Lemonade is the sixth studio album by American singer Beyoncé. It was released on April 23, 2016. Unlike the previous R&B albums, Lemonade features diverse genres like hip hop, electronic, pop, trap, etc. The artist explores a variety of themes like dealing with cheating and depression; however, the album also celebrates her race and culture. By telling her own story through songs, Beyoncé describes the experiences of black women, one of the most vulnerable social groups in America.
Nowadays, social constructs, beauty standards, and ideologies are enforced upon black women by dominating social power. Moreover, today’s media lack the correct representation of minorities. That is why accurate images and representations of Black people have always been important to the Black community (Williams 8). The Beyoncé Lemonade, while sharing personal experience, tailors directly to the black female audience and expresses pride in the artist’s heritage. It is seen especially in the song “Formation,” where the singer appreciates such features as black kinky hair and big noses, which are often seen in society as unattractive. A bold resistance to ill ideologies of sexism and racism is expressed in the lyrics. According to Gerard, “it mirrors what black women must examine, own and empower in a predominantly white culture today” (127).
The main conclusion that can be drawn is that Beyoncé’s music is a significant contribution to discussions of current racial and social issues. It highlights the realities of African women and empowers them to succeed despite all discrimination.
Works Cited
Gerard, Jacqueline. Black Americans in Higher Education: Africana Studies: A Review of Social Science Volume 8. Routledge, 2020.
Williams, Faith G. “Afrocentrism, Hip-Hop, and the “Black Queen: Utilizing Hip-Hop Feminist Methods to Challenge Controlling Images of Black Women.” McNair Scholars Research Journal, vol. 10, no. 1, 2017, pp. 210-223.