Beyoncé pulled “a Beyoncé” yet again – and it comes with a powerful message and purpose.
What We Know:
- On June 19 – also known as Juneteenth which is the holiday commemorating the effective end of slavery in the United States that has taken on a deeper meaning in 2020 in the midst of calls for racial justice and recognition that Black Lives Matter – the superstar surprise-dropped her new song “Black Parade,” as well as an extended. five-minute-plus version exclusively on TIDAL.
- Earlier in the day, Beyoncé honored Juneteenth on Instagram writing: “Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power.”
- Soon after the post, Beyoncé released her new single “Black Parade,” the singer’s first new solo music since her contributions to The Lion King companion album The Gift in 2019. Beyoncé also most recently appeared on a remix of Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage.”
- Beyoncé’s Black Parade site explained more of the song’s purpose and also provides a directory of Black-owned businesses ranging from art & design, restaurants, beauty products, lifestyle, wellness, bookstores and more, curated by her personal stylist Zerina Akers who founded the @black.owned.everything business directory.
- The song, written by Beyoncé and co-produced by Derek Dixie (the Emmy-nominated music director of HOMECOMING: A Film by Beyoncé Knowles), also features her husband Jay-Z, as co-writer along with others.
- The iconic artist has long referenced her roots as a Texan, the state just south of Oklahoma where Trump’s rally was being held over the weekend, and once again takes the listener on a trip to the world she knows. “I’m goin’ back to the South … Back where my roots ain’t watered down,” she sings at the top of the track.
You can listen to “Black Parade” on Tidal now or stream via YouTube.
