Beyoncé’s Super Bowl Performance Causes Political Backlash

Until now, I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to dislike Beyoncé. Yet somehow the internet proved me wrong this week when someone created the hashtag #BoycottBeyonce to bash Bey for performing her pro-black anthem “Formation” during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show.

In order to explain this bizarre and apocalyptic turn of events, lets start at the beginning.

On Saturday, in true Queen Bee fashion, Beyoncé quietly released her newest single “Formation” and its accompanying music video without any warning, and she literally broke the internet (during Black History Month no less.) In the song’s music video Beyoncé is unapologetically black, celebrating her culture and daughter’s natural hair, while also reminding us of Hurricane Katrina, #BlackLivesMatter, and black people’s growing distrust for police.

Then on Sunday, Beyoncé performed the new song live for millions of fans in a Black Panther themed Super Bowl halftime performance, before announcing an upcoming “Formation” world tour.

Watch Beyoncé’s Halftime Performance Below.

The performance left little room for misinterpretation, which angered some who apparently had hoped for “less political” musical entertainment. People (primarily haters) began using the hashtag #BoycottBeyonce to voice their disapproval for the “less than wholesome entertainment” and Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani attacked her performance saying, 

This is football, not Hollywood, and I thought it was really outrageous that she used it as a platform to attack police officers who are the people who protect her and protect us and keep us alive

The Bee Hive was quick to come to their queen’s defense, calling out critics on social media.

#BoycottBeyonce = I wish black people would just entertain me instead of standing up for #BlackLivesMatter + being proud of their culture. — jen miller (@jenerallyspeaks) February 9, 2016

Beyoncé tried to break racial barriers and speak out about crime on her culture. And instead you come up with #BoycottBeyoncé

— KOOL KID (@OshaneBlackwin) February 9, 2016

When she sang about Single Ladies, you were all hailing her as a queen, but now that she’s singing about being black it’s #BoycottBeyonce?

— no one (@Fenetta) February 9, 2016

But was Beyonce really wrong for using the Super Bowl platform to spread her message? Tell us what you think and cast your vote below!

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.