If there's one thing Beyoncé is going to do, it's provide a nonpareil, innovative visual experience. Not to mention, she has a slew of visual albums with cinematic range that'll be discussed and dissected for years to come.
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In honor of MTV's 40th anniversary, Rolling Stone compiled a list of 100 of the greatest music videos of all time and topping the list is Bey's 2016 "Formation" video. Directed by Melina Matsoukas, the visual was a surprise release (like most things in Bey's career as of recent years), ahead of her Super Bowl 50 halftime show.
The music video debuted during Black History Month, intentionally, and addressed issues like Hurricane Katrina, police brutality and was, overall, Black AF. In spite of backlash from conservatives, it snagged six wins at the VMAs, took home a GRAMMY for Best Music Video in 2017 and Billboard named it the best video of the 2010s.
Rolling Stone praised the visual, expressing, "If Beyoncé’s self-titled visual album established her as one of the greatest artists of all time, her surprise-released “Formation” video (and ensuing album Lemonade) marked her as one of the most important. Matsoukas, who culled inspiration from the likes of Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, and Toni Morrison in a striking commentary on significant moments in Black American history. [...] I wanted to show — this is black people,” Matsoukas told The New Yorker."
For more classic hits from the 2010s, get into Audacy's exclusive station, The Terrific 10s, featuring iconic tracks from Adele, Sam Smith, Bruno Mars and more.
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