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Beyonce on the Front Lines of the Music Industry’s Cold War
General Beyonce Knowles-Carter
It wasn’t the lack of promotion that was the shocker, nor the visual album that broke the ground. It was the mere decision to move ahead of physical retail. As only Tamar Braxton could say it best, SHE DID THAT. And not only did she do that, she did it well, breaking sales records all along the way.
Now, Target (in an entirely unwise move, in my opinion) has mobilized its rumored army and met Beyonce and the entire rest of the music industry, unwittingly dragged along, in the epic battle that no one previously wanted to fight. See, in all the years that I’ve worked in music, the most serious tension that existed, the push backwards against the trend toward digital, was the absolute paralyzing fear that if we did anything to upset physical retail, namely move forward with a digital release ahead of them, the world would absolutely end. Sun, so more. Just pitch. black. night. And no more record sales. It would end us. That fear kept us beholden to piracy, album leaks, and huge promotional spends to guarantee rack space and prioritization, even though everyone knows that physical CD’s are used as a loss leader everywhere it counts. Yes, the wrath of physical retail was the boogeyman that no one wanted to face, that no one in the music industry felt that we were strong enough to fight.
Enter Beyonce and her army of girl-power-infused “she-devil” feminists. And I use the term “she devil” with the utmost respect – it connotes a lack of fear. An “I don’t give a single f*ck and haven’t had any to give in an while” kind of bravado that not only must you respect, but if you’re any kind of institution, any kind of old school retail gatekeeper or guardsman, has got to have you shaking just a little in your well-entrenched boots. This battle you never thought you’d have to fight. This battle you’re going to lose; and truth be told, it was lost before the battle began. To borrow from Tamar Braxton again, SHE WON.
It was only the fear of what might happen (loss of sales, not loss of physical retail support) that kept the music industry stuck with day and date release parity with physical retail. Now, thanks to Target, we get to see what actually will (or in this case won’t) be the actual repercussion. Remember the Cold War? Well, it was a war that was never intended to be fought. As was this with the music industry. Target should have never entered the battlefield. Walmart and Best Buy didn’t. At least this way, they could have always held the fear overhead and continued, for a while at least, to say “what if.” But now we know what if. Nothing is what. More sales at digital is what. Lack of leaks and thwarting piracy is what. iTunes is officially crowned King of Music is what. Digital wins.
And for all other industries living in fear of fighting this same battle, both sides should watch closely. Because if you chose to fight, one will have to die. If you choose to cooperate, you actually might step forward into what we like to call INNOVATION.
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Music and Film Superstar Beyonce Knowles to Perform Live As Part of Ford Motor Company 100th Anniversary Concert Series
DEARBORN, Mich., March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Beyonce Knowles, lead singer of the multi-platinum selling trio Destiny's Child and film star, today was added to the star-studded entertainment lineup for Ford Motor Company's (NYSE: F) THE ROAD IS OURS 100th Anniversary Celebration concert series. Knowles will perform live on Saturday, June 14, 2003, at 9 p.m. EDT.
The performance by Knowles is one of several key events the company will host Thursday through Monday, June 12-16, on the grounds of the Henry Ford II World Center, which surrounds Ford's World Headquarters in Dearborn. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will open the concert series on Friday, June 13. Country music superstar Toby Keith, recently named the "Country Singles Artist of the Year" at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards, will close the concert series with a live performance on Sunday, June 15.
Knowles is known as the creative and driving force behind the multi-Grammy winning pop R&B group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time, with 22 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America and more than 30 million records sold worldwide.
With the highly anticipated May 2003 release of Knowles' solo debut album "Dangerously In Love" on Music World Music/Columbia Records, THE ROAD IS OURS 100th Anniversary Celebration concert is expected to be Knowles' first concert featuring material from her new album. The evening's performance also will include appearances by solo artists Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Solange Knowles, Detroit gospel sensation Ramiyah, Swedish girl band Play, a special surprise guest and Destiny's Child.
Knowles began to expand her creative repertoire in 2002 with her feature- film acting debut in "Austin Powers in Goldmember." The film's soundtrack featured Knowles' solo debut single "Work It Out." Knowles will star opposite Cuba Gooding Jr., in the film "The Fighting Temptations," which is scheduled for release in August 2003.
"Beyonce Knowles is a talented performer and a fantastic addition to THE ROAD IS OURS celebration," said Jim O'Connor, group vice president, Ford North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "The entertainment lineup for our concert series represents a diverse mix of talents, and Beyonce Knowles is sure to deliver an exciting first-class performance for all of our guests.
" Tickets to THE ROAD IS OURS 100th Anniversary Celebration are available on-line by accessing the 100th anniversary Web site at www.ford.com or by calling 1-866-4-100-FORD. Tickets are $24.95 per person (children age 12 and under are admitted free when accompanying a paying adult). Employees and retirees receive a special discounted price of $19.95.
Each ticket purchase includes credentials for entry all five days, which gives access to all activities, concerts and displays -- including the Beyonce Knowles concert. Those who purchase tickets in advance will receive a daily assigned parking area and shuttle service to and from the event grounds, an opportunity to display their classic Ford car or truck, discounted admission and free shuttle service to local attractions, including Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Estate - Fairlane, and Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, a 100th Anniversary commemorative coin and discounts on 100th Anniversary merchandise.
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Beyoncé's control of her own image belies the bell hooks 'slave' critique Roxane Gay Roxane Gay
Public intellectuals are often put in the position of having their words, no matter how off-the-cuff, treated as doctrine. Such was recently the case when, during a panel discussion about liberating the black female body, bell hooks referred to Beyoncé as a terrorist and anti-feminist. She said, "I see a part of Beyoncé that is in fact, anti-feminist, that is a terrorist ... especially in terms of the impact on young girls."
hooks was, essentially, calling out Beyoncé as a "bad feminist" – a popular feminist pastime during which we arbitrarily determine who is or isn't doing feminism right. The word "terrorist", too, is a strangely popular go-to in feminist discussions that are not so much "discussions" as they are provocations, lobbed indiscriminately.
hooks and co-panelists Janet Mock, Shola Lynch and Marci Blackman were discussing Beyoncé’s Time cover, on which the singer is scantily clad and posing alluringly – as the hottest pop star in the world is wont to do when she has been named one of the 100 most influential people.
But there was more. hooks also said, "from my deconstructive point of view... she's colluding in the construction of herself as a slave ... it's not a liberatory image." This rhetoric of women "enslaving themselves", becoming ever more beholden to the patriarchy when they present themselves sexually, is common. It's quite the contradiction to want to overthrow the patriarchy but to also believe that, even now, the patriarchy is so omnipotent that women are incapable of making empowered decisions when they make decisions that don't toe the feminist party line.
hooks assumes Beyoncé had little control over her Time cover – but we're talking about Beyoncé. She upended the music industry when, last December, she surprised fans with the midnight release of her new album, recorded and mixed in utter secrecy and under her control. She has long acted as her own manager, produced and directed a documentary about her life and made many a lucrative business deal. If Beyoncé is, as bell hooks suggests, colluding in the exploitation of her own labor, it's unclear who hooks believes controls the means of production.
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We don't need to be naïve, though: the entertainment industry all too often demands the sexualization of women as a precursor for their success. (My mother, for instance, likes to joke that Beyoncé and Rihanna both abandoned clothing at the same time.) hooks is absolutely correct that we need to critique and push back against gratuitous sexualization. Her concern that girls might singularly internalize the notion that their worth is intrinsically tied to their bodies – and the desirability of those bodies – is equally well placed.
At some point, though, we have to differentiate between concern and concern trolling. We have to trust that women can be feminists, good role models andembrace sexuality.
We have to believe that we can hold different points of view without labeling each other bad feminists.
Feminism is not a free-for-all where anything goes, but I would like to think that feminism (in addition to helping women overcome oppression in all forms) allows for women to make choices – even choices with which other feminists would disagree. It allows for women to be sexual and sexually provocative because they want to be. It allows for them to do with their bodies as they choose. Beyoncé, in her current incarnation, seems incredibly empowered. She is sexual, yes – but on her own terms. When Beyoncé wants, she rolls up the partition, so to speak.
Beyoncé is not above critique. As a feminist herself, I hope Beyoncé would welcome it. Unfortunately, hooks's statements provoke, without creating space for difference or substantive debate. She assumes the worst of people and the best of the oppressive patriarchy.
In referring to how Beyoncé looks on the cover of Time, hooks also says, "it's fantasy that we can recoup the violating image and use it...." It's a shame to see how an intellectual as illustrious as bell hooks has allowed the limits of the patriarchy's imagination of women – virgin or whore – to limit her own imagination of us.
hooks was, essentially, calling out Beyoncé as a "bad feminist" – a popular feminist pastime during which we arbitrarily determine who is or isn't doing feminism right. The word "terrorist", too, is a strangely popular go-to in feminist discussions that are not so much "discussions" as they are provocations, lobbed indiscriminately.
hooks and co-panelists Janet Mock, Shola Lynch and Marci Blackman were discussing Beyoncé’s Time cover, on which the singer is scantily clad and posing alluringly – as the hottest pop star in the world is wont to do when she has been named one of the 100 most influential people.
But there was more. hooks also said, "from my deconstructive point of view... she's colluding in the construction of herself as a slave ... it's not a liberatory image." This rhetoric of women "enslaving themselves", becoming ever more beholden to the patriarchy when they present themselves sexually, is common. It's quite the contradiction to want to overthrow the patriarchy but to also believe that, even now, the patriarchy is so omnipotent that women are incapable of making empowered decisions when they make decisions that don't toe the feminist party line.
hooks assumes Beyoncé had little control over her Time cover – but we're talking about Beyoncé. She upended the music industry when, last December, she surprised fans with the midnight release of her new album, recorded and mixed in utter secrecy and under her control. She has long acted as her own manager, produced and directed a documentary about her life and made many a lucrative business deal. If Beyoncé is, as bell hooks suggests, colluding in the exploitation of her own labor, it's unclear who hooks believes controls the means of production.
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We don't need to be naïve, though: the entertainment industry all too often demands the sexualization of women as a precursor for their success. (My mother, for instance, likes to joke that Beyoncé and Rihanna both abandoned clothing at the same time.) hooks is absolutely correct that we need to critique and push back against gratuitous sexualization. Her concern that girls might singularly internalize the notion that their worth is intrinsically tied to their bodies – and the desirability of those bodies – is equally well placed.
At some point, though, we have to differentiate between concern and concern trolling. We have to trust that women can be feminists, good role models andembrace sexuality.
We have to believe that we can hold different points of view without labeling each other bad feminists.
Feminism is not a free-for-all where anything goes, but I would like to think that feminism (in addition to helping women overcome oppression in all forms) allows for women to make choices – even choices with which other feminists would disagree. It allows for women to be sexual and sexually provocative because they want to be. It allows for them to do with their bodies as they choose. Beyoncé, in her current incarnation, seems incredibly empowered. She is sexual, yes – but on her own terms. When Beyoncé wants, she rolls up the partition, so to speak.
Beyoncé is not above critique. As a feminist herself, I hope Beyoncé would welcome it. Unfortunately, hooks's statements provoke, without creating space for difference or substantive debate. She assumes the worst of people and the best of the oppressive patriarchy.
In referring to how Beyoncé looks on the cover of Time, hooks also says, "it's fantasy that we can recoup the violating image and use it...." It's a shame to see how an intellectual as illustrious as bell hooks has allowed the limits of the patriarchy's imagination of women – virgin or whore – to limit her own imagination of us.
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Beyonce Knowles Net Worth
Born on: 4th Sep 81
Born in: United States
Marital status: Married
Occupation: Singer, Actress, Designer
Beyoncé G Knowles net worth of $450 million. A born performer, Beyonce Knowles needs no official introduction as she is one of the most stylish US celebrities and a heart throb of millions. Born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas, USA. Beyonce entered her first talent show at the age of 7 and since then there has been no looking back for her, a step crucial to Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . Beyonce’s career success was a combined endeavor of her drive for musical passion and her dedicated efforts. Apart from music, the singing sensation also launched her acting career with her 2001 debut film Carmen: A Hip Hopera. Beyonce’s musical career along with other major and minor assignments has made her one of the wealthiest celebrities in the world. According to the Forbes sources, the versatile performer has annual earnings of $87 million which includes her takings from Fashion, Films, Music publishing, Endorsements and Tour sponsors, a significant figure that comprises Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . The New York resident also finds the 18th spot in the Forbes’s list of the most powerful women. Few months back Beyonce reaped $1.3 million profit by selling her three luxury Miami Beach Apartments. The 30 year old music Diva announced her marriage with rapper Jay Z in September 2008. Recently she gave birth to a child in Lenox Hill hospital where the entire fourth floor of the hospital was booked on a rent of $1.3 million for the auspicious delivery of the superstar Diva, thanks to the huge Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . Beyonce’s life has been full of music, awards and recognition, making her a real musical inspiration for the contemporary artists. Her Fame board includes Legend award in 2008, Artist of the Decade in 2009, Billboard Millennium Award in 2011, 2 Golden Globe nominations and total 16 Grammy awards making her career rock and roll with a flurry of fame and wealth. These recognition were plus factor to Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . Her debut solo album “Dangerously in Love” was a tremendous hit which made her the best selling music performer of all times. Currently the African American singing sensation is recording an album and working on two films, these are icing n the cake to Beyoncé G Knowles net worth .
Beyoncé G Knowles net worth of $450 million. A born performer, Beyonce Knowles needs no official introduction as she is one of the most stylish US celebrities and a heart throb of millions. Born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas, USA. Beyonce entered her first talent show at the age of 7 and since then there has been no looking back for her, a step crucial to Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . Beyonce’s career success was a combined endeavor of her drive for musical passion and her dedicated efforts. Apart from music, the singing sensation also launched her acting career with her 2001 debut film Carmen: A Hip Hopera. Beyonce’s musical career along with other major and minor assignments has made her one of the wealthiest celebrities in the world. According to the Forbes sources, the versatile performer has annual earnings of $87 million which includes her takings from Fashion, Films, Music publishing, Endorsements and Tour sponsors, a significant figure that comprises Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . The New York resident also finds the 18th spot in the Forbes’s list of the most powerful women. Few months back Beyonce reaped $1.3 million profit by selling her three luxury Miami Beach Apartments. The 30 year old music Diva announced her marriage with rapper Jay Z in September 2008. Recently she gave birth to a child in Lenox Hill hospital where the entire fourth floor of the hospital was booked on a rent of $1.3 million for the auspicious delivery of the superstar Diva, thanks to the huge Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . Beyonce’s life has been full of music, awards and recognition, making her a real musical inspiration for the contemporary artists. Her Fame board includes Legend award in 2008, Artist of the Decade in 2009, Billboard Millennium Award in 2011, 2 Golden Globe nominations and total 16 Grammy awards making her career rock and roll with a flurry of fame and wealth. These recognition were plus factor to Beyoncé G Knowles net worth . Her debut solo album “Dangerously in Love” was a tremendous hit which made her the best selling music performer of all times. Currently the African American singing sensation is recording an album and working on two films, these are icing n the cake to Beyoncé G Knowles net worth .
Quotes
"When you love and accept yourself, when you know who really cares about you, and when you learn from your mistakes, then you stop caring about what people who don't know you think."
"Power means happiness; power means hard work and sacrifice."
"Whenever I'm confused about something, I ask God to reveal the answers to my questions, and he does."
"I like to walk around with bare feet and I don't like to comb my hair."
"I'm a human being and I fall in love and sometimes I don't have control of every situation."
"When you love and accept yourself, when you know who really cares about you, and when you learn from your mistakes, then you stop caring about what people who don't know you think."
"Power means happiness; power means hard work and sacrifice."
"Whenever I'm confused about something, I ask God to reveal the answers to my questions, and he does."
"I like to walk around with bare feet and I don't like to comb my hair."
"I'm a human being and I fall in love and sometimes I don't have control of every situation."
Trivia
Her debut album, Dangerously in Love in 2003 earned her five Grammy Awards and featured the Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy".
Her her third album, I Am... Sasha Fierce in 2008 earned her a record-setting six Grammy Awards in 2010, including Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)".
She is the first African-American woman to ever win the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award in 2009.
She is one among Time magazines list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013 and 2014.
She ranked #21 on Maxims "Hot 100" of 2014 list.
Her debut album, Dangerously in Love in 2003 earned her five Grammy Awards and featured the Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy".
Her her third album, I Am... Sasha Fierce in 2008 earned her a record-setting six Grammy Awards in 2010, including Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)".
She is the first African-American woman to ever win the ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award in 2009.
She is one among Time magazines list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2013 and 2014.
She ranked #21 on Maxims "Hot 100" of 2014 list.
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Beyoncé shocker: from losing her virginity to being called Dumbo - 10 outrageous facts
Beyonce and Jay Z looking stunning in glamorous evening wear
Sexy superstar Beyonce Knowles looks like she has it all. But the truth is never that simple.
She may be a modern music, fashion and beauty icon but Queen Bee has faced major trials and tribulations in her life.
Even now, at the peak of her success, rumours swirl about the state of her marriage to music titan Jay Z.
A fascinating book by the former editor of Star magazine and showbiz expert Anna Pointer celebrates the life of this extraordinary woman but also takes a look a the sometimes harsh realty beneath the glittering exterior.
Beyonce: Running The World: The Biography is an eye-opening read and Anna has selected 10 remarkable facts about the real woman behind the myth, exclusively for Express.co.uk.
Scroll down for the 10 shocking facts about Beyoncé
CUTY-LICIOUS: Beyonce as a toddler
1) SHE WAS TEASED AT SCHOOL
Despite her beauty, Beyoncé was terribly insecure as a child.
Growing up in Houston, she got teased about her ears which she jokes ‘were bigger than my head’, and earned her the nickname Dumbo.
Bey also says she was a ‘chubby kid’, and grew so convinced that other girls would cut off her long hair that she wore her hair in a bun for the first six months of middle school.
2) HER NAME COMES FROM HER MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME
Her name derives from her mum Tina’s maiden name, Beyincé.
Tina wanted to keep the name going when she married husband Mathew Knowles so they named their firstborn Beyoncé.
But the young starlet-in-the-making hated her name and it became yet another reason for kids to pick on her at school.
Beyonce and her fiercely protective mum, Tina
3) PARENTAL PROBLEMS
The strain of trying to make Beyoncé a singing success proved too much for her parents and they separated when she was just 13 - with Tina saying Mathew was too ‘obsessed’ with their daughter’s career.
The split badly affected the youngster and she turned to her church in Houston, where she was frequently seen crying.
Though Tina and Mathew did eventually reconcile, they broke up for good in 2010 after 31 years of marriage.
4) SHE SUFFERED FROM DEPRESSION
After two of the original members of Destiny’s Child, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson left the band amid a swirl of controversy, it hit Beyoncé very hard.
She struggled to eat and shut herself away in her room, later admitting she suffered depression for two years.
LeToya and LaTavia claimed Beyoncé received special treatment in the group and that Tina Knowles ordered them to have tanning sessions to darken their black skin.
On the counter-attack, Beyoncé questioned their singing skills and even branded LeToya ‘tone deaf.’
BEAUTY-LICIOUS: Beyonce on her I Am Sasha Fierce tour
5) EARLY DAYS WITH JAY-Z
Beyoncé first got together with Jay-Z after sparks flew on a Vanity Fair shoot in 2001.
But their courtship was very innocent at first and for the first 18 months it was conducted solely over the phone.
The pair were extremely wary of creating a media circus - especially as Jay-Z hailed from a difficult background.
He was once a crack dealer on a tough New York estate and even shot his brother in the shoulder after believing he had stolen his ring.
SCROLL DOWN FOR POINT NO 6: LOSING HER VIRGINITY
Beyonce and Jay Z out and about in New York
Beyoncé’s first boyfriend was a boy called Lyndall Locke, a boy from her church group who she began dating aged 12.
They were an item for seven years, but she was less than complimentary about him in later years, saying their first kiss ‘sucked.’
Lyndall later admitted cheating on the star - citing the somewhat lame excuse that he didn't feel worthy of her!
However, it’s thought that Beyoncé decided not to lose her virginity to him - and that she waited until she was with Jay-Z for that to happen.
7) THE INVENTION OF SASHA FIERCE
Her stage persona Sasha Fierce was dreamt up by her cousin Angie when they were kids as a way of helping her cope with crippling nerves whenever she performed.
The name stuck around for years - until Beyoncé made the decision to kill Sasha off in 2010.
8) ANIMAL RIGHTS CONTROVERSY
Fashion forward she may be, but Beyoncé has had frequent run-ins with animal rights group PETA, who regularly criticise her for wearing fur and skins.
On one occasion, two activists posing as competition winners ambushed her in Nobu restaurant in New York and filmed the encounter.
Asking her why she felt the need to wear fur, Beyoncé replied that she felt ‘uncomfortable’ to be put on the spot and resolutely ignored the rest of their questions.
As her angry mum Tina stepped in, the pair were escorted out of the restaurant by staff.
9) IS SHE JEALOUS OF RIHANNA?
Beyoncé’s marriage has come under vast scrutiny in the past few months and her husband has been linked to many famous women over the years - including his young protégée Rihanna.
Though the two women have both denied rumours that they don’t get on, Beyoncé reportedly once banned any of Ri-Ri’s music from being played at a clothing launch for her House of Deréon range in Toronto.
G
10) BOOTYLICIOUS IS A REAL WORD
A true cultural phenomenon of our times, Beyoncé’s invented word ‘Bootylicious’ was even added to the Oxford English dictionary in 2008.
But she later admitted she found the word ‘really irritating.
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