Since dropping her visual album on December 13th, Beyoncé has released a few videos. One of the videos released last week was “Drunk In Love.” For those that have listened to the entire album, I think this song is everyone’s favorite or one of their favorites.
In the video, directed by Hype Williams, Beyoncé and her hubby Jay-Z frolic on the beach in Miami. I wouldn’t be surprised if they really were drunk (or at least tipsy) in love while filming.
Would you judge me if I said I want to be drunk in love?!
Goes back to dancing around my house and singing “I’ve been drankin, I’ve been drankin…”
One of my favorite songs from Beyoncé’s new self titled album is “***Flawless.” On the song, Beyoncé samples Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie TED talk. Adichie says:
We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller / We say to girls – you can have ambition, but not too much/ You should aim to be successful but not too successful otherwise you will threaten the man / Because I am female I am expected to aspire to marriage / I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important / A marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support / But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same? / We raise girls to see each other as competitors not for jobs or for accomplishments / Which I think can be a good thing / But for the attention of men / We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are / Feminist: A person who believes in the economic, social and political equality of the sexes.
AMEN!
I had never heard of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie until the song. But after listening to the snippet, I’m interested in what she has to say. Here’s her full TED talk given this past April:
Other interesting facts about Adichie:
Adichie gave her first TED talk, called “The Danger of a Single Story,” in 2009. She tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.” Watch it here.
Her novel Americanah has appeared on many book critics “Best Of” lists for 2013.
Additional novels under her belt include Purple Hibiscus andHalf of a Yellow Sun, as well as a book of short stories titled The Thing Around Your Neck.
Looks like I need to create a new list of books to read in 2014! You can watch the ***Flawless video HERE.
Marsha Ambrosius isn’t one to shy away from social issues in her music videos. In her “Far Away” video, she brought awareness to bullying and suicide. In her video for “Late Nights & Early Mornings,” she visually displayed the consequences of not having safe sex. In her latest video for “Without You,” she reflects on a painful past of sexual child abuse, which won’t allow her to open her heart to Ne-Yo who wants to pursue a relationship with her.
As always, the video is deep but serves as the backdrop to a great song.
I can’t wait for Marsha Ambrosius to release her new album Friends & Lovers which is expected to be released early next year.
Tamar Braxton released the visuals for my second favorite song off her Love & War album. The newest single, “All The Way Home” is another ballad that showcases her vocals; Ms. Braxton better SANG!!!! She features her hubby Vincent in the video showing their breakups and makeups.
I love this song!
Fun facts: This song was written by Sevyn Streeter who released her own EP that is topping the iTunes R&B charts titled Call Me Crazy…But.
John Legend released the video for his beautiful song “All of Me” last week. The black and white video features Legend’s wife Chrissy Teigen and clips from their wedding.
Janelle Monáe recently released the video for her new single “PrimeTime” featuring Miguel. For this video, she stepped away from her normal suit uniform; she looks just as chic in a black and white striped dress (which I love)!Monáe works as a waitress at a dance club who catches the eye of Miguel. The video isn’t over the top but it’s cute. And I love the song!
After releasing the single in April, RaVaughn (who is signed to Ne-Yo’s Compound University) finally premiered the visuals for her second single “Best Friend” earlier this week. She tells the story of being in the friend zone of a male friend, but realizing she wants more. The song and video has been well received; I think it’s because we have all experienced this before!
Instead of creating visuals that truly reflect the song, J. Cole pays tribute to Aiyana Stanley-Jones in his “Crooked Smile” video, the latest single from his album Born Sinner. In 2010, 7-year-old Aiyana was shot by a white police officer when the cops raided the home of a murder suspect.
In the video, J.Cole plays a drug dealer being watched by the DEA. One night with his family takes a turn for the worst when his home is raided by cops. I won’t give the entire video away, but I will say that it definitely feels like you’re watching a movie.
Considering these two went on tour this summer (which was a great concert!) I would’ve expected to see this video sooner.
Today, Jay-Z released the video for his single “Holy Grail” on Facebook. #NewRules. The video is dark and features a few chopped and screwed moments; a nice twist to the song. Check it out!
I love JT’s on this song. If you haven’t seen him in concert, he goes on the 20/20 Experience Wrold Tour this fall!
The internet has been going CRAZY all day over Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” Some are probably wondering “what’s the big deal?” Well 1) it’s been a long time we’ve heard a rap artist actually RAP! This “make it for radio” music has watered down hip hop music. Kendrick Lamar is a true lyricist and reminds us why we all fell in love with hip hop (that sounds like a line from “Brown Sugar”). 2) On this track, he so eloquently told artist to step their game up. When was the last time those in the game were challenged to be better? He brought back the competition in hip hop. Talk about raising the bar!
He raps:
I heard the barbershops be in great debates all the time
Bout who’s the best MC? Kendrick, Jigga and Nas
Eminem, Andre 3000, the rest of y’all
New n-ggas just new n-ggas, don’t get involved
I’m usually homeboys with the same n-ggas I’m rhymin wit
But this is hip hop and them n-ggas should know what time it is
And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha T, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron‘, Tyler, Mac Miller
I got love for you all but I’m tryna murder you n-ggas
Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you n-ggas
Check out the 7min track featuring Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica here:
