Formation Delivers
While most of the lyrics in “Formation” are bold, “cocky-like” statements used to represent Beyonce’s present strength of past insecurities, and repetitious rumors, we can agree that the overall theme, message in text, and in visuals are fitting for todays social issues. Using Messy Mya, a Youtube sensation (tragically gunned down in 2010, R.I.P) who gained popularity from videos posted back in the early 2000s about New Orleans and miscellaneous topics well known for having a boisterous, yet truthful way of spreading the news, added flare and question to Beyonce’s record. It set the tone to start off asking;
[Intro: Messy Mya]
What happened after New Orleans?
Bitch, I’m back by popular demand
Not only is it an awesome ode to Messy Mya, and a very “cool” intro that fans will adore, it raises the question, and causes’ people to ask, and question again; “What Happened After New Orleans?”, which many of us, stopped talking about. The fact that Beyonce, in the video, is sitting on top of a sinking police car representing New Orleans and the terrible Hurricane Katrina effects adds an element of unity, and activism to this video and record.
[Refrain: Beyonce]
Y’all haters corny with that illuminati mess
Beyonce even addressed the devil-worshiping, and illuminati rumors. This is the first time we’ve heard the star mention it. There have been hundreds of videos, articles, and references to Beyonce, Jay Z, Rihanna, and more who are linked to the illuminati. A possible secret society that plans to take over the world with money, and technology, and some even believe them to be devil worshipers who gain success because of Lucifer himself. I think people forget, God delivers blessings, and you can gain success from hard work and praising God, which we’ve seen Beyonce do, numerous times, but in true internet-bullying fashion, I’m sure you reading this thinks, well Lucifer was the prettiest Angel in heaven, and the most deceitful. Believe what you want. God Bless You.
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin’)
I’m so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma
I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I got hot sauce in my bag, swag
A subtle mention of her inherited Afrikan Features, proudly, Beyonce boasts about loving who she is and where she’s from. Often in the industry there is pressure to change your nose, your skin tone, your accent, your dialect, and your hair to conform to white european anglo saxon standards. Beyonce makes it clear that she’s not interested, and loves who she is.
[Interlude: Messy Mya + Big Freedia]
Oh yeah baby, oh yeah I, ohhhhh, oh yes I like that
I did not come to play with you hoes
I came to slay, bitch
I like cornbreads and collard greens, bitch
Oh yes, you best to believe it
[Refrain: Beyonce]
Y’all haters corny with that illuminati mess
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin’)
I’m so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma
I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I got hot sauce in my bag, swag
[Chorus: Beyonce]
I see it, I want it
I stunt, yeah, little hornet
I dream it, I work hard
I grind ‘til I own it
Another subtle reference which continues to describe what I mentioned in the latter about working hard to gain success, probably referencing, and making a connection with the “illuminati”, who many believe gives success to people, vs them working hard for it.
I twirl all my haters
Albino alligators
El Camino with the ceiling low
Sippin’ Cuervo with no chaser
Sometimes I go off, I go off
I go hard, I go hard
Get what’s mine, take what’s mine
I’m a star, I’m a star
Cause I slay, slay
I slay, hey, I slay, okay
I slay, okay, all day, okay
I slay, okay, I slay okay
We gon’ slay, slay
Gon’ slay, okay
We slay, okay
I slay, okay
I slay, okay
Okay, okay, I slay, okay
Okay, okay, okay, okay
Okay, okay, ladies, now let’s get in formation, cause I slay
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation, cause I slay
Prove to me you got some coordination
Slay trick, or you get eliminated
[Verse 1: Beyonce]
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, cause I slay
Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J’s, let him shop up, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
You just might be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay
I might just be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay
[Repeat Chorus]
[Bridge: Beyonce]
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation, I slay
Okay ladies, now let’s get in formation
You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation
Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper
[Outro]
Girl I hear something, thunder
Golly this is that water boy, oh lord
The music video offers many scenes with different meanings and references. Even something as simple as the type of hair Beyonce chose to have could change the way a little Afrikan girl sees herself. Beyonce and her dancers wore Afrikan styled braids, afro’s, buns, and twists. Can you imagine being a little girl, or boy with long hair never having to grow up hating it’s thickness, and kinkiness because they can make a reference to a music video and get inspired to look like themselves?
There’s also the referencing of the Church, fueling, and empowering the people. And of course the huge reference of #BLACKLIVESMATTER using an innocent little boy in a hoodie, dancing, looking as adorable and unthreatening as most kids do, and with the lift of his hands commands the “cops” to do the same, with a quick glimpse of a marked wall that reads “STOP SHOOTING US”. Powerful! Ending the video with the symbolic drowning and empowering words to “always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper”.
Another poignant reference, which you’d miss if you didn’t truly pay attention, is the reference to slavery and oppression. If you take a look at the scenes with Beyonce and several men behind her standing on the porch in their suits, in connection with the scene of Beyonce in a corset holding the sun protecting umbrella, and sitting with the other women fanning themselves you’d understand the past reference.
The corset represents the 1900s. Even though slaves were “free” before the 1900s Afrikans were still made to work for white racist, if you add that with the old porch which seems to be aged, in contrast to Afrikan men standing on the porch looking dapper, subtly shows the rise of the Afrikan race. In a sense, it’s like she’s saying, what once was, is no longer, there’s a power in our present.
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Thanks For Reading #SOULdiers
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