So, I wasn’t going to do this. Every publication both large and small has or will have a piece surrounding Lemonade; I was just going to let everyone read one of those. Also, a few people said they were looking forward to reading what I had to say about Lemonade, so along with every other journalist, blogger, content creator and etc out there I decided to do a little somethin’ somethin’.
So let me just say this, THE QUEEN HAS OUT DONE HERSELF THIS TIME!
If you’ve been living under a rock since Saturday night and have no idea what I’m speaking of, Beyonce released her 12-track visual album via HBO at 9 p.m. Saturday night. The 12-track visual album was interlaced with the most compelling, angelic yet formidable poetry I’ve ever heard by Warsan Shire along with bold, enticing imagery. All of these beautiful works of art harmonize to tell a story that is often experienced but laborious to describe.
All and all, Lemonade is an ode to Beyonce’s deep southern roots, love and relationships, the sobering tenacity it takes to recover after being betrayed, but most importantly, it’s an ode to Black women.
In the Don’t Hurt Yourself video, we hear the late Malcolm X saying, “The most disrespected woman in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman.” In the Freedom video, we see Beyonce performing to an intimate crowd of beautiful black women of all shades, ages, backgrounds. Lemonade is an expressive dissertation put to music laced with love and empowerment. It is penned to the marginalized group who’s stories are often discarded, disregarded, and erased.
The brilliant April Reign said this:
Lastly, I just want everyone to stop jumping at Whit Chamberlin heights to conclusions. We have no idea if this is Beyonce’s personal experience in her marriage, a story she witnessed first-hand, or a story she just wanted to tell. Everything is just speculation, and that’s the beauty of their marriage. We never know what’s really going on (that’s a Word right there).
Granted that the rumors are true, I just love how the internet is only attacking Rachel Roy, the alleged “Becky with the good hair” Beyonce spoke of in Sorry, and not Jay-Z. The one who stood before God and vowed to love, respect, honor, and all that jazz. But that’s manifested patriarchy for you.
Just enjoy the masterpiece.
Stream it on Tidal: LEMONADE.TIDAL.COM
iTunes: tp://smarturl.it/LEMONADEitunes
Amazon (pre-order): http://www.amazon.com/Lemonade-CD-DVD-Beyonce/dp/B01EPOY1AQ
Avery Ware 