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The independent student news site of San Diego Mesa College.

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The Mesa Press

The Mesa Press

‘Lemonade’ for the masses

Beyoncé released her highly anticipated visual album Lemonade on April 23. She features Grammy-winning artists Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and Jack White who add variety to the eclectic sounds of the anticipated album. Fans all over the world waited anxiously for her music to release after she performed “Formation” at this year’s Super Bowl 50. Keeping the ‘bey-hive’ alive, she began her Formation World Tour in Miami, Florida on April 27, with motivational speaker, DJ Khaled , as her opener. He brought out artists such as T.I., Future, Yo Gotti and Ludacris to entertain the fans before the queen herself took the stage.

Out of all of Beyoncé’s albums, “Lemonade” has broken several music records and has also received criticism for the lyrics in a few of the songs. But the album is much more than a display of pop culture and sex. It drives listeners into a deep descent of the mind and body of a married woman speaking to her longtime lover. The ferocity in her voice displays the struggle between husband and wife dealing with the issues of infidelity, anger, dishonesty, forgiveness and healing.

Beyoncé’s opening song titled “Pray You Catch Me” is an interlude to the hurt she feels as a wife who has found out secrets about her husband. “Hold Up” gives listeners a New Orleans jazzy, sing-songy, vengeful tune of a woman seeking relief from her rage. She sings about jealousy and feeling crazy from being walked all over. As a woman, this song was a testament for women who have dealt with an unfaithful cheater.

The songs in the album were perfectly meshed together and were a pleasant surprise for fans that have watched Beyoncé grow as a solo artist over the years. She was full of pain and exposed…giving listeners raw emotion as she belted some of her best work. In the visual album, you see the imagery and spoken word that she tied together with the lyrics of her songs. It was an explicit display that allowed the viewers of the HBO special to see the journey Beyoncé sings of in her album. The progression of the black woman was a theme that was celebrated throughout as well. From the song “Formation” to “Freedom”, she featured black women—young and old—who were embodiments of the various purposes they held.

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The songs in “Lemonade” were significant and were heavily rooted in the strength of black women. It included a snippet of Malcolm X who says: “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman.” At the very end of the visual album, the artist pays tribute to the strong-willed mothers of young black children who were unarmed and killed by police. Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin were honored in the visual album.

Beyoncé has brought forth another version of “Sasha Fierce” in her latest album, which has already transcended over the music scene. She continues on with her World Tour in San Diego and will be at the Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley on Thursday, May 12.

Beyoncé released her highly anticipated visual album Lemonade on April 23. She features Grammy-winning artists Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and Jack White who add variety to the eclectic sounds of the anticipated album. Fans all over the world waited anxiously for her music to release after she performed “Formation” at this year’s Super Bowl 50. Keeping the ‘bey-hive’ alive, she began her Formation World Tour in Miami, Florida on April 27, with motivational speaker, DJ Khaled , as her opener. He brought out artists such as T.I., Future, Yo Gotti and Ludacris to entertain the fans before the queen herself took the stage.

Out of all of Beyoncé’s albums, “Lemonade” has broken several music records and has also received criticism for the lyrics in a few of the songs. But the album is much more than a display of pop culture and sex. It drives listeners into a deep descent of the mind and body of a married woman speaking to her longtime lover. The ferocity in her voice displays the struggle between husband and wife dealing with the issues of infidelity, anger, dishonesty, forgiveness and healing.

Beyoncé’s opening song titled “Pray You Catch Me” is an interlude to the hurt she feels as a wife who has found out secrets about her husband. “Hold Up” gives listeners a New Orleans jazzy, sing-songy, vengeful tune of a woman seeking relief from her rage. She sings about jealousy and feeling crazy from being walked all over. As a woman, this song was a testament for women who have dealt with an unfaithful cheater.

The songs in the album were perfectly meshed together and were a pleasant surprise for fans that have watched Beyoncé grow as a solo artist over the years. She was full of pain and exposed…giving listeners raw emotion as she belted some of her best work. In the visual album, you see the imagery and spoken word that she tied together with the lyrics of her songs. It was an explicit display that allowed the viewers of the HBO special to see the journey Beyoncé sings of in her album. The progression of the black woman was a theme that was celebrated throughout as well. From the song “Formation” to “Freedom”, she featured black women—young and old—who were embodiments of the various purposes they held.

The songs in “Lemonade” were significant and were heavily rooted in the strength of black women. It included a snippet of Malcolm X who says: “The most disrespected person in America is the black woman.” At the very end of the visual album, the artist pays tribute to the strong-willed mothers of young black children who were unarmed and killed by police. Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin were honored in the visual album.

Beyoncé has brought forth another version of “Sasha Fierce” in her latest album, which has already transcended over the music scene. She continues on with her World Tour in San Diego and will be at the Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley on Thursday, May 12.

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About the Contributor
Lillian Lokonobei
Lillian Lokonobei, Staff Writer
Staff Writer Hello! As you already know, I love journalism. I plan on attending SDSU-San Diego to further my goals in broadcasting. This is my second semester on The Mesa Press as a Staff Writer so I am beyond thrilled to be doing something I already do--write! Outside of  work and school, I enjoy dancing, eating at new restaurants, traveling to exciting places and spending money on frugal finds. I love the Denver Broncos but I enjoy watching most sports with great company!
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