Just moments ago, Beyoncé pulled what our pals at Popjustice are calling a “Partial Beyoncé,” surprise-releasing her new single (and music video), “Formation.” Here’s absolutely everything there is to know about the track at this moment:
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She’s likely performing it at the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Coldplay tomorrow night, if reports from dress rehearsals are credible.
- It’s produced by Mike WiLL Made-It (he confirmed it to this author on Twitter).
- The music video was filmed at least partially in New Orleans, a fact that’d been rumored when Bey was seen shooting at the city’s Superdome football arena in December.
- It uses a vocal sample from New Orleans bounce rap pioneer Big Freedia. Look for that at the 1:10 mark.
- Queen Bey shouts out her favorite seafood fast casual joint in a very fantastic lyric: “When he f**k me good I take his ass to Red Lobster.”
- Much of the song’s lyricism focuses on Beyoncé’s history and family. She shouts out her parents (“My daddy Alabama / Mama Louisiana”), her husband (“I’m so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces”), and her home state (“You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma”).
- The star’s already released a line of clothing and apparel (“The Formation Collection”) with lyrics emblazoned on items such as t-shirts, hats, bags, and phone cases — don’t ever call her unprepared. We’re partial to the “Slay” t-shirt, though the “Hot Sauce” hat is pretty fresh too:
- The video features several brief appearances from Bey’s daughter with husband Jay Z, Blue Ivy. Here’s a screenshot to prove it: