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1. Beyoncé was born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas.

2. Beyoncé rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the R&B group Destiny's Child, alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in 1997.

3. Throughout her career, Beyoncé has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including 32 Grammy Awards

4. She has also been named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people and Forbes' most powerful women in entertainment.

5. Beyoncé is also an accomplished actress, having appeared in films such as "Dreamgirls," for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, "Cadillac Records," and Disney's live-action adaptation of "The Lion King," in which she voiced the character of Nala.

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1. The song “Formation” was released on February 6, 2016.

2. The song was released under the label Parkwood Entertainment, which is Beyoncé's own entertainment company.

3. The intended audience for "Formation" is diverse, but the song particularly resonated with black communities, feminists, and individuals advocating for social justice and racial equality.

4. "Formation" falls under the genre of contemporary R&B, with elements of hip-hop and trap music.

5. The song's release came during a time of heightened racial tensions in the United States, following a series of high-profile cases of police violence against black individuals. It became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement and contributed to broader conversations about race, identity, and social justice.

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"Formation" by Beyoncé is a socially and culturally significant song that addresses themes of black empowerment, racial identity, and social justice. Beyoncé wrote this to celebrate and assert her own blackness while showing the experiences and struggles faced by black communities. The message of the song revolves around embracing black culture, celebrating black beauty, and fostering unity within the black community. She highlights the resilience and strength of black individuals, challenging societal norms and stereotypes. Beyoncé appeals to the listener through a combination of emotion, and a strong sense of pride. The lyrics evoke a sense of empowerment and self-love, encouraging listeners to embrace their heritage and take pride in their identity. The song also incorporates elements of protest and resistance, utilizing powerful imagery and references to historical events and movements to amplify its message. "Formation" connects deeply to culture by addressing issues of race, representation, and social activism. The song sparked important conversations about blackness, police brutality, and systemic racism, particularly within the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. It became an anthem for black empowerment and a rallying cry for social justice, resonating with diverse communities who were seeking a voice and platform for their experiences. The lyrics reveal the values of its listeners, emphasizing themes of self-worth, resilience, and social responsibility. The song values black pride, cultural heritage, and unity. It challenges societal expectations and stereotypes by asserting the beauty and strength of blackness. While "Formation" confronts stereotypes and challenges societal norms, it does not rely on perpetuating stereotypes within its lyrics. Instead, it seeks to dismantle and redefine existing narratives, celebrating the diversity and complexity of black experiences.

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I enjoyed listening to the song “Formation” because it is catchy and also talks about the social issues in the world. I liked how she was able to use her platform to raise awareness to these kinds of issues. I believe Beyoncé was able to achieve and celebrate blackness and bring attention to social issues that are specifically affecting black communities. The song addresses racial inequality which is a reason it can be controversial. The song speaks to black individuals which is why it might resonate with them more than others. Black people will feel black empowerment because they share the same experiences as shared in the song. If one does not resonate with this they might not feel the urge to listen to it all the time. Although I am not black I can note that this song has had a profound impact on black communities. It has advocated for racial equality and social justice. The song has become an anthem for empowerment and has inspired many individuals to embrace their cultural heritage and stand up against injustice. I have seen many Black Lives Matter protests and have seen the struggles of the black community and realize that the song “Formation” is a great example of the inequalities people face because of the color of their skin.

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Beyoncé surprise-released a pro-black trap anthem, "Formation," on Saturday, the eve of her 2016 Super Bowl halftime performance with Coldplay, calling on black women to unite while marking her return to the music limelight. The song comes just after the musician's husband Jay Z's music streaming service announced it would be donating $1.5 million to Black Lives Matter and other racial equality-focused social justice groups and movements.

"Formation" is available for streaming and download exclusively on Tidal, with a music video also on YouTube. Throughout the song, Bey serves up lyrics that embrace her blackness and southern stereotypes while further aligning herself with the Black Lives Matter movement.

In the song's introduction, Beyoncé makes a nod to her haters, who continue to insinuate she and Jay Z are part of a larger Illuminati conspiracy theory, as well as her friend Riccardo Tisci, who has provided a custom Givenchy dress for her to attend the annual Met Gala each year since 2012:

Mic/YouTube

"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."

It's once the beat picks up and the tempo begins to rise when the singer digs into her family roots, describing her mother's heritage as Louisiana Creole and her father as an African-American man from Alabama. There is a diverse and politicized racial landscape in Louisiana, where Creoles, or descendants of French settlers, are typically considered distinct from black, even if a person has African ancestry.

The musician and fashion icon also begins reclaiming stereotypes like "bamma," a term to describe someone lacking in style or flare, typically from the south:

"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."

Then, in an ode to powerful black women around the world, Bey lines up with a group of dancers and begins the song's chorus:

"I see it I want it / I stunt, yeah, little hornet / I grind 'til I own it / I twirl on them haters / Albino Alligators / El Camino with the seat low sipping Cuervo with no chaser / Sometimes I go off, 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."

Though the song is largely a social justice anthem, Beyoncé does find time fit in a few controversial lines, including one where she admits to bringing Jay Z to Red Lobster after a good session under the sheets:

"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)."

Watch "Formation" below:

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"Formation" Lyrics: Meaning Behind Beyoncé's New Black Power Anthem

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Beyoncé surprise-released a pro-black trap anthem, "Formation," on Saturday, the eve of her 2016 Super Bowl halftime performance with Coldplay, calling on black women to unite while marking her return to the music limelight.