web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Tag: Beyonce

  • Beyonce’s Video For “If I Were A Boy” – Great Concept, But Is It Too Much Of A Stereotype?

    The video to Beyonce’s new single If I Were A Boy features a great concept, is awesomely shot, and will definitely give couples something to think about.

    My cousin pointed this out on her Facebook page, and I decided to give it a look. I don’t necessarily agree with Beyonce’s message, but I’m glad I watched the video.

    The song itself is Beyonce complaining out loud about gender equality in relationships. I’m not sure if it’s biographical or not (didn’t you immediately think Jay-Z and Rihanna?), but she’s definitely trying to give you the idea that guys get away with being disrespectful in relationships and she shows how hurtful it really is.

    It’s Beyonce’s song and she has the freedom at this point in her career to say whatever she wants. And I’m actually glad she does say something with her music. But I do think it’s a big time stereotype. I’ve never flirted with another girl in front of my woman’s face and then said, “It’s not like I’m sleeping with her,” so maybe I’m not someone who can relate to her message.

    What do y’all think?

  • Single Life: Special Beyonce Edition: Single Ladies and If I Were a Boy

    For her upcoming third solo album, the lovely Beyonce Knowles has decided to grace us with two singles at once. “If I Were a Boy” and “Single Ladies” are the two opening tracks from her new, as yet untitled album, which is scheduled to hit stores in mid-November. The videos premiere later today, but until then, I’m sure you’re wondering what the songs sound like (if you haven’t heard them already). You can check them out for yourself on Beyonce’s website.

    “If I Were a Boy” is something of a departure for Beyonce. Before actually hearing the song, I was a little concerned that the theme and the song would rip off Ciara’s recent hit “Like a Boy”. While the two songs are thematically similar, Beyonce’s song is more mature from a lyrical and musical standpoint (it should go without saying that Beyonce is a much better singer than Ciara ever will be). I would have loved to hear Beyonce go for the full-on rock treatment and use live drums here, but the song’s still pretty impressive. On the other hand, “Single Ladies” starts off in the same let’s-go-to-the-club vibe as previous Beyonce/ singles like “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” and “Get Me Bodied”. As such, it’s significantly less enjoyable than “If I Were a Boy”. It’s not a bad song per se-again, the beauty of someone as vocally talented as Beyonce is that anything she records is going to at the very least be interesting. However, it’s certainly a letdown after “If I Were a Boy”. Let’s hope that her upcoming album contains more material like “If I Were a Boy” and less material like “Single Ladies”.

  • MHW News Roundup: Estelle Has an iTunes Oops, Noel Gallagher Gets What For & More!!

    Hey folks, here are some of the headlines floating through the music world this week, and no, I’m not talking about Kanye West’s arrest.

    “American Boy”…now you see it…now you don’t…now you see it again!!

    Following the lead of Kid Rock, whose “Rock & Roll Jesus”album has sold 2 million copies + without any digital media services, Atlantic Records pulled British singer’s “American Boy”off of iTunes about two weeks ago,although the song had climbed into the Top Ten on the Billboard charts. This was done with the intention of spurring album sales-remember back in the days when labels would take singles out of print or not release them at all to get you to buy the album? Same premise. However, fans didn’t exactly take the bait. Estelle’s “Shine” (which is a legitimately good album) actually FELL in sales last week. Lo and behold, “American Boy” is now available digitally again. Don’t you just love the record industry?

    Here’s the video for Estelle’s smokin’ new single “Pretty Please (Love Me)”

    (more…)