Beyoncé has been crowned the G.O.A.T. of music videos as her video for “Formation” was named the greatest music video of all time by Rolling Stone.
The top 100 list was part of MTV’s 40th anniversary.
The video, which debuted during Black History month in 2016 and was directed by Melina Matsoukas, was hailed as “a striking commentary on significant moments in Black American history.”
“In under five minutes, Beyoncé moves from a plantation-style house where the Black denizens are the masters not the slaves to the top of a sinking police car,” says Rolling Stone. “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.”
The video was lauded as a female empowerment anthem, but some chose to view it as an anti-Police anthem instead.
“I mean, I’m an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood,” told Elle at the time. “But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe.
“But let’s be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me.”
Bey also opened out about the true meaning of feminism.
“Choosing to be a feminist has nothing to do with your femininity—or, for that matter, your masculinity. We’re not all just one thing. Everyone who believes in equal rights for men and women doesn’t speak the same, or dress the same, or think the same,” she explains. “If a man can do it, a woman should be able to. It’s that simple. If your son can do it, your daughter should be able to. Some of the things that we teach our daughters—allowing them to express their emotions, their pain and vulnerability—we need to allow and support our men and boys to do as well.”
