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Beyonce jay z apeshit video lenses3/29/2024 ![]() Even posing in front of major works of art -in the process exposing classical art’s overwhelming whiteness - isn’t revolutionary, though certainly significant as representation. But the Carters standing in a museum that is both filled with and symbolic of enormous wealth isn’t itself a radical act. The video is shot in the empty Louvre Museum in Paris. In this latest example, she subverts the entire Western notion of art. Over the course of a few years, Beyoncé has co-opted and indeed taken over a series of culturally important white spaces, from professional sports arenas to country music to music festivals. But perhaps most striking was the way the visuals extended the scope of her previous performances. As with every Beyoncé creation, there was a lot to analyze. This past weekend, Beyoncé and Jay-Z premiered a lavish music video for their new song, “Apeshit,” as part of their joint (and surprise) collaboration. The first black woman to headline the festival, Beyoncé’s performance was centered on black culture - forget respectability, forget courting mass appeal. Her brand of distinct pop culture civil disobedience celebrates both black history and black womanhood, while simultaneously creating discomfort, backlash and hopefully, conversation.įinally, in April 2018, Beyoncé headlined Coachella ( rechristened Beychella for the occasion), another space noted for its overwhelming whiteness and its owners’ conservative politics. She has done this, not to seek inclusion in those spaces, but to highlight the way they have inherently and historically excluded people of color. ![]() Indeed, over the past two years Beyoncé has gradually infiltrated and commandeered traditionally white spaces with the most undeniably black performances of her career. She’s not holding sit-ins at lunch counters or organizing formal marches, but her performances have become increasingly subversive. The new music video “Apeshit,” part of her and husband Jay-Z's newly released album "Everything Is Love," is part of this trend. ![]() But today, 12 years later, Beyoncé’s music has become intertwined with anti-racist protest. is an audacious move for anyone, especially for a singer who at the time was several years shy of her 30th birthday. But, as the song's "can't believe we made it / this is what we're thankful for" refrain makes clear, it's simultaneously a celebration, a reclamation of cultural space, and a transformation of cultural space.In 2006, Beyoncé sang “ I can do for you what Martin did for the people” on her single “Upgrade U.” Likening oneself to Martin Luther King Jr. It pays tribute to the historic struggles and sacrifices made by - or, more often, forced upon - the black community, as well as those injustices still apparent today (consider the scenes at 3:30 and 4:40 in the video juxtaposing protests and the #TakeAKnee movement). The video showcases highlights of the museum's collection to weave a narrative of black empowerment and excellence, as both a representation of and response to the artworks featured. (Let's hope there was a good mood board presentation involved?) "The deadlines were very tight, but the Louvre was quickly convinced because the synopsis showed a real attachment to the museum and its beloved artworks."Īnd let's be clear, "Apeshit" is a work of art itself. "During their last visit in May 2018, explained their idea," a Louvre spokesperson told Vulture. Also, the whole project was somehow kept totally secret! And sure, everything was love fine, because I mean, who had plans over the weekend anyway?! Oh, and on top of the nine track-long record (10 if you count bonus track "Salud," I suppose) Bey and Jay also debuted a video for "Apeshit," which they shot IN THE LOUVRE, having been granted private access to the museum for filming. Beyoncé and Jay-Z - or The Carters, technically - dropped a surprise album, Everything is Love, on Saturday night.
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