Ten Hut: An Examination of Beyoncé’s “Formation”

• In Event: Black Women and Hip Hop

Abstract

In present day times, the struggles of the black community are often unrepresented in mainstream Black entertainment. However, the day before the 2016 Super Bowl world famous singer, performer, actress, and activist released a new music video entitled “Formation”. Both the lyrics of the song and the imagery in the music video were clear forms of cultural resistance. The song and video explored several themes and issues relevant to the current situation of African Americans. In the video, Beyoncé takes a stand against police brutality and references the Black Lives Matter Movement. By filming the video in New Orleans, Beyoncé reminds the viewer of the horrors of Hurricane Katrina. Aside from the video, Beyoncé’s Formation lyrics are representative of several elements and theories related to Black culture, such as African American English, African Womanism, Black southern tradition, the Great Migration, and Black beauty, and Black empowerment. This critique of art examines Beyoncé’s bold and necessary act of cultural resistance through her newest music video “Formation”.

Author

• Jasmin K. Weaver, University of Houston