Beyonce’s new track Bow Down (Bitches) is one of the dopest and most original tracks B has put out in while.
Hear me out before you tell me how much you hate it.
Sure, lyrically it’s not a shining star— but it’s a R&B-Pop crossover song— when did we ever expect lyrics from that genre?
…But the construction of the song is literally so fly. I’m really appreciating this new wave of music, I feel like it’s so experimental. And also, as a huge fan of chopped & screwed music, it’s so dope to see some C&S leaking into the main stream (see: Suit & Tie, as well.)
I almost feel like people forget that Beyoncé is from the 3rd ward in Texas. I feel like this kind of music is more her style. I cannot believe that the clean, cookie-cutter image the media presented for her is her true self.
And if you listen to the lyrics of the song, it’s like a dope ass declaration of her independence. She’s fighting all the critics that think she’s become complacent and somewhat of Jay-Z’s musical puppet… in one fucking sentence she lets everyone know that she’s her own person, and she’s more in charge of her music forever.
“I took some time to live my life. But don’t think I’m just his little wife. Don’t get it twisted.”
I also feel like Beyoncé is generally humble.
She knows she’s at the top, but she doesn’t gloat about it…. and this is her fucking gloating, and I love it. She’s literally asserting her queen status and saying, “bow down bitches, we outchea” and I think that’s so phenomenal.
And if you even look back to her first album(s) with Destiny’s Child (i.e. Writings on the Wall) they were all about sassy ass lyrics, etc. I just think people, especially her stans, have this skewed view of who Beyoncé is, and are unwilling to let her grow as an artist.
And if you don’t think song is growth for her as an artist, you’re really buggin’. Part of being a fan is growing with an artist, and accepting their experimentation.
You have to remember, most artists don’t have total artistic control of their music until a few albums in because of how record labels work, so it’s quite possible that this (and maybe 4) were the first two real bodies of work that Beyonce’s put out, and if you’re a real fan you just have to embrace her realness.
This song, in my opinion, is a fucking banger. I love the direction music is going, everything has it’s own place, and if not, you can make a place for it. It’s about digging deep into your musical roots and trying something new.
And for those who are all offended by her conflicting messages (i.e. from “Girls” to “Bow Down (Bitch)” all I can say is… did Beyoncé ever agree to be your personal role model?
And besides, I know we’ve all felt that moment when you just think you’re the shit and no one else can compare to you, and I think this song shows a sense of strong confidence.
Sure, it doesn’t really advocate for solidarity between women, but a lot of music doesn’t, and if you’re going to penalize her for not remaining “consistent”, then you’ll need to penalize the whole world, because none of us are perfect.
And to hold her to higher standards than we hold ourselves to is just ridiculous.
Not to mention as an artist it’s tough to have people lock you into a category. I personally make a lot of music about smoking weed, but, if I were to make a more emotional song, it wouldn’t make it less me, if anything, it’s more me, just another side of me.
And you’re fully free not to like this side of Beyoncé, you’re entitled to your opinion, we all are… but I’d ask you to at least attempt to embrace it with an open mind.
As I stated in the title, I feel like people are so musically close minded they literally cannot see genius in another form than IQ (just to make an analogy.)
There are other things about a song that make it great apart from lyrics and… I don’t know, I’m rambling now.
Bottom line: I just think this shit is hot as fuck, and I know people will come to see that if they give it a fair shake.
Go’head, B.
I think you covered a lot of things that are true with this. I am by no means a Beyonce stan—as a matter of fact, I’m mostly indifferent about her aside from enjoying her songs when they’re current—but I think my thing with the song is that I could do without that 30 second intro. Honestly. When I first heard it, my roommate was playing the song and I said out loud, “Wow, that doesn’t sound like Beyonce?” Because as you said, she’s genuinely humble. I mean, she’s at a point in her career where so many people worship/respect her, and the song sounded so angry. It’s not about consistency so much as I tend to view anthems like this as often a personal reflection of the artist and it just didn’t make sense to me. Like okay, she’s entitled to gloat, whatever—but really, who was this for? Who was questioning or challenging her? Who is she really telling to “bow down”? Who does Beyonce really still need to validate herself for at this point? That was my only gripe. That first part of the song is irrelevant to me, so when I listen to it, I’ll probably just fast forward through it or roll my eyes until it passes.
So, lyrically, it’s underwhelming. Like most music right now. So, okay, moving on.
That chopped and screwed half of the song, though? Brilliant. Absolutely killer. Some girls on my floor were talking about how they don’t like it, how chopped and screwed is not their thing. They were listening to like new singles by Vampire Weekend where it’s used, and very briefly. But I’ve always been a fan of that slowed down aesthetic, so I also appreciate that it’s falling into the mainstream. It’s so good.
It’s a fun song, clearly not meant to be taken beyond what it presents itself as. I can enjoy it, but that doesn’t mean I won’t stop to question it now and then.
