MTV has released their contenders for this year’s best video music videos. There is one artist I am ecstatic to see up for music video of the year- Beyoncé. Her music video “Formation”, featured in her full length “Lemonade” film, has been nominated for video of the year.
“Lemonade” (the film) is an important narrative on Beyoncé’s personal struggles, interwoven with reoccurring current issues found within American news media. Beyoncé addresses topics from police brutality to inequality and injustice within communities of color.
MTV has selected “Formation” as the contender to videos from big names such as Drake, Kanye, and Adele. “Drake’s “Hotline Bling” became a video sensation, after showcasing Drake’s awkward dance moves set to a unique backsplash of dancers and geometric visuals.
“Hotline Bling” deserves recognition, but in terms of a video that establishes a clear message, Beyoncé’s work seems to outshine her competitors when it comes to substance.
Of course Adele’s “Hello” has over a billion hits on YouTube, so there’s that.
Over the next few weeks, I will feature a weekly video critique from Beyoncé’s self-titled album. I intended on mainly critiquing “Drunk in Love”. Then I realized B has got multiple music video gems simultaneously poppin’. Cut to:
“Drunk in Love”–lyrically and visually this video has taken a lot of heat. Maybe because it oozes racy hot sex. It is a video that fits its simplistic message. And it works. The black and white ocean scene sets the backdrop for a steamy, scantily-clad Beyoncé shaking it .
Most videos today run on sexually explicit material anyway. The difference is most of them are stale. There aren’t a million back up dancers or stripper poles in this. Not a lot of prop. Just the basics. That is what sets it apart.
The whole point of this song is to convey a real night of hot passion. One that probably really goes down between Jay and B. Or at least we think it does.
All video credit, stills and rights to: Vevo, Hype Williams, , Jay-Z,Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment
“Lemonade” (the film) is an important narrative on Beyoncé’s personal struggles, interwoven with reoccurring current issues found within American news media. Beyoncé addresses topics from police brutality to inequality and injustice within communities of color.
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