baudrillard say?
- Challenges the idea that the media doesn’t refer to anything real.
What would Gilroy say?
- She’s subverting expectation and placing herself (Black woman) in a position of power and domination.
- However, her dad said she’s this famous as she’s a light skinned black woman.
What would bell hooks say?
- Offers a message about gender and female domination in the video.
- Although it could be a lifestyle choice rather than being politically motivated.
