This Post Isn’t About Beyonce. Nope. Not At All.

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o-BEYONCE-BOW-DOWN-570So Beyonce puts a song out and people collectively lose their sh*t. But this isn’t about Beyonce’s song(s) “Bow Down/I Been On” which I personally like, well the “Bow Down” portion. I rather hate the “I Been On” portion.

And it’s not really about her, per se.

Naw, this is about the response to such. See, I’m actually amazed at how much people care. There are folks who are writing commentary that is claiming the song is decidedly anti-feminist. There are myriad stories about how the music doesn’t fit her image. There are full fledge dissections of the lyrics. I mean, why is she telling women to bow down that are already beneath her; isn’t that just piling on?

That plus the fact that she’s going in a completely different direction and has laid down with the dogs by releasing this music. She used to be so far above the fray but now she’s placing herself firmly in the realm of the Keri Hilson’s and Keysia/Keyshia/Keisha Cole’s of the world. The latter of who was clearly non-plussed with the song.

I also ready more than one article referencing the fact that it seems like she was listening to ASAP Rocky who attempts to sound Houston-ish at times, decided that she WAS from Houston and hit the studio to make her own rendition of an ASAP Rocky song.

Real talk. What the motherf*ck is going on?

I’m both troubled and impressed by the amount of commentary one single-solitary song that wasn’t even a single, just some music she tossed to her ever faithful and loyal Beyhive. This song has become some defacto stance against…or for…something. If ever there was proof that Beyonce mattered (whether we like or not) it exists in the reaction to this song.

I jokingly mentioned on Twitter that if I were a woman, I’d wake up every morning and play “Bow Down” to get my esteem up for the day. I got quite a bit of pushback lamenting how the song is not empowering but is stereotypically downing other women, and therefore (my assumption) is doing nothing positive. My only issue with that is this: it’s a song, does it have to attempt to change the world?

Understandably in some corners of the Talkeratti, it seemed in direct contrast to some of her messaging. Beyonce has made it a point to be about womanhood and being a beacon, nay, a scion of standing up for the woman’s place! Who run the world? Girls! So it is a bit interesting to see her come thru in the clutch with the battle-rap R&B song. Plus, given her recent documentary and Oprah interview, et al where she was definitely on some mainstream acceptance steez, I can see how it seems odd. But who cares, it’s a song. Does it damage her? No.

In fact the only person who was probably teed off behind the whole thing was Michelle Obama because you know the Obama household is party of the Beyhive. My guess is they all got the email at the same time from Queen Bee’s mailing list and sat around some Presidential wood oak table with an iPad and some presidential speakers and listened together by the fire. Then 30 seconds in, I’m sure Michelle probably gave it the gas face and looked at Barack, who was fervently trying to figure out how to write “bow down, b*tches” into a speech, as if to say, what’s up with your girl? This is unacceptable. In my mind, thats what happened. I’ll bet good money Sasha and Malia bumped that on the way to school though.

The point is, how does one artists one piece of music manage to be so polarizing. Even Lady Gaga wasn’t this polarizing. Madonna was, and of course Eminem, but it seems like its on overkill right now. Perhaps it’s because we live in a society where when everybody has an opinion, and you don’t want to be the person to NOT share that opinion. Or are we so starved for artist that mean something – ironic because its not like Beyonce is Nina Simone out in these streets with her music – that when an artist does something that we don’t agree with (or do) we have to make sure that every possible angle is adhered to and dissected?

What the fuss??

What the hell happened???

(And miss me with the, “I don’t like Beyonce so I didn’t hear the song and couldn’t care less because she can’t sing and I don’t see what the big deal is.” Obviously you are contrarian. Just because you don’t view her as a big deal doesn’t mean somebody isn’t a big deal. Apparently the internet exploding disagrees with you, I’m asking a larger question.)

What is it that compels something so small to matter so much to so many people?

I’m truly baffled. Help me out.

-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka MR. I RUN THE WORLD WITH GIRLS aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL HE A 3

504 thoughts on “This Post Isn’t About Beyonce. Nope. Not At All.”

    • Exactly! NPR, BBC and Potus Radio for me. I had to google the song…and now I have some thoughts.

      1. Why Bey? While I will likely make Bow Down my alarm song, I am curious as to the inspiration. Of course, as a SUPER Jay fan, I always hated when he felt compelled to address beef with people who were so far from his lever because in doing so he made them more popular. Same with this song. Now everyone wants to know who it’s directed at which will likely make some irrelevant unpopular person an instant sensation.

      2. What is a Black feminist? And why are “Black feminists” so bothered by the song. She says I’m not just a wife, I make my own way and accurately declares her position in her industry and I don’t think anyone can argue with that.

      SN: in an age when my taking my husband’s name can be regarded in a negative light , I truly respect Bey for bucking the whole superstar tradition of keeping their name and their individuality for business purpose. I love that she is so boldly asserting herself as Mrs. Carter while continuing to rep her brand. “Black Feminist” should be happy to see a successful woman demonstrating that you can be a wife, a mother, and maintain creative authority of your own global brand and make hundreds of million dollars on your own strengths.

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  2. I can take or leave Beyonce since Sasha Fierce where she tried so very hard to convince us of her gangsta.

    But I’m always down for smacking tricks so, while I don’t actually like the song, I’ll allow it.

    As for why Bey’s so polarizing, I don’t know. Seems you have to love her or hate her; no middle ground is supported. The media has a lot to do with that. It’s made room for the Beyhive and the Beyhaters to thirst and thrive on every single thing she says and does.

    If Beyonce wants to tell folks to bow down, let her. If you want to bow down to her, seek help.

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  3. It matters because Beyonce.

    If any other artist (hi rihanna) made this? snoozefest.

    But to be like “oh im about loving yourself and women being strong and powerful *group hugs*”

    and then you drop a “bow down bitch ‘you wanna be me so baaaaad’ *kimbella voice*” track

    nah.

    plus she’s 30+, married w children and a millionaire. She’s pigeonholed. Hoodrat antics only get you so far.

    And I still don’t believe you, Bey.

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    • +1
      I don’t get it either, she doesn’t need the publicity. It smacks of something…the fact that she is an A-list megastar, means she shouldn’t need to pull stunts like this. I would expect this from an artist who’s trying to move a few more units on iTunes, to get the record label off her back. Again, it MATTERS because she MATTERS. Should have called papa Knowles on this one.

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  4. People need to get a damn life. Nite yall. But I’m prolly just mad cuz it’s the official first day of spring, & it’s gonna be 29 friggin degrees in atlanta tomorrow nite smdh. I’m so ready to turn my heat off & save money. But, no such luck. Screw you, Georgia Power!!

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    • Girl, I don’t wanna tell you, but it was 86 here today and right now it’s 76. I opened all the windows and doors in the house to get that breeze going, ya know? I think that’s ‘you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl’ sort of thing. Wait until August when my arse is roasting at 120! *cries just thinking about the ‘dogs days’ of summer in the freaking desert!*

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      • Yasss! Dats what I’m talkn bout. I LOVE airing my house out & sleeping with the windows open at night (I’m on the 3rd floor). That’s why I could never have a ground-floor apt, cuz I’d be to afraid of a rapist coming thru my window, cuz I will never give up being able to leave them open. I love sleeping in the fresh air.

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        • Yup, I leave the windows open now and it feels GOOOOOOODDDDDD. It was interesting a couple nights ago tho because I could hear the coyotes wimping and howling. I’m thankful to have high walls on the back side of the house ’cause girl I live in the middle of nowhere. Literally.

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          • coyotes said you?? and you only got high walls on the back of the crib?? so, can they just walk up to the front door, or jump on you from the side?? lol…shyyyyyt…i’m scared sitting in my office right now! i got hella deers in my neighborhood and i don’t like fuggin with them either – especially the stags…they stare you down like *bytch, what?*

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              • Camille and Rewind, I can’t with you to sometimes.

                And Rewind, you know good and well the last time you saw nature was at the zoo. Negro, you know you stay in NYC. Stop.

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                • Rewind just fuggin’ with me cause he knows I like to eat…and was ready to risk my life for some food during a lockdown situation I got caught in the other day….

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                  • I still read that damn e-mail and laugh. Crazy ass.

                    Take me out to lunch Camille! We can laugh at chickenheads waiting at Red Lobster.

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                    • lol..whatever rewind…the lockdown was not to be fugged with…all on cnn and shyt…thinking i need to change drs…

                • “And Rewind, you know good and well the last time you saw nature was at the zoo. Negro, you know you stay in NYC. Stop.”

                  more like last time he turned on animal planet…lol..

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                • Woman please. For nature, I just need to go out my door. In the last 3 years, I’ve had possums, raccoons, snakes, and exotic squirrels make a home underneath my house.

                  I might just enlist with Animal Control if this keeps up.

                  And you’re next Mena! If I get your e-mail, you will fall victim. Just ask Camille.

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                  • “I might just enlist with Animal Control if this keeps up”

                    ummmm…you ain’t called nobody to handle that yet?? *makes note to self to NEVER visit rewind at the crib for fear of getting lost in the jungle*

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                • “And Rewind, you know good and well the last time you saw nature was at the zoo. Negro, you know you stay in NYC. Stop.”

                  LMAO!! He gots different kinds of animals there ;)

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                  • lmao now Nilla gonna go in on me.

                    I can’t help it if they like my house for some odd reason even though no such animals should be anywhere near Brooklyn to begin with!

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            • Camille, without being too specific, can you give me an idea what part of town you’re in? The idea of deer staring you down like that is…..well, it’s pretty much the opposite of what I was accustomed to in my old neighborhood in Indy. :D

              My guess is that you’re near Fort Ben or you’re near Eagle Creek. Although in all the time I spent at Eagle Creek, I never saw a deer, so….

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              • lol! you’re almost dead on dignan…i’m in the geist/oaklandon area…and i’m telling you the deer run in gangs round these parts…yeah…they’re in a gangsta club…at least that’s what my son says…

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                  • well HEY there BH!! welcome…*sprinkles vsb glitter all around and pulls out a chair*…please do join the conversations daily as i do…

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                    • Geist, huh? Deer are the least of your worries. You’re aware that there are freshwater piranha in that lake, right?

                    • @dignan….listen…if it ain’t a pool, or an ocean, i ain’t gettin in it…i don’t do lake,pond, creek, ore reservoir water…lol…so i’m good for now..

            • BOL… @ the gangsta deers! Yeah, only have high walls in the back. I live on BLM land and the wild life here is… well… wild!

              I haven’t seen the coyotes here, only heard them. Saw a bob cat one night coming back through the desert. That was interesting. I’m not as concerned about the coyotes as much as the wild cats. Doesn’t really matter how high walls are to them.

              When I was living in Vegas, I saw the coyotes from time-to-time. My daughter was waiting for the school bus one morning and saw one run out of our neighborhood.

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              • nilla i kid you not – i was driving home one night and turned a corner and the biggest stag i have ever seen in my life just appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the d@mn street…his antlers reached from one side of the street to the other..and he literally just stood there and stared at me…so i said – “you got it bruh – take your time” and i sat in my car and waited for him to disappear back into the fog…yep. gangsta.

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                • I don’t mess with nature. We took their home. I have let ducks with their little ducklings cross the street as i just sat there. I don’t run over any animal if i can help it. I once hit a frog and got upset. Little joker hopped out right in front of me and there was nothing i could do :-(

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      • 86?!? What part of the Deep South are you rocking or are you out in Arizona? I would move. 86 in March and The Lord is highly upset at someone.

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        • Yup, in AZ… in the middle of f’n nowhere! Surprised we have internet out here. It’s like a 3rd world country! I just got here about 5mos ago Mena. Trust, I’m working on getting out in 18mos. Sounds like I’m in prison, huh? LOL I guess I sort of am! :(

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    • At least you don’t live in the Midwest. We supposed to be in the 30s day and night til the end of next week. NO BUENO.

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        • I laugh. I remember ATL winters. Meanwhile, here in Portland, we’ve had something like 4 days total where the temp dropped below freezing, and we had absolutely NO SNOW this winter.

          I’ve been salty about it for the past two months.

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      • Thank you for posting this, O. Geography is an interest of mine, and Atlanta geography is especially an interest because I grew up there.

        I’m still reading the article. So far, I’ve found a couple of minor factual errors that could have been easily corrected in editing. For example, the Atlanta University Center is not located in Cascade Heights. It’s located much closer to West End and Castleberry Hill. Also, College Park and Union City are not located in the southeast part of the metro area, they are in the southwest.

        I find it interesting that the only area within the city limits that is demarcated as “working class” is an industrial area where virtually no one lives. Everyone in the city is either creative or service now. It didn’t used to be that way, even just 20 years ago. It certainly wasn’t that way 40 years ago.

        More thoughts in a few minutes.

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        • Yeah the geography in the article is a lil messed up. Rockdale is east of Atlanta.

          The area is constantly changing. My mother stays in the West End/ Westwood area and they demographics are changing.

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        • @Dignan:
          Yes, Florida’s work is highly controversial these days, mainly because it has found to have many flawed assumptions, many of which he has gone on record in admitting himself.

          What was striking to me about ATL was the sheer bifurcation of the city – a true Dickensian scenario. Though the map doesn’t highlight it, I was wondering what the racial composition of the city was, and what percentage of Blacks were living in the northern half of the city. Also, it’s interesting to note that Florida hails the “world reknown hip hip scene” of ATL, which emanates entirely from the southern half of the city – which, per his definition, is NOT the creative class (he makes similar remarks about my hometown of Philly).

          I was also struck by the almost total absence of working class enclaves in ATL as well, something that would be alien to my dad, who was from the area. I truly am the last of a dying breed.

          O.

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          • O, having looked more closely at those maps, I fear that my thoughts would be long-winded. I don’t really want to leave a dissertation here in the comments. If you want to throw me an email address, I’d be happy to share more of my thoughts than you probably want to hear.

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          • I will say this, though….something I just noticed. There’s a tract that’s made up entirely of the dorms at Georgia Tech. That tract is listed as creative class, but barely.

            There’s a tract that’s made up almost entirely of the dorms at Morehouse and Spelman. That tract is listed as pretty heavily service class.

            I can’t think of any plausible explanation for those two tracts being listed differently like that. Both tracts are made up of relatively elite college students.

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            • @Dignan,
              Yea, I noticed that too, and it would be very interesting to hear Florida’s explanation for it. I haven’t read the comments on the link I posted, so I’ll get back and do so now…

              O.

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      • Thanx for sharing, O! I will read it over the weeknd & get back on Monday. One thing I do kno off top, is that the north (white, affluent) suburbs want to succeed from Fulton county. It’s a big deal cuz if that were to happen, it would cripple the tax base for the whole county, & bring south (black, poor) atlanta do it’s knees. The racial overtones are clear, & the battle lines are drawn. It’s cray.

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      • IKR? With all this wacky weather year after year, I’m starting to think there’s something to this global warming stuff. And I’m no tree hugger, but some things just can’t be denied smh

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    • Ice, you live in the “A”? I feel ya..I got folks comin down from Detroit this weekend and I promised them 70 degree temps going off of LAST weekend..smh

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  7. I ripped the song off YouTube Sunday afternoon, I actually set it as my alarm (for the time being), I blast it on the way to work. Judge me. *Turns bass all the way up*

    The black feminist pushback on all this is truly amazing to watch unfold. What’s really funny is watching black feminists try to guilt trip other women into thinking they should be just as upset as they are. Ummm….nawl, you can stay mad but I’m going to interpret this art as I see fit.

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    • What’s really funny is watching black feminists try to guilt trip other women into thinking they should be just as upset as they are.

      That’s what they always do. Tis no suprise. I like the song as well. Moreso the production than the lyrics. But watching feminists get their panties in a bunch over this song is truly, truly hilarious.

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      • Hit-Boy is fascinating and I honestly love his work thus far. I think the “I Been On” portion is hit/miss for most people unfamiliar with chopped and screwed. I want to here both songs in their entirety (assuming they actually exist as separate entities) though.

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        • Yea Hit-Boy has yet to produce a bad instrumental. Though my favorites from him are still “I Wish You Would” and “1 Train”.

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        • Yes, I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything Hit-Boy’s produced. Though “I Wish You Would” and “1 Train” remain favorites of mine.

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        • I actually appreciate that song for being chopped and screwed. I like that she gives a shout out to UGK and mentions Pimp C. I feel like she is showing H-Town some love and reppin her city(like a lot of artist from the south do).

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          • Beyonce may SAY she’s from Houston but I feel she only reps it when it suits her. Let’s be real, it’s not the first place that comes to mind when you see/hear her. It’s Jay Z and New York. We all know she’s a New Yorker now. I haven’t heard the song yet. Might go to you tube after this….

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            • Beyonce definitely uses Houston in songs to boost herself when necessary: Deja Vu, Countdown, Run the World, etc. I’m pretty sure Jay references Brooklyn/NY on every track he’s ever laid lol

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            • Nah..she’s no NYer. She just lives her. Might be far removed from Houston but you can’t take the country out of a girl if she’s been gone this long.

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    • i would like to learn the steps and things needed to rip songs of YouTube… pls and thx (((HUGS)))

      i think i made up my own defination for feminist/womanist which just so happens to be the same as alpha.. you do what you want, when you want, because you like it no matter what other people think (*and don’t harm others in the process)

      i think i need to listen to the song again, my first listen i didn’t like the music so i didn’t even bother attempting to listen to the lyrics.. i will try again.. i am perfectly in the middle on King B.. some songs i like, some i don’t, i respect her talent and tenacity but reccomend a break here and there :D

      * hopefully (this part is still a work in progress)

      ** excuse typos, i’m at work saving lives, reading and commenting on VSB and ducking/dodging the man at the same dam* time!

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    • Those Black feminists are low-key upset that women aren’t bowing down to them. In s siterly, supportive, non-judgmental way, of course. But bowing down, nonetheless. ;)

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    • Black people = angry

      Feminists = angry

      Black feminists = epic proportions of unnecessary anger.

      I just f*cking solved the problem. King me.

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  8. That song goes hard. Especially the production, which is what I like most. Though this does seem like song tailor made for Rihanna, though. Rihanna can be ratchet and get away with it, that’s kinda her lane.

    Another reason why I like this song is simple. We pretty much see more personality from Beyonce, in this one song, than in all her interviews and other songs, combined. To me, that is amazing.

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    • I heard someone else mention Rihanna singing this but I don’t see how. Rihanna’s not on a “bow down” level quite yet. Also, it’s a style that represents where she’s from and more suited to her voice (for the little time she sings in it). This is not a Rihanna song.

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    • @ tuk c more personality n all her previous songs & interviews combined…that’s scary.

      Haven’t heard the song yet, but i’ll either like it r I won’t. personally I like b & some of her work. She’s an entertainer & she does that very well. We should all b happy that another human is doing well…& 2 make it even better she’s a woman & she’s black. However, it’s not a cure 4 hiv/aids, doesn’t solve world hunger r any # of relevant issues. I don’t blame B, I place the blame squarely where it belongs…with what passes as the news media & reporters. Bow down 2 infotainment bytches

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  9. some of her music is ok but personally I think this bow down fiasco was just a gimmick to get people talking…and apparently it worked.

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  10. “I don’t like Beyonce so I didn’t hear the song and couldn’t care less because she can’t sing and I don’t see what the big deal is.”

    But, but, but…that’s exactly what I was going to say!

    So, since I can’t say that, I’ll say this; I’m really cynical. I’m cynical enough to believe that Bey’s people sat around trying to figure a way to get her even more attention than she got from the inauguration/ Super Bowl.

    So, they came up with a song they knew would be controversial and cause a lot of hoopla. And, it worked. People are talking about her again just as her new album is ready to drop. Mission accomplished.

    Honestly, this song makes her seem really thirsty to me. It’s so far outside of the box from her usual music that it is just so obvious it was a PR move.

    Sad really.

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    • Hmm you might be right! Just like if she was pregnant or not, or the time she got married to Jay – z people were wonder did they or didn’t they. Her PR team is good but not to good with this new song it sucks. To me she is going backwards instead of forward she is a mother, wife, and for her to act hard when everbody knows she was rised in the suburbs of Third Ward and Sugarland. Its just not good!

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      • I think the difference is her dad isn’t managing her anymore. Like him or not he knew how to build her image and brand. Since she fired him her persona has been getting a little rough around the edges. Like when she sang at the pre-Super Bowl press conference, I’m pretty sure he would have never allowed that nonsense.

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    • “So, they came up with a song they knew would be controversial and cause a lot of hoopla”

      Yeeeepppp!!!

      They ain’t no fools.. For the past 3 days you couldn’t click on a blog and not see this somewhere in the timelines. All of this media attention is going to boost her record sales before the album even debuts and get people to buy those three hundred and change concert seats.

      #NotMeThough…

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  12. I love both songs, because Beyonce has gone completely YOLO. She went from being super private to putting out her documentary, then making an A-side snatching wigs and a B-side getting ratchet. She has not forgotten she’s from Houston, Texas baby. I’m here for ALL of this, and I’m not even a Bey stan

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    • Eh, she’s a New Yorker now. NOBODY down her claims Beyonce like dat. She only reps Houston when it’s profitable/suitable for her, such as now….

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      • I never saw her as a New Yorker. I know she resides there but I still think she just as country as leaving her hair out in the back of those box braids she had.

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        • Yeah, she still country…I suppose all I’m sayin is, I understand she’s big time now, but she rarely shows up here and interacts within the city/community.(To my knowledge. I have been gone myself for awhile) Most stars from here, big or small always come back and show much love and is shown much love. As Champ, stated in one of his posts about being in Tx last weekend. Tx will rep their home and their people all day (If we claim you like dat) and outside of Bey’s die hard stans, Houston as a city doesn’t hold her down like that, partly because she’s NEVER here or involved with Houston like that. (Of course I don’t speak for the entire city of Houston, this is just from my view as a lifelong resident.)

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          • It’s the same with Kelly from DC. She’s born and raised here. What does she put on her facebook profile as the city she’s from? Atlanta, Georgia. It’s like once they blow up they wanna rep somewhere else, like Houston ain’t hot…until it is.

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  13. Seriously sm of yall jus nid to Sit down(or Bow Down :P ) its jus a Phuckin song.relax.she aint the 1st artist eithr male or female to sing a self praisin tune.Rihanna does it o d tym only diffrence z she praises herself sexualy whch Bey actually has the courtesy not to coz thats jus plain snooty.I love the beat(s).people owez tokin bout how boring and Predictable Bey z n how she needs to get out of hr box n do smthn diffrent n there you have it,n yet u cnt even handle it.Pshhh,Bow ya heads n asses Down.Its BeySeason n she done stung yall oryt.Yassss!! Its jus a song.u either lyk it or u dont.simple.

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  14. Wow, PJ, I just read about this on FB and you talking about it too? Must be SOMETHING. What, I ain’t quite sure.

    But, Rush Limbaugh can kiss my lilly white arse with his neanderthal cave man, backwards thinking, micro pennus, dwelling self! Yeah, I said it.

    “Rush Limbaugh: Beyonce’s new song means she ‘understands it’s worth it to bow down’ to men”

    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/rush-limbaugh-beyonce-anti-feminist-article-1.1294359#ixzz2O9JABeVR

    I HOPE, I PRAY, I NEVER see this man in person. Him or Sean whatever his name on Fox. They both irk the shyt out of me.

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  15. I haven’t heard the song, honestly, I’ve purposely avoided it. Not to be a contrarion but because I noticed this debate brewing when the song was released and I wanted to see how it would play out without hearing the song. I may listen to it sometime next week when Bossip, Twitter, MediaTakeOut, et al are on to the next Black “pop culture” crisis.
    I’m not a Beyonce fan. I must be one of the rare few who are indifferent toward her. There’s a line in Dreamgirls where Foxx’s character tells B’s character (paraphrasing) he chose her to sing lead because her voice is generic. To me that sums up Beyonce in real life. I think this song (and anything she does) is a big deal because Beyonce really gives little about her “personality” publicly. She’s generic. It is clear she is extremely image-conscious and calculating about what/how much of her the public sees. So when something like this comes out that doesn’t mesh with the constructed images people go crazy assuming this is the “real” Beyonce coming out. Which is hilarious because it’s just another calculated move on her part. She releases this song and “stans” lap it up, proclaim it’s her response to KH/KC or that people shouldn’t be so sensitive and “let B live” and bow down to her greatness. While her detractors argue that this is SOOOO against everything she supposedly stands for and it’s an example of why she’s not a quality artist. And with minimal effort she’s a topic of discussion like THAT. Beyonce’s done no work, no publicity, no promotion but everyone is discussing her and her motivations without her having to clarify or share them.
    As you noted it’s a throwaway song. For all we know she recorded it eight years ago. That song may be about Kelly trying to borrow her flat iron on a tour bus. But you don’t know. That’s the big deal and appeal of Beyonce. She is so generic you can project on to her whatever you want to. She gives you little depth past what you hear on a track. Take any song – Single Ladies for example. If you love her – the video was revolutionary; she really stands up for women, knows where they are coming from and encourages them to know he’s not important if he won’t put a ring on it. If you hate her, the video was a rip-off of Bob Fosse and she’s encouraging women to be bitter when men move on to other relationships.
    For someone who loves the Jill Scotts/Erykah Badus/Angie Stones of the world it is confusing that someone who rarely rights her own lyrics, can’t play an instrument or produce her own sound is so celebrated. Those ladies give such texture and context to their music like a rich, vibrant painting. Beyonce is color-by-numbers and gets treated like the Sistine Chapel. Keri Hilson wrote Diva and gets so much flack from Beyonce fans it’s ridiculous. OK, I’ve gotten off on random diatribes now.
    In the end, it’s a big deal because Beyonce has become the popular girl on the playground who has her minions do her dirty deeds while she gets to appear as a good girl just hanging around. Her fans are going to hate this comparison but to me she and Sarah Palin fall into the same category. Superstars who lack substance with loyal, devoted, unquestioning followers who have some sort of media appeal that no one can describe but it gets them over. And more power to them for being able to do so, but since I don’t have that power I’mma head back to my studies because finals are five weeks away and Beyonce ain’t gonna pass them for me.

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      • She really didn’t say anything negative. So yea indifferent. I feel the same way. I don’t get upset when Beyonce is on the radio but if she never had another song I’d feel about the same.

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        • Doesn’t have to be negative. But to be so indifferent about an artist, one sure put a noticeable effort analyzing and dissecting what they do. That’s my point. If you truly didn’t care about an artist, you wouldn’t make an effort to delve that deeply into their activities, comtemplating their fame (even going so far as to name drop people you feel are more deserving), etc. Because…you don’t care…

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          • Well played but, yeah…indifferent. I wouldn’t have said all this out of the clear blue sky. But if I’m gonna comment on something I’mma think about it then respond. Like I said I’ve been following the story for a week or so to see what happens. It’s been an interesting debate.

            On the flip side, I’m gonna take this as a sign my political philosophy class is rubbing off into other areas of life if this is considered “noticeable effort analyzing and dissecting” something cause I don’t feel like it took much thought or time on my end. So I guess I’m not writing these three page response papers to one section of Plato’s Republic and Rousseau’s Emile for nothing!

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          • “There are folks who are writing commentary that is claiming the song is decidedly anti-feminist… There are full fledge dissections of the lyrics.”

            Unless that’s your job, that is in-line with a career that you want to pursue, or that is providing any kind of R.O.I (return on investment), the people dissecting and discovering things in this song are wasting time.

            It’s music. Maybe it’s as simple as Beyonce liked the sound, had a few ideas, wanted to play with the sound, developed this, and then released the product.

            Why spend time reading into something and “finding” things that really aren’t there but are a reflection of the topics/surroundings of your personal environment or things you deal with? People take this a little too seriously.

            “I got quite a bit of pushback lamenting how the song is not empowering but is stereotypically downing other women, and therefore (my assumption) is doing nothing positive. My only issue with that is this: it’s a song, does it have to attempt to change the world?”

            As for this, I reference Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote that says, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Beyonce was just talking greasy and all of a sudden, she’s beating people up. Like Panama, said, it’s just music.

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      • Probably because Keri Hilson dedicated a whole song verse to dissing Beyonce’. And was going so far as to refusing to hold a magazine because it had Beyonce on the cover (yes, this literally happened). I gues the Beyhive still upset about that.

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      • Keri wrote quite a few hit songs before her foray into being a performer. She wrote stuff for a bunch of people like Brittney Spears. I really think she should have stuck with the songwriting.

        Reply ↓

        • Ageeed. Kandi is also one of those writers who should just stick to putting out hits for others. Scrubs is what she’ll forever be remembered for and that’s fine.

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          • Yep, Kandi is so all over the place. Lol. Gospel songs, chex toys, r&b songs, reality shows. She definitely needs to get back to the songwriting and stop ruining her musical legacy with all that other craziness.

            Reply ↓

            • Just doing the most with the least that woman. But I guess I can see how as a writer you’d feel some type of way about your work being received by the masses who don’t even care about your existence lol

              Reply ↓

              • Nah. She’s a woman about her business with a diverse portfolio, which some may laugh at. But, it is a good business move, not putting all her eggs in one basket.

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                • I get what you’re saying, AM. But, none of that stuff is as successful as her songwriting. So, she should concentrate on getting that on track and then try the other stuff, IMO.

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                  • Rome was not built in a day, Val. Let’s give these other ventures she’s embarked on some time. Just because they are not as successful, or bringing in as much dough is not reason enough for her to just concentrate on songwriting.

                    Reply ↓

                • I understand her business savvy and respect that, however, her singing ship sailed right around the same time the Xscape shipped left the dock.

                  Reply ↓

      • Keri Hilson messed up by not actually vocalizing her beef. She instead just took a few shady shots and then refused to elaborate.I wouldn’t be surprised if she had valid issues with Beyonce , several people in the industry have complained about the way her team handles business, but she didnt air it out, so she just came off as petty.

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    • Bringing up a different class of singers proves what exactly? And why can’t people like/love/appreciate them all? I can run Lianne La Havas all day and still bump Bow Down. It’s just music. Not worthy of an essay in a comment section.

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    • I am a lover of Jill, E.Badu Ledisi etc, and BEY!!! Love that chick. Never understood why so many people have such strong negative feelings about her until Taylor Swift came to the scene. I cannot stand that little girl, but still not enough to write thousand word post or create youtube vids claiming she loves the debil. I think Bey does what most women can’t/won’t. I think she gives enough to her music for it to have depth and yet she maintains a private personal life. Not unlike most of us who are personable at work without being personal. You know me but you don’t KNOW me. I can appreciate her. She is not a Jill and she isn’t trying to be. Jill can’t do what Bey does and she has never tried to either.We have to stop being artist snobs and pretending that there is only one style of art and anything that doesn’t look like that isn’t art. We don’t have to like all of them, but who can really say she doesn’t have enough substance?

      Reply ↓

      • Actually I reread what you said, and that was a smart post. But you it didn’t hurt to listen to the song first before stating what you did, because at least you’ve got evidence on your side.

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  16. I think the song is hot and it’s not that different from any other thing she’s put out (Video phone,DIVA,Upgrade U) she always finds a way to keep it ratchet. The real interesting thing is seeing how many “black feminist” take this song so literal and personal! It’s like there was a collective AAAWWW NO SHE DIDN’T went through the high school cafeteria.

    Most of the time when someone’s bragging in a song you take it and make it your own cause you like that ish talk but something about Beyonce brings out the 16 year old in some chicks. Only now that we all grown phrases like “she think she all that” get replaced with self righteous dissertations and break downs of her kiddie lyrics. Calm down! I shouldn’t have to think this much about a hot beat with a baddie talkin ish on a random track.

    Reply ↓

    • You know, I tend to agree. But I think most of those other songs can be deemed “female empowerment” and this one is about putting some folks in their place. And Queen Bey should be above that…or something.

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  17. Panama, you don’t see the big deal because your not a lame @ss with tons of free time to use on analyzing a throw away song a pop artist makes.

    IMO

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    • +50,999 We up thread talkin bout the damn weather; that’s how much some of us DONT care bout this. It’s not PJ’s fault, it’s his job to cover “controversy.” So I won’t be shooting the messenger today. Luv ya, Peej!! *air kisses*

      Reply ↓

      • Actually it’s not a shot fired at him. It’s a co sign, with shots fired at people who like to stir up controversy for controversy’s sake.

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  18. Just want to put it out there but not all black feminists hate “Bow Down”

    I for one listened to it and kept it moving…it’s a song that was meant to be a club banger and nothing else. period.

    If Beyonce wants to be “hood” whatever she still getting paid.

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  19. Okay since VSB comment section is playing games with me, I’ll repost what I said, sort of.

    I like this song. It goes hard. Though, I like it moreso for the production than anything else. Another reason why I like this song, is because Beyonce has shown more personality in this one song, than she has in every interview and all other songs, combined. To me, that is fascinating.

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  20. Mrs. Jay-Z is not the beacon of feminism so I don’t get the brouhaha over her “ratchet” song, and it having an effect on her supposed feminst ideals.

    Folks whose commentary/critique is reading like a goat testiclucar dissertation need to be ashamed, for Mrs. Carter did something totally left field (read controversial) of her normal scope of thangs to ensure THAT, her name is in your mouths 24/7. That means $$$. She is simply reclaiming her crown as the King or is it Queen or princess of the music industry.

    She has a crazy management team that will make sure, any and all antics-strategies are explored to ensure her permanent reign till the Messiah’s second return. It’s not that deep, then again it could be for intellectuals are weighing innnnnnn. God bless Mama Blue Ivy.

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  21. I honestly don’t have anything to share or add about Beyonce’ one way or another. I wish her all the best.

    But I do have something I would very much like to ask the ladies of VSB…

    I was having a conversation recently where I shared a pet peeve of mine.

    As a Man, I have found it deeply dispiriting whenever a Woman gives me compliments unsolicited. I feel they are often coming from a disingenuous place – kinda what Mike Jones was talking about. When I was told that I should be grateful that someone noticed my efforts toward looking nice, etc, my response was to ask if whether the same thing would apply to a Woman if a Man noticed them; shouldn’t they be grateful too?

    At this point I got the runaround; no, that’s somehow different, I was told. But why, I asked – after all, in both instances, the putative compliments are coming from someone you do not wish to be bothered with at all. Why should one person be grateful, while the other has the right to be righteously indignant?

    Many Women say, often with great force and conviction, that they like making themselves look nice for themselves; I can identify with that as I too like to do things purely for myself, and not for being noticed by others, especially people I don’t know, am not attracted to and wish to have nothing to do with.

    Yet Women are able to have the cultural space to demand that Men whom they are not interested in must or at the very least should refrain from noticing them; fair enough I say – but why then is it wrong for me or any other Man so disposed to request the same in return? Why must there be the assumption that I am to be somehow grateful because some random Women who in all likelihood I do not find desirable or am attracted to in any way, took the time to notice me? Isn’t that just as offensive as the other way around, and if not – why?

    Comments?

    Thanks!

    O.

    Reply ↓

    • i think everyone should be grateful for compliments, say thank you and keep it moving. it’s not hard.

      i can not speak for other women but i know that many of the compliments i get from men are not that nice to begin with… ie hey ma u mad pretty, i love your smile i bet u got a real wet pussC.. now yes that is a compliment BUT come on son..

      i do not know any woman that is mad at a regular compliment and dash a that looks nice on you, i love your dress etc…

      i think it depends on the tone and type of compiment moreso than the compliment itself whether its recieved nicely or not

      Reply ↓

        • Exactly. If a woman’s teeth are white, straight, and don’t come pre-equipped with a British overbite, then saying “You have a nice smile” is actually a fact.

          It is a nice thing to say, but it wasn’t meant to boost the ego.

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      • Compliments are circumstantial. What any person should look more to is the truth.

        If someone says “aye ma, I bet you got that wet wet”…yea..not the most pleasing thing to hear. HOWEVER…if you’ve been known to change the sheets twice during a Saturday smash session..I THINK THAT PERSON MIGHT HAVE A POINT.

        If someone says “you look good for a _______”….still not pleasing to hear…HOWEVER…you don’t know their life story, and the sight of you might have just changed their opinion of people of a certain stature.

        Things aren’t always about our egos. Sometimes people say things because that’s what they are thinking and they’d like to share that thought.

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        • soooo…wow rewind…i never noticed that your left nostril is bigger and more lop-sided than your right, but it really gives your face great character…just thought i’d share…

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    • Lol at O just hijacking the post…..but to answer the question, I don’t mind sincere compliments, but.if that’s her game so to speak, try a new approach. Don’t compliment a shirt you seen me wear before, inquire about a week old haircut, u just finding an excuse to talk, we grown say what you really wanna say.

      Reply ↓

      • Hijacking…I beg your pardon? The current post has more than 150 comments; mine, not even a dozen or so (and I only made two comments myself, the rest were replies) – hardly a takeover. Besides, discussions go all over the place, not just here but most blog venues; its the nature of the beast.

        Anyway, what you said. Women have utterly whacked Game, although it is somewhat amusing to see them attempt it.

        O.

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        • I agree w/ yoles, if it’s a sincere compliment say ty & keep it moving, if it’s an attempt 2 get ur attention…have a convo if ur interested otherwise, ty & keep it moving. No reason 2 b grateful, but that goes 4 both genders.

          Reply ↓

        • @Marshal:
          “Because women want men to have some level of empathy and understanding for their issues, yet they manage to have neither in regards to our own.”

          O: BOOM! – and this is why one of my credos is, Empathy (and Outrage) is Overrated.

          It is because the tacit, implicit assumption in such a thing is that the empathy is to go in one direction – that is, Men having/displaying it toward Women; note all the squawking over socalled rape culture and the like, despite the hardcore facts on the ground that rape has declined in the USA to the tune of EIGHtY PERCENT. Nevertheless, Women demand even more, in this case, along the lines of socalled empathy.

          BUt of course, Women rarely if ever display empathy for the vast majority of Men. We see numerous examples of this everyday, all day. Not only that, but Men are supposed to just keep it movin’; as Ms. Mena attempts to do with me in our exchanges, if we give voice to the slightest bit of discomfort, or to even question the premises upon which these social interactions are premised and are to proceed, then somehow the Man in question is being a socalled diva dude, or is immature, or not a socalled Real Man(TM).

          Talk about a Theatre of The Absurd!

          YES, it is highly important, not only to remain vigilant like Sentinel on watch for all these hypocrisies big and small, but even more important to speak on it, to ask Women to explain it, to hold them accountable for it. As for myself, I’m like an NBA ref who feels some kind of way about a particular player on the court; and if he ain’t careful, he very well could find himself having fouled out before the end of the first quarter.

          And thanks for the website link, Marshal! It’s always good to see Brothas blogging. We need more of it.

          Black Man, Stand UP – and Speak UP

          O.

          Reply ↓

        • I take it your Subjective Side of your brain didn’t read it…… Don’t say then that there is No Real Consensus on Gender Issues, when in actuality you CHOOSE not to be Open-Minded to the fact that Women are Just As FOS, if not More, than Men.

          You are Exhibit A of this very thing, with your Wingwoman being Exhibit B

          Reply ↓

    • O, since you changed the subject, I’m gonna change the subject on YOU. Ha!

      A couple of weeks ago, we were talking about musicians and American Idol. During that conversation, of which you participated considerably, I noticed that one name never got mentioned, and I’d like your opinion. That name — Curtis Mayfield.

      In his prime, Curtis may not have had “the look” that AI was going for, but he definitely had the talent, and he had a gimmick. If I remember correctly, Curtis Mayfield was able to play something like two dozen instruments.

      So I ask you. One week, he’s singing and playing a guitar, and then during the song he picks up a trumpet and plays a solo, then maybe does the same with a trombone, and then finishes with singing and guitar. The next week, he’s singing and playing piano. The next week, he’s singing while playing drums. The next week, he’s on the cello. Etc.

      How well do you think he would do on AI?

      And getting back to the topic of the post, I’m not aware that I’ve ever heard a Beyonce song or a DC song. I hope that this doesn’t result in Panama banning me from the site.

      Reply ↓

      • @Dignan:
        Curtis Mayfield would have had little to no chance of actually winning an American Idol show. He would make for a very entertaining spectacle, perhaps go a bit deep into the latter rounds. But ultimately, he’s too Black-looking and his style of music he plays is way too inaccessible to AI audiences. Idol is a show that is about promoting a certain image. We’ve had this discussion some weeks back.

        O.

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    • Just to be frank, when I hear a chick complain about getting compliments from dudes she doesn’t like, I automatically place her in the winey, brat, arrogant column since she is more upset that the dudes weren’t cute than the actual compliment. It’s very woe is me and quite “I’m all that so why do ugly dudes even think it’s ok to look in my direction.”

      You sound like a diva dude. Take the compliment and keep going. It isn’t that serious. You are above no one that you can’t say a polite “thank you” and walk away.

      Reply ↓

      • well…if i understood sir O correctly, he was annoyed that someone told him that he should be “grateful” for getting a compliment….i’d be annoyed too…b/c who are you to tell me what i should be grateful for – it’s rude..kind of goes to champs post on telling random people to smile…you don’t know why i’m frowning or crying or – just.not.smiling.- at that particular moment and it’s presumptuous at the least.

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          • lol…aly…you know our dear sir O is a beast of a different burden…O, if you don’t want anyone to compliment you, then just walk around with the stankiest face possible and most people will leave you alone…unless they tell you to smile…

            Reply ↓

        • @Ms. CamilleBlue, @Ms. Aly:
          Actually, both of you are correct, and in truth what I said had both components you both pointed out were interlocking with each other. Please allow me to explain.

          The idea is that I should be somehow grateful for an unsolicited compliment (despite the same thing being “different” when the sexes are the other way around; please note that this was not explained by my interlocutor). The two points you both raise in my comment/question are not mutually exclusive.

          O.

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      • @Ms. Mena:
        You response (along with the cosigning of Ms. WIP and Ms. Aly) is most interesting for a number of reasons.

        First, while you are certainly entitled to your opinion of other Women and of myself, as well as you having the right to slot people into various catergories based on “Blink”-type assessments (and to be fair, we all do this, so you’re only being human), I think my question goes to a deeper point.

        If you will recall, the person with whom I was having the conversation was of the view that, because I am a Man, I should be grateful that a Woman took the time out to notice me; whereas if the shoe were on the other foot, it was somehow different, though the person I was talking with couldn’t quite explain how or why.

        The point of my question was to hightlight the micro-hypocrisies of Male-Female human interaction, and how so very often, Women themselves can and will engage – even justify – their rank hypocrisy. I find it most interesting that your comments concerned themselves more with what you thought of other ladies and myself, rather than taking up the above points.

        And I find it equally interesting that the two ladies who cosigned your opinions do so, so eagerly.

        Hmm…fascinating…

        O.

        Reply ↓

        • I believe we did address your point. I understood you to be saying that women don’t believe they have to be gracious or grateful about receiving a compliment and would be offended if someone suggested they should. I’m saying this is not the case (many women/people don’t that feel this way) and there is no hypocrisy except between you two.

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          • @Ms. WIP:
            “I believe we did address your point. I understood you to be saying that women don’t believe they have to be gracious or grateful about receiving a compliment and would be offended if someone suggested they should. I’m saying this is not the case (many women/people don’t that feel this way) and there is no hypocrisy except between you two.”

            O: In my response to Ms. Keisha below, I give a link to the Jezebel website which in turn highlights numerous links to stories of street harassment and the like; there is the very well known Hollaback Campaigns, and so forth. While it is certainly fair to say that not all Women don’t feel this way, it is also very clear that quite a sizable amount of Women DO feel this way – and I can point to clear and present proof and evidence backing up this fact.

            In light of that, I remain unconvinced.

            O.

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            • I know you’re aware of the difference between cat calls and compliments. One, IMO, is embarrassing while the other has the opposite affect. In your scenario the equivalent would be if she had yelled across the hallway about how your slacks were fitting.

              If the argument “you ought to be grateful a man is talking to you…” in a situation where you are being embarrassed then I’m sure you’re right. Most women would feel righteously indignant about the act and tell you there is nothing to be grateful for.

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              • @Ms. WIP:
                “I know you’re aware of the difference between cat calls and compliments. One, IMO, is embarrassing while the other has the opposite affect. In your scenario the equivalent would be if she had yelled across the hallway about how your slacks were fitting.”

                O: No. That is not how harassment and the like is assessed. It is contingent on the recipient of such unwarranted attention.

                “If the argument “you ought to be grateful a man is talking to you…” in a situation where you are being embarrassed then I’m sure you’re right. Most women would feel righteously indignant about the act and tell you there is nothing to be grateful for.”

                O: No doubt. But the same can be said for ANYTHING an unwanted Man may say or do, regardless as to how “nice” it may be – indeed, much of the consternation regarding Nice Guys(TM), concerns just this. These guys are hollering from across the street and the like, are they?

                O.

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        • May I ask how old are you?

          Do you not get exhausted looking for every hypocrisy between men and women? Serious question.

          “I find it most interesting that your comments concerned themselves more with what you thought of other ladies and myself, rather than taking up the above points.”

          Bc it isn’t that deep nor serious. For anyone to be upset over a simple compliment is just petty and arrogant. Now, if a chick is invading your space, then that is one thing, but if it is just a simple “i like your tie” or “you look nice today” from someone you deem unattractive and unworthy to speak with you and you get all in your chest about it, that’s a personal narcissistic problem that you are displaying.

          This is diva dude to the core.

          Reply ↓

          • @Ms. Mena:
            “May I ask how old are you?”

            O: Certainly; what does it have to do with the question I posed? Please explain?

            “Do you not get exhausted looking for every hypocrisy between men and women? Serious question.”

            O: Do I look exhausted? Serious reply.

            “I find it most interesting that your comments concerned themselves more with what you thought of other ladies and myself, rather than taking up the above points.”

            “Bc it isn’t that deep nor serious.”

            O: Nor did I assign a DEFCON Level One urgency to the matter; I clearly noted that it was a pet peeve of mine, and one that I have never spoken or written to/about until today. My reason for broaching it here is because I know there are a number of ladies who regularly congregate here, and I wanted to get their opinions and feedback on the matter. Your reaction is most interesting.

            “For anyone to be upset over a simple compliment is just petty and arrogant.”

            O: I wasn’t upset. You’re entitled to your opinion.

            “Now, if a chick is invading your space, then that is one thing, but if it is just a simple “i like your tie” or “you look nice today” from someone you deem unattractive and unworthy to speak with you and you get all in your chest about it, that’s a personal narcissistic problem that you are displaying.”

            O: You wouldn’t know this since you don’t know me personally and have yet to meet me in person, but those who do know that I’m actually quite sedate…and quiet. Most of the time I don’t say anything at all. And the remainder is with understated comments and remarks, if that.

            No, I am merely sharing with you observations based on my personal experiences, as well as that of others. Again, your response(s) are quite illuminating.

            “This is diva dude to the core.”

            O: Your opinion has been noted.

            O.

            Reply ↓

            • “O: Certainly; what does it have to do with the question I posed? Please explain?” Grown dudes usually don’t think this deep into compliments given nor do they take offense to them. Actually, adults in general don’t think this deeply into compliments given. I was just wondering how old you are? You can just throw out a ballpark number.

              Reply ↓

              • @Ms. Mena:
                “Grown dudes usually don’t think this deep into compliments given nor do they take offense to them.”

                O: How do you know? Have you conducted surveys into the matter? You had no idea of what I thought on the current matter until I actually spoke/wrote on it; how do we know what other guys do or don’t think about it? In my comments, I specifically made mention of Mike Jones – who some years back, had a hugely popular song that spoke in part to what I was talking about. If we use that song as evidence – anecdotal, yes I freely admit – then if anything we know that quite a few guys may be able to identify with what I said.

                “Actually, adults in general don’t think this deeply into compliments given.”

                O: You’re entitled to your opinion, but again I have to ask, how do you know this, empirically? You have yet to explain.

                “I was just wondering how old you are? You can just throw out a ballpark number.”

                O: I am 847 years old.

                And you? ;)

                O.

                Reply ↓

                • LOL! 847 yrs old. You are old as dirt.

                  In my circle of friends, we just don’t care. In my circle of associates, we just don’t care. I’ll put it like that.

                  I’m 30.

                  Reply ↓

                  • @Ms. Mena:
                    “LOL! 847 yrs old. You are old as dirt.”

                    O: You should look so good when get to be my age…

                    “In my circle of friends, we just don’t care. In my circle of associates, we just don’t care. I’ll put it like that.”

                    O: Fair enough.

                    “I’m 30.”

                    O: Hmm…

                    O.

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    • eh…anyone – man or woman – that is told that they should be “grateful” that someone has noticed them has the right to be offended as you were. next time, just respond by telling person that you would be “grateful” if they stopped talking to you #rightnow…*yeezyshrug*

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      • @Ms. CamilleBlue:
        I actually have a number of ready-responses for those occasions such things happen:

        Her: You look so (fine, nice, hot, handsome, etc et al)

        O: I didn’t ask.

        Her: You look so (fill in the blank)

        O: *Blank stare*

        Her: You look so (fill in the blank)

        O: *Poker face, monotone deadpan voice* Noted.

        Her: Heyyyy! (fill in the blank)

        O: Did you just try to catcall me? Really? *Affacts The Office squinting of eyes*

        Her: You look so (fill in the blank)

        O: *After several seconds of measured silence* Very astute.

        Her: *Attempts to touch me* (fill in the blank cheesy line)

        O: Whoa now, easy girl; I charge extra for that.

        I have found these (and other) responses to be both highly effective, and quite entertaining.

        O.

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        • lol…now, now O…if someone gives you a genuine compliment you shouldn’t be rude to them – b/c then you’re letting your inner @sshole run rampant…i have complimented men before and didn’t mean anything out of the way by it…if i’m diggin’ your tie, i may just say so…and i have to say if someone responded to me as you put above, i may forget my lady-like manners for a hot second…it’s all about balance…

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          • @Ms. CamilleBlue:
            While I am sure you may not have meant anything at all by a seemingly harmless compliment, the problem is, from a Male standpoint, is that it is difficult to suss out who’s who – and in this day and age where a Woman with a bee in her bonnet can and will use the Power of the State to air out her grievances, many guys can and will heed the handwriting on the wall and either not engage at all, or do things along the lines of what I do.

            This is very real. The way Men and Women socially interact (on the job, on the street, at work, etc) is indeed changing – and not entirely for the better. I therefore have every right to view ANY potential social interaction with Women with a raised eyebrow, until I can ascertain intent and emotion/mental stability, et al. Most of the time, it’s a waste of time, to be frank.

            And indeed, we are beginning to see realworld results of just this – note how often Men steer utterly clear of Women on the job, for example; or how even cornerboys in the hood do the Holla back Game less these days. While many ladies and even some Men may see this as positive outcomes, there ARE real downsides to this as well. Ever so slightly, guys are coming to the conclusion that the costs – financial, work/career, even legal – are just not worth it. This may act as a kind of defacto screening process for many ladies – what one blogger I read recently called “Spot the Alpha” – but even so, it still has a chilling and corrosive effect on the culture at large.

            As if Black America needed any more such things.

            O.

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            • well O, all i can say is that if all you do is say “thank you” and keep it moving, there’s no sussing out to do….from what you’ve stated above, the problem could possibly come from engaging further conversation with the complimentor….and unless you are in a position that you HAVE to engage with that person, work or other, i don’t suspect that your suspicious nature will cause you to want to engage further…sooooo….this gets another *yeezyshrug* from me…my personal thought on this is that you’re reaching just a bit…

              Reply ↓

              • @Ms. CamilleBlue:
                “well O, all i can say is that if all you do is say “thank you” and keep it moving, there’s no sussing out to do….from what you’ve stated above, the problem could possibly come from engaging further conversation with the complimentor….and unless you are in a position that you HAVE to engage with that person, work or other, i don’t suspect that your suspicious nature will cause you to want to engage further…sooooo….this gets another *yeezyshrug* from me…my personal thought on this is that you’re reaching just a bit…”

                O: Well, if I may, “reaching” is often what is required when one is seeking out novel approaches toward observing various social phenomena; one has to infer things and attempt to explain what is going on from sometimes rather cryptic bits and pieces of information, attempting to form them into a coherent whole or corpus of understanding. But I think what I’ve laidout is sound.

                As to the rest of your comment, yes, I have experienced such things on the job, and I did the perfunctory thank you thing; in such an instance, I had a vested interest in doing so. Outside of the job, on the other hand, no engagement of conversation was sought on my part, and the whole interaction was a matter of seconds – a minute, if that.

                Nevertheless, microaggressions are a real thing…

                O.

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                • O…sometimes i wonder if you really want feedback from others – even when you ask for it, because you always, always stay aligned with whatever your initial thought was…you always say what you layed out was sound, or that your point stands…soooo…why bother asking anyone their thoughts/opinions if you are not really going to consider them anyway??

                  Reply ↓

                  • @Ms. CamilleBlue:
                    “O…sometimes i wonder if you really want feedback from others – even when you ask for it, because you always, always stay aligned with whatever your initial thought was…you always say what you layed out was sound, or that your point stands…soooo…why bother asking anyone their thoughts/opinions if you are not really going to consider them anyway??”

                    O: I ask because I want to know what others think – not because I am looking to be swayed by what they think. Many people think that agreement is important; I don’t. I think clarity is important.

                    O.

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                    • nope…i didn’t mean for yo uto be swayed into agreement…maybe it’s more that you are rather dismmissive…yeah…i think that’s what it is…

      • I do believe one should be “grateful” for if not “gracious” about receiving a compliment. Take the male/female aspect out of it and it’s simply someone taking a moment to say something nice because they knew it would make you feel good (as compliments usually do) or to find out how they can get what you have (imitation and flattery, that whole deal). I too have been known to get annoyed by people being nice but not when it comes to compliments.

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    • “Yet Women are able to have the cultural space to demand that Men whom they are not interested in must or at the very least should refrain from noticing them”

      I’ve never heard this before…whether I’m attracted to the person or not, I just say thanks and keep it moving.

      Reply ↓

        • There is a big difference between street harassment and a compliment. A woman saying “you look nice” is different from a man on the street hollering at a woman across the street “hey sexy! Smile sexy! What cho name is?”

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          • you know tho men are funny. some of them mean well and it comes out All Wrong. and then they get embarrassed and mad and then i’m like, umm listen ima go, you need this time to yourself.

            but that whole smile thing. it reminds me of this time i was in the Tenderloin in SF and my boy was taking photos of me because he’s the only photographer i ever worked with who i felt comfortable with. and while doing this random photo shoot in some alley a guy walks past and gives me props.

            honey was homeless and all but he cracked me up. and then he said, and i remember this, all happy and proud of himself, “see i got her to smile” and i was like, wow, men really value themselves for making a girl feel good.

            that was weirdly humbling. made me realize it’s all relative. some other woman might not like it, and if i wasnt with my boy i am sure i woulda been more defended. but since honey was on the other side of the alley i was like, thas cool.

            Reply ↓

          • @Ms. GypsyCurl:
            “There is a big difference between street harassment and a compliment. A woman saying “you look nice” is different from a man on the street hollering at a woman across the street “hey sexy! Smile sexy! What cho name is?””

            O: Says you – and that’s the point. I, as a Man, am suggesting otherwise. And that is really what is at the core of street harassment – UNWANTED comments coming from UNWANTED people. In this case, Women.

            Thee core conceit is that street harassment can ONLY occur in a particular context, and ONLY in a particular modality – i.e., Men tryin to holla at Women.

            I am challenging that premise.

            O.

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    • i used to be offended when guys i wasnt checking for were checking for me. i used to feel put upon that they wanted me to notice them notice me. all the while i was parading about like y’all need to fall back but not all of them would do as i willed. frustrating to my ego, to say the least ..

      then one day i realized, This is not working for me; i cant make them shut up. so i started saying thank you and good afternoon and smiling and i realized something.

      it’s not about me. it’s about them. they see me and it makes them feel good and they cant or dont want to stop themselves. and for a long time i was blocking that vibe because it felt invasive, but now i’m at greater peace with myself so i enjoy the fact that men dig my vibe, so long as they are respectful in their expression of it ~*~

      Reply ↓

      • I had the same kind of revelation. I don’t really take compliments well. I don’t think people mean them. But that’s my self-esteem issue. I actually am a good person, I actually do good things, and I actually am skillful as well as thoughtful…so if somebody compliments me..it’s not just about me..they are doing it for themselves too. Just didn’t see that before.

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    • O,

      When you say unsolicited, were you just minding your own business and some woman gave you a compliment? If that’s the case, what’s the problem with that?

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    • If I read you correctly…you just want someone to be genuine with you right? To not say anything just for the hell of it?

      But like I said to Yoles, you can’t dictate another person’s opinion. People just want to share their thoughts, and maybe the way you do things intrigues them enough to say their piece. Just watching you do your thing might eclipse the notion some women have about men. You never know.

      Of course, fake f*cks are everywhere, but you take a victory where you can.

      Reply ↓

      • @Rewind:
        “If I read you correctly…you just want someone to be genuine with you right? To not say anything just for the hell of it?”

        O: Hmm…good question. I have to think on it.

        “But like I said to Yoles, you can’t dictate another person’s opinion. People just want to share their thoughts, and maybe the way you do things intrigues them enough to say their piece. Just watching you do your thing might eclipse the notion some women have about men. You never know.”

        O: We can always hope…

        “Of course, fake f*cks are everywhere, but you take a victory where you can.”

        O: I suppose so.

        O.

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    • “Yet Women are able to have the cultural space to demand that Men whom they are not interested in must or at the very least should refrain from noticing them; fair enough I say – but why then is it wrong for me or any other Man so disposed to request the same in return? Why must there be the assumption that I am to be somehow grateful because some random Women who in all likelihood I do not find desirable or am attracted to in any way, took the time to notice me? Isn’t that just as offensive as the other way around, and if not – why?”

      Hypocrisy and B.S.–That’s why. A guy has just as much right as a woman to not be “grateful” about the attention he’s received from anyone. Period.

      Personally, I’m not gonna overreact if a guy compliments me. If it makes me uncomfortable, I’ll just smile, break eye contact, say thank you, and keep it moving. I think the examples you used of how you handle said attention is a bit douchey, though. You don’t have to be that unpleasant to random women simply because they paid you a compliment. C’mon Obsidian. Smile. Laugh. Jeez. It’s a beautiful day. :) And if it isn’t, then just pretend it is.

      Reply ↓

    • I don’t have anything to comment about your comment…

      but what was the big upsets that y’all picked in your bracket? and was i the only one that had Louisville winning it?

      Reply ↓

    • I don’t like compliments, O. But that’s because I find them to be a slight form of manipulation. I don’t know if that’s how you feel as well, but it’s well known that I have issues LOL

      Reply ↓

      • @Ms. Asiyah:
        Without question, giving out compliments can be manipulative. I don’t have a personal problem with that per se, however. I certainly can respect that you do.

        O.

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    • I wish I remembered the name of the documentary I once saw on street harassment. It was interesting to watch because a lot of them men made the same point you did.

      Although unsolicited compliments may be annoying to both men and women, I’m almost positive feeling ‘fear’ only happens to women in such instances (correct me if I am wrong). If there is any gender difference that can’t really be argued, it’s physical strength. Across the board most would agree men are physically stronger than women.

      For many woman, street harassment doesn’t just stop at annoyance. I believe there is also an underlying component of fear. I walk down the streets of Atlanta all the time. No matter how many times a group of men have catcalled me in my lifetime, for about 30 seconds, I am going to be afraid for my life. Every time. I don’t think men really experience that. And that is where this documentary was coming from.

      I do think men have every right to ignore any type of unsolicited compliment they so choose. But in regards to women, I don’t put ‘street harassment’ in the ‘compliment’ category. For me, it’s just a way of asserting power and dominance. How else do explain being ‘hissed’ at? Surely you can’t say that is a compliment? I think every women has experienced quickening her pace and listening more astutely to whether footsteps are following her. Not because she is annoyed but to validate her safety.

      Most can agree that regardless of gender, street harassment is distasteful. But the same way ‘empathy’ leans to towards the female side in all things ‘rape’ is the same way they do in all things ‘street harassment.’ We are the “weaker” sex. Anytime a man does anything that is a perceived physical ‘threat’ to a woman, it isn’t going to be taken lightly. A women streetharassing you is understood to pose little to no threat. Vice versa, is a different story. And unfortunately, there are enough testimonials to perpetuate that idea.

      Now I am all about problem solving. I genuinely have no idea how many street ‘attacks’ actually occur in the world. Maybe there does need to be an initiative that shows the stats of what is actually going on; that rape incidences have gone down, that street attacks rarely occur. Remove the fear and maybe we’ll see progression.

      Reply ↓

  22. Mane, that song sound like some of these statuses I come across on Facebook every day. I was just waiting for her to say “get out of my business.” Or “you don’t know me.”

    Reply ↓

    • lmao @ those being the classic FB tag lines.

      I stay embarassing people I know when they type that fake gangsta shyte on FB, nig I know you’re life, softer than Cool Whip.

      Reply ↓

  23. People are still salty about Destiny’s Children. I know for a fact that that is one of the reasons why i aint liked her for a good two years WHILST I played her songs and sang to them at the top of my lungs. In all fairness, while singing, i made sure to have a salty face and mad side eye just so that people could feel my contempt for her.

    However, it’s her fans. Bottom line she has the BEST/WORST fans that ever graced the face of the planet. I have never seen people go banana’s over an artist like this before. I have two friends that think she is everything but Jesus and I have wanted to literally punch then in the left side of their throats before. They don’t just rave about her. It’s a dang obsession. And God forbide you say that Beyonce wasn’t created on the 1st day. Yep, that’s right. There was light and Beyonce.

    But seriously, she matters because of her fans who I truly feel are loyal to her to simply combat the people that speak negatively about her. She came out as a solo artist with people either loving or hating her and there hasnt been an inbetween with her from the jump. She has a cult following like no other. I don’t know how her team did it but you can’t deny her staying power is in part by the undying loyalty of her fans…and the gays. <——- Don't get me started bc they are a whole different beast when it comes to this woman.

    Beyonce can sing, is VERY pretty, continues to put out hits and the song is hot. And I was about to overkill it until Tuesday when JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE released the 20/20 experience. Y'all, I don't know what it is about that boy but my 12 year crush on him WILL NOT go away. And Blue Ocean Floor makes me want to lay in a meadow with Idris Elba and stare into his eyes while that song plays on repeat.

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  24. I heard the song and I like it. * shrugs* I do agree with you on the “I Been On” part. Don’t really care for that part of the song. Hate her or love her, everything she does/says is going to be attached to some type of controversy.

    Signed,

    A Beyonce semi-stan. Not the worship Queen Bey, death threat kind that camps out on the twittah.

    Reply ↓

  25. The comments are hilarious…. From the indifferent dissertation to the humble brag (“Woe is me… I get too many compliments from women… Why can’t I respond like a woman?”). Lol

    Anywho…. I’m a fan of Beyonce, not a fan of the song. Thoroughly amused by the response Beyonce gets. Clearly, just bringing her name up sells magazines, brings traffic to blogs, and even has Rush Limbaugh bringing her up to get attention. So funny how people argue their opinion like it is fact or lament the fact that their favorite artist don’t get as much shine as Beyonce. It’s a throw away song, not a political platform. Indifference is not hate, indifference is changing the channel or turning the page….or moving on to the next subject.

    Reply ↓

  26. Quoting Beyonce (Bow Down):

    “Rolling high, leather and wood
    Keep it trill, that’s what good
    Kiss my momma, show that love
    Pop them bottles in that club
    I heard your boo was talking lip
    I told my crew to smack that trick
    Smack that trick, smack that trick
    Guess what they did, smack that trick
    Gold everything, gold ass chain
    Gold ass rings, gold ass fangs
    You can see me stunt when you turn on ya screen
    You can see me stunt when you turn on ya screen
    I’m bigger than life, my name in the lights
    I’m the number one chick, ain’t need no hype
    The capital B means, I’m ‘bout that life
    The capital B means, I’m ‘bout that life”

    Quoting Vanilla Ice (Ice Ice Baby):

    “Yo so I continued to a1a Beachfront Ave
    Girls were hot wearing less than bikinis
    Rock man lovers driving Lamborghini
    Jealous ’cause I’m out getting mine
    Shay with a gauge and Vanilla with a nine
    Ready for the chumps on the wall
    The chumps are acting ill because they’re so full of eight balls
    Gunshots ranged out like a bell
    I grabbed my nine
    All I heard were shells
    Fallin’ on the concrete real fast
    Jumped in my car, slammed on the gas
    Bumper to bumper the avenue’s packed
    I’m tryin’ to get away before the jackers jack
    Police on the scene
    You know what I mean
    They passed me up, confronted all the dope fiends
    If there was a problem
    Yo, I’ll solve it
    Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it”

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  27. “Perhaps it’s because we live in a society where when everybody has an opinion, and you don’t want to be the person to NOT share that opinion.” You answered your own question unless you were just thinking out loud.

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  28. What’s separates Bey stanning from others is it seems to be more about the sisterhood than the artist. They don’t care about the song, they just appreciate the call to arms to defend her. This next album could be weak but they”ll still act like it’s the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (sidebar what is the greatest solo female artist album, Idk why Miseducation popped in my head first, it’s up there but I’m sure it’s not THE one).

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  29. “Plus, given her recent documentary and Oprah interview, et al where she was definitely on some mainstream acceptance steez, I can see how it seems odd.”

    Agreed. I like the song. Not the least bit surprised BayBay Bey could be so ratchet. The over commentary is ridiculous however. Like give it a rest!!! Whatever Bey was trying to accomplish by releaseing Bow Down, I think she succeeded. I’m all the way in a country full of yella ninjas (China) and got friends sending me articles and ish dissecting this song. It’s not that serious. Be useful and send me clips from The Beyonce Concert feat. The Superbowl instead! lol

    By the way, am I the only one who feels like Blue Ivy Carter wrote the lyrics?

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  30. A few thoughts before I jump into the fray:

    -Keri Hilson is going to have to make the R&B equivalent of Ether in order to have a viable career as a recording artist. I bet she’s already in touch with ex-Destiny’s Child members looking for info she can use. If you want to hear all of Beyonce’s secrets, stay tuned for this summer.

    -This sounds like it could be the Gay Queen Anthem of 2013, and in heavy rotation for the next decade in every Black gay club (and a decent chunk of the Whites too). I can just see some gay dude strutting to this repeating the hook over….and over…and over.

    -Val’s comments on this post are going to be epic. :)

    -What possesses a chick who grew up upper middle class in Houston to make some trill ish out of nowhere?

    -Why do I think I slipped through a hole in space-time when I heard this on Hot 97? Since when do THEY play trill ish?

    -And Beyonce wants chicks to bow down because she married a 40-something ex-hustler and gave him a child. Broad, any chick could have done that. You have women bowing down to your very real talents, but you wear your MRS like a crown. Get over yourself. And quickly.

    That is all. :)

    Reply ↓

    • “-What possesses a chick who grew up upper middle class in Houston to make some trill ish out of nowhere?”

      You know suburban black kids love that trill ish.

      Reply ↓

    • -Keri Hilson is going to have to make the R&B equivalent of Ether in order to have a viable career as a recording artist. I bet she’s already in touch with ex-Destiny’s Child members looking for info she can use. If you want to hear all of Beyonce’s secrets, stay tuned for this summer.

      If Keri were to come back with some Ether equivalent I would seriously pick her up as a new fan.

      “*beat drops* F*** BEYONCE! Wussup b******! Yo I know you ain’t been talking about me. You been on my songs I wrote you!”

      EPIC!

      Reply ↓

    • Lol. I don’t hate Bey, Todd. I will admit though that I used to have a certain disdain for her. But, I realized that I was picking on someone who is somewhat intellectually challenged.

      It’s really not fair to pick on someone who is not fully functional, right? So, I’ll comment on her music and such but I try not to comment on her anymore as that wouldn’t be fair.

      :-)

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    • “You have women bowing down to your very real talents, but you wear your MRS like a crown. Get over yourself. And quickly.”

      Very true. The total opposite of feminism, non?

      Reply ↓

  31. I’m struggling to understand black feminism. It seems to jump and dive, pop up and shrink. It’s like trying to get all the egg white….

    Ok, so anything you wanna do is ok. Unless you’re attacking women. But its ok to attack women who you feel are attacking women. Even if they may not be. And pressure them to get in line to agree with you. To attack a woman.

    It’s like when I try to get to the bottom of the line of reasoning behind the idea that any woman who doesn’t have women friends can’t be trusted because she’s a woman hating patriarch. When you mention that there are women who don’t have female friends because they are bucking the patriarchy that is enforced in groups of women, they pretend this is impossible. The party line seems to be “I’ve never seen women enforce patriarchy among friends, or “None of my friends do that, how unfortunate for you.”

    However, is ludicrous to pretend you seen groups of women make it known each member of the group should act like a lady so she can get chose, or else they will shun her, shame her, or bully her, especially they are threatened by her ability to attract men they want.

    It seems black feminism had gotten stuck in witch hunts disguised as unity. It can be a very dangerous thing if unchecked. Perhaps the joining of the stay at home and make babies and the career women had been forced and precipitous. Just a thought.

    Reply ↓

    • “It seems black feminism had gotten stuck in witch hunts disguised as unity. It can be a very dangerous thing if unchecked. ”

      YES and yes! I want to say more but you said it all.

      Reply ↓

    • Black feminism seems to get hated on more in social media than anywhere else. Honestly, I didn’t know it was that serious until I would see black men going off on feminism. Oh well.

      I don’t trust any sex that can’t form a friendship with someone of the same sex but that is just me. I find it weird. There are other things that people find weird as well that no one questions and we’ve talked about them before. Example, 35+ man with no kids or woman = gay. We all have our prejudices.

      Reply ↓

      • That seems to be the “prejudice” you share with a lot of black feminists today. It gets repeated a lot, to the point that it begins to sound like a witch hunt to distrust women who don’t have women friends, further alienating them from women and blaming them for the predicament. Not very “womanist” if you ask me.

        Reply ↓

        • I wouldn’t call myself a feminist. I don’t particularly care for labels and i try my hardest to be more centered in my beliefs. My problem is that i care more about justice (fairness) than proving someone right or wrong.

          I wouldn’t say that i blame anyone but what i will say is that we all have our prejudices. We all judge on something. But you brought up one point and i made it a “well everyone does it” which i shouldn’t have done.

          I personally will judge a woman who has no immediate female friends. I will judge a man who has no immediate male friends. I may be an a$$ in that regard but i am an honest one.

          Reply ↓

          • “I wouldn’t say that i blame anyone but what i will say is that we all have our prejudices. We all judge on something. But you brought up one point and i made it a “well everyone does it” which i shouldn’t have done.

            I personally will judge a woman who has no immediate female friends. I will judge a man who has no immediate male friends. I may be an a$$ in that regard but i am an honest one.”

            Glad you said that, and this is why I FSKY of Christians wo “claim” that they Don’t Judge- they Do just like Everybody Else, they CAN SAY that they Don’t Condemn but even that is Arguable

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    • It’s all Black love until you express the wrong feelings. Then you’ll see how committed to the idea of Black love is.

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  32. Personally, I like the song as she is givig a shout out to Houston and the rap scene there. To me the funniest/most sad part about people’s reactions to it is when I read comments from women such as this, “I bow down to no one but God…” Seriously? I mean Really, is it ever that serious? This little snippet release of a song and it’s backlash just further proves how influential and polarizing of an artist/person she has become. Hate her or love her, she is the top female artist out right now.

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  33. Sick day means I’m gonna be on a commenting frenzy today. (Is it sad that when I feel like I’m on the last clutches of life is one of the most relaxing days I’ve had in weeks?)

    A couple of thoughts.

    1)They beat(s) bang, the lyrics are SUPER basic. I don’t think that is really debatable. And yeah, you can argue that most mainstream music does that nowadays – but isn’t she supposed to be above that.

    2) Yeah, it’s hypocritical to her CURRENT image. But Bey’s been doing this mixed message mess since her DC days, so I don’t really curr. This is the same chick who did Independent Women, and then did Soldier, and Cater 2 U. To this day, hoodrats are out in these streets looking for a guy who has a corporate 9-5 but still has the time to cut up on ‘two ‘fif.

    3) I cannot help but laugh imagining Beyonce do several takes of saying “smack dat tr*ck.” I could possibly pay to see that live.

    4) ….but seriously, what was the point of this track? Who is she reminding that she’s on top? Her fans, that already have her on a pedestal? Keri Hilson, who hasnt been able to write so much as a post-it note since her failed attempt to get at Bey? Rihanna, who’s too busy being on every drug to notice?

    5) Cake like Lady Gaga was a better shock value chopped and screwed cut.

    6) Beyonces been talking about trying to grow her sound and create a timeless album…and I really think that this next album might be her last chance to do so. If this is on there…I don’t think that’s happening.

    I have more thoughts but the nyquil is making my head fuzzy.

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  34. To start, here’s an articl about “Bow Down”:

    http://www.thisisyourconscience.com/2013/03/stop-looking-to-beyonce-other-artists-for-intellectual-commentaries/

    Now, I think this song is a pull for her new tour- gotta keep the buzz going beyond the Bey Stans; Another Partis that Beyonce is Not God, she’s not Xeres ala 300 (Leonidas is Cruel, But I- I am Kind”). She at least ADMITTED that she’s human in both the Oprah interview and her docmentary, Ergo, she decided to make a Diss-like Song (albeit 3yrs late to Hilson’s Turning Me Off Remix, as the original was just about Thirsty Guys- go figure on Women Emowerment)

    I think the only folk that are in the Right about this whole Non F’n Factor are people that really Don’t Care about Mrs. Carter, They/We are Intrigued of the Chaos, but not Invested in it. This is like the Infighting of the GOP with the Establishment, Tea Party, Neocons, and the Far-Away Libertarian bloc of the party all going at it. The Donald Trump/Sarah Palin/Romney/Paul Ryan/O’Riley/Hannity/Limbaugh in this whole thing are Black Feminists, who THEMSELVES go Bi-Polar in Shouting Siterhood AND Shutting Out the Women who Choose to be Mistresses, Spiteful Mothers/Wives/Girlfriends/etc at the Same Time; they are the Ones that want Inclusion to the Cosmos and other White Publicans and in the Same Breath diss Jada Pinkett Smith for ASKING why 2520 Women can’t be in the covers of Essence, Ebony, and other Black Magazines (Equality is the Endgame, Right?)

    In the End, Beyonce Knowles-Carter is an Artist and a Person, with Flwas and Feelings like the Rest of Us. ONLY Saint-like folk who do not let even .000000001% of Anger, Bitterness, Jealousy or any other Emotion come out. Know Any??? No? Thought So. Let the Woman Be, if she Ignores Keyisha Cole for talking smack about Michelle Williams during the Super Bowl- Which MANY OTHER BLACK WOMEN were ALSO Doing that night (but I guess if you’re an Artist and/or Rich You CAN’T be a Douchebag or a Hater)- So be it, but if she Does Decide to be One with the People- which Ironically the BeyHive REALLY Want deep down inside- Let her Go and be the Neo to their Zion.

    I’m a People Watcher by Instinct- it makes me know Which Type of Individuals to Avoid or Associate with, so this topic right here speaks volumes

    Reply ↓

    • “I’m a People Watcher by Instinct- it makes me know Which Type of Individuals to Avoid or Associate with, so this topic right here speaks volumes”

      My thoughts exactly.

      Reply ↓

  35. I just want to know what happened to music being an art form and expression of view. So what Beyoncé came out with this snippet and jay z came out on the remix to “Bxtch Don’t Kill My Vibe”. Last time I checked artist can work and flow in many types of arenas and not be cornered in a box well at least the most versatile artist.

    I’m a married man and a fan of Beyoncé for her musicality and adaptability. Of course I’m also from the south so when I first heard this I was like that’s wazup Beyoncé. Sometimes people forget she is even from Houston TX and over there years she has never shied away from that fact. She has in fact boasted about this over her many years under the world’s microscope.

    Yes I’m aware that both what her and jay z did sent shutters around the world but these are real human beings at the end of the day not some monolithic structure. A friend of the first family or not everybody has those friends that are not perfect “because no human is” and I’m sure the president is aware of jay z and Beyoncé’s life before the inauguration.

    To me people should just get over themselves you can call the song arrogant or cocky I just call it art. To me she’s not inferring all women are subservient but more so addressing that she has been in the game to long to continue to sit back as other artist take shots at her crafts (mogul, musician, actress etc.) So I think women should feel empowered by this song understanding that the message is “Either you gone ride with me or get ran over”.

    Reply ↓

    • This is the thing about Hip-Hop that I’ve seen and am currently learn from my class @ Howard, taught by Dr. Gregory Carr (HU- YOU KNOW!!!):

      (From Jeff Chang’s Can’t Stop Won’t Stop)
      Hip Hop- the Musical Expression of the African Disapora, exists in a Slinky-like spiral of Loops, with each generation going through the same motions as the previous, and in doing so the main blessing and curse is that we the People want our Non-Monlithic Voices and Stories to be heard around the globe, but not Exploited and Commercialized to make All Black folk come off as Buffons, Savages/Promiscuous/”thugs”/”bitches”/Whores/Etc, Clueless/Uneducated, Lazy/Unmotivated, and so on.

      In her documentary, Beyonce said that she “learned” from Hov that she had to start controlling “her content” of music, to speak up more on how she wanted her performances, “sound”, managment decisions, and schedule to be for HER interests 1st, then the Fans. Sounds like she made this diss For Her OWN Pleasure rather than the Fans this time

      Reply ↓

  36. “What is it that compels something so small to matter so much to so many people?”

    People just love to hate Beyonce. She don’t bother nobody and people hate that. It’s big because it’s B. That is all.

    If you want to believe it’s anti-women, you’ll believe that.

    If you want to use it as fuel to beast it out at work or in the gym or anywhere you need that boost of esteem, you’ll use it that way.

    I’m from the south. We loved that slowed down sh*t. No problems here.

    Reply ↓

  37. 2 things to note.

    Lebron James just urinated on two fanbases in Boston and Cleveland in 2 straight games. This shows how sports can really be unkind.

    Secondly people need hobbies. Who seriously gives enough of a @#$% to dedicate 5 minutes to analyze Beyonce for doing this.

    Reply ↓

    • As a Clevelander and a Non-Cavs fan, last night was RIDICULOUS-CRAZY; how in the Solar Cycles of Nuclear Fusion HELL were the Cavs up 67-40- In the FIRST HALF??!!!!! And then STILL be up 77-60 after the 3rd???!!! I ALMOST became a Homer and the Cold-Blooded Beef towards LeBron was cut in Half; James, Wade, Chalmers and Battier playaed their Asses Off for that victory, and Wayne Ellington went Stephen Curry-J.R. Smith in place of Kyrie and Varejao being out.

      Woosah, Woosah. Now, LA just needs to have heart like THAT with Kobe being out and get a higher seed in the Playoffs and pull a 2012-2013 Ravens or 2006-2007 & 2011-2012 Giants run

      Reply ↓

  40. i was wondering the same thing, like at what point does it become more than a song that person can either like or not like.
    like you i like the bow down b!tches part. Beyonce is human and like any other human there are different facets to her personality and gotdayum it some days, its ok to be on one to be like im the shyt up in this b!tch. hell I feel like that just about the fact that my locs look extra luxurious that day.
    so imagine if i was a platinum selling trendsetting artist with a body like whoa?
    lol i understand and appreciate those moments cause they are real.
    i still dont understand how and why it becomes such a big deal for so many though.

    Reply ↓

  41. Beyonce puts out a hood song and the world goes nuts.

    Come on. It’s not that serious.

    She’s Black, she’s from Houston, and no one can pretend all that sassiness is just her being cute. She’s always had hood in her, no matter how people want to look at her.

    The real question: Is this really about Beyonce or people’s narrow-minded opinions?

    Reply ↓

  42. I totally agree with this blog. ITS JUST A SONG. For the life of me I could not figure out why the whole world was freaking out. Who is she, Mother Theresa or something? Folks acting like she shot yalls puppies. Beyonce cursed! Glory be! **clutches pearls, wall slides**

    Have y’all never heard that Ego song before? Or Diva? She’s done the cocky thing before. Talk about taking a pop singer too seriously.

    And I don’t even like Beyonce all much. She’s alright, but I don’t worship the chick.

    SMH

    Reply ↓

  43. I’m a casual Beyonce listener, but haven’t mustered enough interest to listen to the ‘Bow Down’ thing. I suppose musically I’ve entered a more alternative and underground phase. In any case, I do think that people tend to take anything celebrity related entirely too personal and too far. These are just people; they eat and sh*t just like we do and none of it comes out gold and platinum. They are not your neighbor, they are not your family, and unless you’ve stalked them and by proxy got a restraining order put on you from them, they don’t even know your name (and probably not even then). Why so serious? Why so personal?

    Reply ↓

  44. I think its the 48 laws of power theory… Only those not on the level described were offended. Step your mentality up or continue to be offended or opinionated.

    Either way – life goes on. So i’d put my money on folks being narrow minded.

    Reply ↓

  45. When it comes to Beyonce’s fans and “haters”, they are in the same boat, in my opinion. From my experience, I encountered people who had an irrational hatred towards the woman (to the point where one person formed a “I hate Beyonce” myspace page… And another one wished that the woman had a stillborn) more than the encounters that I had with her stans.
    Totally non-related: is there ever going to be a R&B, woman singer who will write songs that range in different subject matter?

    Reply ↓

  46. i like Bey and i still haven’t heard it. not in any rush. i find it hilarious that people really felt the need to dissect every possible angle of it. any time Bey sneezes, some critic is there with an in-depth analysis of its worldly and societal implications. it’s… strange.

    Reply ↓

  47. *Perhaps it’s because we live in a society where when everybody has an opinion, and you don’t want to be the person to NOT share that opinion.*

    It 99.9% this and the rest —>. Yeah Beyonce has created an environment in the media similar to MJ where you literally cannot make a move without people reacting like their world has somehow come unhinged.

    My reaction to the song was “whatever.” If you like the song buy it, if you don’t move on. I think some of the hoopla is that Mathew Knowles created the original Beyonce brand to be pg and all girl powerey. From the jump it seemed like a gimmick to me but a cute gimmick none the less. So people like me who just took Beyonce for what she was, an entertainer, don’t feel any type of way about the shift. But all the women out there that had some type of emotional investment into who Beyonce is and what SHE thinks about women are really pressed right now.

    Beyonce didn’t name names in who she’s calling bitches. Kinda sounds like a general call to pretty much any female that Beyonce doesn’t like to me. Eh.

    So yeah for some people who saw her as the pinnacle of girl/woman power, for her to switch to referring to women (and not anyone specific) as bitches is kind of a big deal to them. But to those of us that realize the entertainment industry is nothing shy of a live/improved soap opera…we just don’t really care. Let her live. You should be doin you anyway.

    Reply ↓

  48. This topic sucks. PJ, you did your job for the day. Kudos to you, cause I know it was brutal. On to the next thing.

    Let’s talk about anything.

    Sex. Food. The sky. Sex with food in the sky.

    Come on VSB, yall are creative folks. Let’s kick it up a notch.

    Reply ↓

    • Have you heard about the documentary about black men going to Brazil? I believe it’s called Frustrated.

      Oh, and you’re awesome btw.

      Reply ↓

      • I believe Lisa Ling (or somebody) did a special about that- men going to places like DR to meet find wives. It’s not just black men either. All the American women are mean and scary now :(

        Reply ↓

        • “All the American women are mean and scary now”

          Apparently. I just think it’s really sad that they feel they have to leave the country to be happy.

          Reply ↓

          • It’s based on truth, fantasy, and biases all mixed into one.

            My main question is if you continue attracting the same people, shouldn’t you look within yourself? I know when i go overseas, i am more refreshed and welcoming of change which reflects a happier demeanor than when i am home.

            Reply ↓

            • See, people were Watching Katt Williams’s stand up DVD but not Listening to Katt Williams outside of “Poor Lil Tink Tink”, “Tiger in the Zoo”, “etc”

              Reply ↓

            • “It’s based on truth, fantasy, and biases all mixed into one.”

              I’m inclined to agree with you here. Because there was one guy in the video who was saying he preferred Brazilian women over American because they were nicer. He gave an example of Brazilian women being more receptive to random men coming up to them and hugging them on the beach. I’m thinking, “Really? That’s your problem with black women? You’re upset because we’re not gonna let you feel us up?” Here in America, you let strange men rub up on you, you’re gonna end up managing a crisis.

              I mean, I understand what they were trying to say. And in many instances, I agreed with them. But some of it was flat-out nonsensical.

              Reply ↓

              • Obsidian was making a point that goes along with this…because of street harrasment (which is valid in the mind of the woman being harrassed), most/few/many men won’t say ANYthing to BF in the streets, because it could set off an issue…or those black males just might not know how to phrase it tactfully…etc etc.

                Reply ↓

          • I don’t really find it sad. I find it childish.

            I remember how easily I used to say “all females are bytches” without batting an eye just because a trick broke my heart, some other tricks lied through their teeth, and almost every girl I talked to henceforth was a bird of epic proportions”.

            But how were a few females going to state the basis of all women around the world? They couldn’t, which meant I was full of shyt and needed to wise up. And I did.

            That’s how I feel about people who complain American men/women suck, and they need to go to other countries to find love. Which is funny, because the people in those countries can’t stand each other, just like Americans can’t stand each other, and given enough time, the Americans won’t be able to stand their foreign lovers either.

            It’s all about expectations and gender roles. People want to make it into something bigger though.

            Reply ↓

            • I think it’s about taking an account for your own shortcomings… when you recognize your faults it’s easier for you to forgive the faults of others and the truth is we ALL have faults but many of us are spoiled, self-righteous, arrogant, pretentious etc etc etc etc… ie. look at Obsidian.

              Reply ↓

              • This is true. I refuse to point the finger at people for doing things that others don’t agree with, when I can see why they are doing it. Everybody just needs the time to see through their own BS.

                But you’re right, some people just don’t get it.

                Reply ↓

            • “That’s how I feel about people who complain American men/women suck, and they need to go to other countries to find love. Which is funny, because the people in those countries can’t stand each other, just like Americans can’t stand each other, and given enough time, the Americans won’t be able to stand their foreign lovers either.”

              But are the Brazilian women actually better, though? Have women in America really gotten that bad, that y’all got to leave to be happy? If the answer is yes, then “Operation Be Better Women” should commence…in full effect.

              Reply ↓

              • It’s like black wo(men) who date outside of their race b/c the other race is “better.” The other race isn’t better, it’s simply new and exciting.

                BTW, i have only ever heard black people disrespect each other without a care in the world.

                We can’t dislike each other like this. I don’t believe it.

                Reply ↓

                • First of all, um, other groups hate each other like this. It’s just rare that outsiders here these convos.

                  Two, in my experience, women who date outside of their “kind”, however its defined, are generally more open than the general population. Simply put, dating outsiders filters for a lot of BS by default. It’s not that the other group is better as much as the part of the group that’s outsider-friendly will have the chickenheads self-selected out.

                  Reply ↓

            • You have a point, but sometimes a change of scenery does people a lot of good. Being reminds of so and so all the time would harsh anyone’s mellow. A new perspective could jumpstart someone’s relationship.

              Reply ↓

        • Those men are a bunch of p*ssies.

          A fat ass chick in Brazil is only going to talk to an American because she thinks he has money, just like the big breasted chick in Germany is going to wait at the club the soliders frequent outside base, because she thinks he has money.

          They don’t love us. They don’t even love our doggystyle.

          Reply ↓

            • Nothing, as long as both parties are aware of the proper terms.

              The problem comes in the form of expectations, things no one said would happen, but one party just assumed it would. Then when their expectations are not met, they are quick to blame the other party, who never agreed, or perhaps even knew of these assumptions.

              Reply ↓

      • I still haven’t watched it yet, but since I read up on the post Obsidian mentioned the other day, I will do it this weekend. Once I do, I’d like to know your take on it.

        And I think you’re trying to make me blush. If I wasn’t so damn dark, you’d see the proof of your efforts.

        *bear hugs you*

        Reply ↓

        • Awwww. I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t true. :)

          *in British accent*
          I think you’re fantastic, darling.
          Now continue to show the hoes of unfairness, stupidity and frivolous nonsense your firm backhand of truth, justice and reality!!!

          Reply ↓

          • lmaoooooooooooooooooo ok we have to be friends NOW!

            *Bendict Cumberbatch voice*

            Milady, I will do my best to put forth an offensive that will show these miscreants, jezebels, and harlots that their utter nonsense and hogwash will no longer be tolerated, or else they will face a wrath in measures they’ve never experienced that will make them soil their knickers!

            Ok…now you’re making me want to watch Sherlock & Downtown Abbey.

            Bring the popcorn!

            Reply ↓

      • @Ms. Amani:
        I have no problem whatsoever with anyone going anywhere on the planet to find a mate. I’m all for freedom of association.

        As Rewind points out I’ve written about the Frustrated documentary, largely as a response to Ms. Demetria Lucas’ recent article on it that appeared on The Root; had that not happened, I would have never written anything. You should check it out. I think you’ll find it an interesting read.

        The world of human mating has, like everything else, become globalzied…for better and for worse…

        O.

        Reply ↓

        • Yeah, I read it yesterday. That’s why it was fresh on my mind.

          “The world of human mating has, like everything else, become globalzied…for better and for worse…”

          You speak the truth, Obsidian.

          Reply ↓

    • Food:

      Does anybody here have an awesome recipe for eggplants? That does not have anything to do with baking or grilling. Thanks in advance.

      Reply ↓

        • Nope. I already have a recipe, but I want to expand my options. What do I need for the stir fry? I’m making it with rice!

          Reply ↓

          • Awesome. I need to do the same, because I am bored of my cooking.

            For the stir fry, all you need is either teriyaki sauce or soy sauce and any vegetables of your choice. I find that eggplant goes well with either pork or chicken when cooking or you can use go full vegetarian.

            For the rice, you cook it individually. I suggest jasmine rice, since it is softer. If you really want to make it a treat, shred some coconut and cook it with the rice, as well as maybe 1/4 cup of cream. It gives the rice a lovely taste and goes well with the sauce from the stir fry.

            Reply ↓

            • yap!! :) I like coconut rice. I only eat the finest of basmati rice. THE bombest rice on earth. Jasmine is just there for me to smell it. that’s all.

              Try using basil for a change!! :) AMAZEBALLS.

              It’s going to be straight up a vegeterian dish, so mushrooms will be in there. Thanks Rewind.

              Reply ↓

              • I do like basmati rice. I just use jasmine because it is easier for me to digest, I’m not so good with the starches these days.

                If it will be vegetarian, try adding some snow peas, carrots, yellow & red peppers, and of course onions. Take a pic when you’re done, I’m sure it will be great.

                Reply ↓

  49. Every B “hater” was a former regular ol’ detractor that got turned into Roman by a Stan. I said once I had never bought an album and didn’t care to because I don’t like to be screamed at and got told I was “ugly”, “pathetic”, a “hater/wannabe” and “stupid” #AtTheSameDamnTime (admittedly, this did occur at a salon). I have not one inclination to hear the same coming from the singer herself. Miss me, please.

    Reply ↓

  50. I think Bey is just at a phase in her life where she realizes she’s done everything she set out to do – all the while NOT doing what I’m sure her PR told her she couldn’t… So what’s next? Full on just doing whatever she wants to do, when she wants to do it… Ratchet or not… “If you don’t like it, so what? I don’t care!” At this point in her career she doesn’t NEED anything from the media or her haters.

    Why is this topic/song/artist so polarizing? Honestly, I’m not sure. But I can just imagine Bey and all her people cracking up at the mere thought of the frenzy about to take place as soon as they released it…

    Reply ↓

  51. This is just a song. There are plenty of “I’m the baddest” anthems out there. Beyonce puts out one and folks lose their minds. “Ego” is basically the same ish. I happen to enjoy that genre myself and kinda love the “Bow Down” portion. Plus I the cover of young Beyonce with all the pagent trophies is funny as hell to me. It’s so “People have been hating me since I was 12. I’m accustomed to it” that I love it.

    Reply ↓

  52. I heard the song, didn’t like it. Imo, music is not just music(lyrics over beats). As we can see, these artist have a serious influence over people. So what they put out, matters.

    Reply ↓

  53. The song was hot. It’s obviously about self empowerment or her addressing those throwing shade at her and DC. It’s funny that people will critisise this song but will sing and quote a song like Bad by Wale ft Tiara Thomas (who’s extremely talented by the way, YouTube her) as if they feel empowered by a song about an emotionally detached female player. I don’t understand the problem.

    Reply ↓

  54. It would be just a song if she wasn’t so overexposed and if she didn’t market herself as a brand of sorts. That’s why it’s more than just a song.

    Reply ↓

  55. VSB…I’m having a string of bad luck this week.

    I broke my tablet on Saturday by sitting on it.

    I’ll wait.

    And now I just broke my gotdamn phone. It fell on the floor.

    I just got paid today, so in a fit of stupidity, I am willing to buy a damn phone today. Any tips on what I should get. (I’m on T-Mobile).

    Reply ↓

    • “I just got paid today, so in a fit of stupidity, I am willing to buy a damn phone today. Any tips on what I should get. (I’m on T-Mobile).”

      Phone Insurance?

      Reply ↓

      • I am probably going to use it if buying a new phone is too much, this phone is already 2 years old which is like 30 in phone years.

        Reply ↓

        • I like my HTC One S, but my SO absolutely loves her Samsung Galaxy III. If you’ve had your old phone for two years, then maybe you can get a decent deal on an upgrade to one of the above two. If the full two years hasn’t passed, though…..well, I was told that it would cost $600 to buy my phone new and unsubsidized.

          Reply ↓

          • I’m looking at the SIII real hard…I just really really really don’t want to be stuck for another 2 years with the contract.

            I honestly like my Windows phone and want get another one.

            Reply ↓

            • If you’re currently out of contract, use that to your advantage. T-Mobile offers non-contract phones, but if you try to buy one, they’ll put you on the phone with Customer Loyalty, and Customer Loyalty will offer you all sorts of discounts in order to get you to sign another two year contract.

              I was dead set against another contract, but they won me over with the discounts.

              Reply ↓

        • are you up for a new phone? (i ask since you state you’ve had your previous phone for 2 years) if so, either wait for the Galaxy S4 (buy something cheap for the meanwhile), or get the Galaxy s3 for (relatively) cheap

          Reply ↓

      • F*ck it, them suckas just told me I have to pay $150 deductible after all the years I’ve been paying insurance. That’s half of a new phone without a contract.

        Reply ↓

    • me loves the galaxy s3…and the s4 either just came out or is about to come out….and you sitting on your tablet??? too easy…i’ll let you mourn in peace..

      Reply ↓

  57. Here’s a fun idea. Let’s infect the Beyhive twitterverse with a crazy rumor about where the song lyrics came from. My vote is for a Ouija board. But I’d have to spell it “weejee” since the typical mental acumen of the Beyonce stanbase is probably close to that of Beiber’s beliebers.

    Reply ↓

  58. Pingback: Why Beyonce Has To Tell Bitches To Bow Down (…And Why Lebron Doesn’t) |

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