Queen Bey just bestowed a massive, surprise gift to the citizens of planet Earth. Early on Saturday evening — you’re welcome, party people — she released the video for her powerful new song “Formation.”
Beginning with a shot of her atop a New Orleans police car nearly submerged in flood waters, Beyoncé’s new single deals with: Lack of government response after Hurricane Katrina; the Black Lives Matter movement (one shot has a line of riot police holding up their arms when faced down by a small black boy); and her heritage, rapping “My Daddy Alabama Momma Louisiana/ You mix that Negro with that Creole/ Make a Texas bamma.”
Her ensembles range from Victorian plantation-era styles to Daisy Dukes, and it’s clearly a love-hate letter to the American South. (Oh, and a crazy-adorable Blue Ivy has a cameo.)
We can only hope Bey will perform “Formation” during tomorrow’s Superbowl halftime show.
www.Beyonce.com
Credits
Text Laura Vogel
Video and still courtesy Parkwood Entertainment