The "Power" of Beyonce's P-Pop
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 4:39PM So Beyonce's much-anticipated, highly-delayed video finally debuted on American Idol last night. Was it worth the wait? "Yes!" I watched it this morning on YouTube (I'm working on Belle Book Two. Nothing comes between me and my laptop.) “Who Run the World (Girls)” is like Janet Jackson's “Rhythm Nation” meets Michael Jackson's "Bad" choreographed by Bob Fosse in the middle of District 9. It's totally over the top and a whole lot, which I absolutely loved. The dance sequences? The energy? Bey's evolving iconic imagery? Yes! Yes! Yes!
But... what in the heck was the message? The lyrics are classic Destiny's Child empowerment-lite in the vein of "Independent", "Survivor" and "Single Ladies." Ok. But what do gyrating, garter-wearing women, twerking-off (while sending a shout to college grads, no less) against a male army in the remote desert have to do with women running the world? My takeaway is that if a woman ever wants to be a conquering queen, the power of the P is her best weapon of choice. Um, what?!
"It's just music, a video, You're reading too much into it, D, and it's not that deep." I've heard it all before like Sunshine Anderson. (Pause. Where is she now?) I get it. Bey-Bey- Beyonce's job is to be a pop-star and put out good music with hot beats. (Perhaps this video will resurrect the song, which was tumbling down charts faster than tumble- weave on 125th.) Depth doesn't have to be her domain, but wouldn't it be nice if it was?
Maybe if more young women saw real substance in pop culture (think Lauryn Hill circa '96 and yes, I'm officially old for reminiscing about "back in my day") then they wouldn't tragically comment on blogs about Beyonce being the new Gloria Steinem (actual comparison made on YBF. No hyperbole by me), completely missing that there's a difference between p-popping and actual empowerment. And they would know there’s more in a woman's arsenal than looking fierce, whipping hair and inspiring male lust.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste and so is a perfectly good video that doesn’t match the song. Despite the declarations in the lyrics (and the unrelated hotness of the video), it's a still a man's world, and it will always be as long as women think their vaginas are where their power lies.
Demetria L. Lucas is the Relationships Editor at Essence Magazine and the author of A Belle in Brooklyn: Your Go-to Girl for Living Your Best Single Life, which debuts June 14. Follow her on Twitter at @abelleinbk
Reader Comments (45)
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Haven't seen the video yet (will do so when I get home from work), but the song is catchy. That said, I react to it differently as a 33-year-old than I probably would have as a 23-year-old. It's got a lot of feel-good lyrics and all that, but when she got to this part...
"Strong enough to bare the children
Then get back to business,"
I was like, oh heck naw.
I haven't had any children yet, but you better believe I'm not trying to get "back to business" after popping a few out! I'm not even trying to "do everything" to fit some kind of skrong woman image... if I have to get "back to business" because of circumstances outside my control, that's one thing, but after having kids, my "business" is shifting.
(Yeah, I know it's a song, but you know how we do in internalizing all this stuff...)
lord, I was bored a minute into this video. I didnt even hear the lyrics; too distracted by everything else going on and trying to figure out who and why and what and how.
if it wasnt the outfit changes I wouldve clicked off. I used to be drawn in by her dance moves but even that was lackluster for this video. I'm not sure how or why Bey has risen to the place she has. her songs are unforgettable. Is she a fab entertainer? sure. Of course she's beautiful and sexy and curvy and all the rest of that good stuff that's easy on the eyes, but then what? I'm still wondering. honestly, i wasnt even pulled in by the girating. I'm just so confused.
Off topic but answer to your question: Sunshine Anderson is allegedly doing hair in Atlanta, GA--can't confirm or deny but that is what I heard.
When I watched the video I thought the same thing. I loved it, but why should I have to explain to my 14 year old niece what the message was here. No it was not be pretty and work that body to show you can take on anything (my niece has been saving money for Harvard since she was 10).
I keep waiting for the moment when Bey is going to decide she wants to do more then just make money and make timeless music. I will just keep waiting I guess...
Boo. I dunno, i agree the video concept could have been a lot stronger, but it's not so deep as to say "girl power" = "p power" / "our power is on our p." She's dancing all throughout.. if she was just grinding and writhing and it was more gratuitous "sex" shots then maybe you'd have a case.
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I completely agree with you belle! I am highly disappointed by the song. The video was worth the wait for its concept and energy but the song has absolutely no depth. I think its about time Beyonce bring more to the table than the lite female empowerment tunes she releases. At her age and for the time she's been in the game she needs to show some growth and also show that she is a woman with a lot more going on than mere gyrating. I'm in the twenty year old crowd and even I am tired of the lite beyone. Its time for her to use the power of beyonce for sending real messages with real depth!!
YAWN.....( While rolling my eyes) Maybe I dont know good music but to me..this is not it
I'm a certified Bey fan so first let me state that. I felt the message of the video was that we're fierce and can go toe to toe with any man, as evidenced by the snatching of the badge and the salute at the end. Overall message: we can do what we damn well please, including running this mutha. The choreography? I felt it was intricate and energetic, as opposed to raunchy and laced with p-poppin'. I see your point but everybody has a lane and Beyonce and Lauryn Hill aren't in the same one. I'm reminded of when you talked about people expecting Nicki Minaj to cover all the bases that female mc's hold. It's a lot to put on one artist. Also, I don't really mind how she shouted out college grads. I find it respectable she did it at all. That's a first. Anywho, just my two cents. I got what you were saying but uh?? D, I just didn't think it was that deep.
"I keep waiting for the moment when Bey is going to decide she wants to do more then just make money and make timeless music."
Push Pause...when did Beyonce start making timeless music? I doubt 10 years from now I'll be yearning for the times when
"Diva" was on the radio. plus, i checked the lyrics, there is certainly no depth in that song or "Empowerment." maybe it's the freedom to be sexy? i unno.
"It's like I moved on to Shakespeare and she was still reading Dr. Seuss." - a commenter about Beyonce's lackluster lyrics at the age of 29.
Video was eh...ok. Not legend or iconic status. Song is straight garbage. Beyonce stans attack in 5 4 3 2 1...
Beyonce has been OVERRATED since day one. Her work ethic is commendable. She has a good voice. She's an excellent performer. And her dance skills have improved since her Destiny Child days. But "Queen Bey" she is not. Comparison to MJ? Don't even think about it! Legend she may never be. And I'll tell you why. She does NOT make timeless music. Outside of a couple tracks on "Dangerously In Love," I would not bump majority of her songs in five years. Could you honestly say you'd be bumping "Crazy in Love in 2015? What about "Diva"? Yeah, me neither.
Her music is catchy. And Matthew Knowles created a hell of a team behind her for her to succeed. Anybody will start liking a song after the 50-11 time it's played on all the radio stations and has a damn good video. Other than that...she makes bird music. There are more talented artists who don't get half the shine she does.
As Belle asked, what's the message? The message is that sex sells. And if you know how to do a mean p-pop, you will get a ring on it and rule the world. *rolls eyes as I bump Kelly's "Motivation"*
@ allblackeverything
I will most definitely be playing Crazy in Love in 2015, which is only 3 years from now. I mean... really? THAT is a timeless song. I dunno what you were getting at with that one.
Honestly I don't think it was that deep, Belle. I wouldn't blame the artist for people not actively seeking out music of the past and discovering who the artist is influenced by beforehand. That has nothing to do with her, at all. It's the same thing I think whenever I see blog comments talking about hip hop is this and that, and none of them have been actively perusing the Internet to seek any worth a damn. There's no excuse anymore. We have more access to music than we've ever had. Ever.
I've been wanting Beyonce to drop these anthemic songs for years now, and she keeps em coming, and I can only still hope for more maybe later. That's just me. Video was hot visually, song is more of a throwaway she coulda passed onto someone like Keri Hilson. She knows how to make a statement though, and she did so. We all watched.
At this point, I can't be disappointed in Beyonce because this video looks like more of the same from her. If anything, I was kinda shocked people thought this was really an empowerment song with lyrics like, "I think I need a barber, none of these hoes can fade me". Since when do we refer to women as hoes in an empowerment song? :-/
I don't like the song, but the video is pretty entertaining if you're just looking for fashion and choreography (pay no attention to the crucifixion at the 0:28 mark if you have trouble letting empty visual metaphors slide. Paging Lady Gaga). I think, of all her songs, Crazy In Love, Irreplaceable, and Single Ladies will be the ones that really stand the test of time. Unless, of course, she really steps her game up (anything is possible for the future). For now, it seems she's still following trends, not setting them.
honestly, i've been tryin not to like the power moves of beyonce. but she is a force to be reckoned with. she is beyond entertaining. the video is fire! but i only wonder sometimes about her writing skills. can you imagine how much more she would offer the world if she did pursue college. as elitist as you may take it, from what i understand, she has a HS diploma/GED. her writing is emotional and great but it could be so much more. or maybe the songs out now are just to simple for their own good.
@Allblack everything..I really want to disagree with you because I like Bey's music but everything you said was on point. Bey is like a well marketed barbie doll that happens to be talented. I saw her in a commercial once and she seems so plastic. I like her music but as hard as it is to say it really isn't much but sex-filled white noise after a while...*sigh*
A simple trip to Billboard can explain Sunshine's whereabouts:
http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs?chartDate=2011-05-07&order=gainer
I find it funny that she opens the concept of "girls running the world" with the help of two male dancers. All of that dancing and p-popping just so she could *gasp* snatch ol' boy's badge at the end? Her female backup dancers definitely outshined in her some spots. And Ice Cube and Bernie Mac's estate should look into getting a writing credit for the "eff you, pay me" verse.
Perhaps she should've visited baby sis' Solange's "I Decided" video for inspiration for this...I could totally see her paying homage to famous "girls" with tons of historical images in the background.
You have said before everyone has their own lane. Beyonce has her lane. Every artist cannot be everything to everybody. Her music caters to a certain demographic. She has never come out with songs that have deep lyrics. She didn't do it before so why expect her to do it now. If I want to hear an artist sing songs with meaning I will listen to Ledisi, Sandra St. Victor, or Adriana Evans. I don't understand your scrutiny. It's not that deep.
"But... what in the heck was the message?"
Girls run the world.
" "But... what in the heck was the message?"
Girls run the world."
exctly. thought that was clear enough...lol. Y else would i come to the site and avoid the video altogether just to read the comments? (shrugs)
She's talented, but I don't think B has much going on in that head of hers. Would be shocked if she ever reached the level you speak about.
"But... what in the heck was the message?"
Girls run the world."
exctly. thought that was clear enough...lol. Y else would i come to the site and avoid the video altogether just to read the comments? (shrugs)
...shhhhhhhhhhushhhh
It's a Trap!!!!
..shhhhhhhh...
Very well said.
I loved watching her dance in the video but was soooo disappointed. The only thing in the video that stood out for me is that the guy she eye balls at the beginning gives a queen style screwface look. but other than that. I just do not know. Plus is this a sign Matthew Knowles is missing in the mix.
Beyonce is not going anywhere. Yes, we will be listening to her current songs in future years, simply because it is not always about the music. It's about nostalgia, there will be lots of people remembering when... maybe not you (general), but definitely many. Plus, people said the same thing about Madonna, Cher, Janet and Britney and hell, if they aren't considered icons now.
This was the first for me seeing Beyonce's new video. While it's always packed with high-intensity dancing, I become bored and didn't watch it all the way through. Maybe I should have, but that's OK.
" ...shhhhhhhhhhushhhh
It's a Trap!!!!
..shhhhhhhh..."
my bad. did i say that out loud? lol