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Africa as a continent is known as the backdrop of many modern civilizations and the motherland to Black people all over the world. Beyoncé recently released the trailer of her visual album, ‘Black is King’, which has received varied reactions from African Americans and Africans alike––especially those who live in Africa. The question being, is Queen B appropriating African culture?
Here’s some of what is being said about Beyoncé and her use of African culture…
BLACK IS KING, a film by @Beyonce. Streaming exclusively July 31. #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/aM7JZwivxk
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) June 29, 2020
Africa is diverse
This was one of the arguments brought forward by many who were criticizing Beyoncé’s use of the ‘African’ aesthetic in her performances, song lyrics, and music videos. Africa currently has 54 countries with over 500 distinct ethnicities and cultures and as many shades of melanin. For the most part, mainstream media tends to refer to Africa as a country or worse, a small village. Beyoncé News Song.
Some social media users are unhappy that Queen B seems to be reinforcing this rhetoric. They even called it Wakandafication and Wakanda nonsense referring to the portrayal of Wakanda in the popular Marvel movie, Black Panther.
Commercializing Africanism
For a number of others, this is the issue; taking the diverse cultures present in Africa and putting them together in a way that is beautiful enough to be sold in a project. For those who are on this side of the court, the bone of contention is not that African culture isn’t beautiful but it’s that this beauty is often only identified when it is time to sell a new project. More infuriating for these people is the fact that this project which premieres on Disney+ July 31, is not available in Africa. Beyoncé News Song.
Beyonce needs to stop using Africa as a trope because she won’t even come here to tour. https://t.co/hScoZC6vrh
— Nirvana ♡︎ (@noxytea) June 28, 2020
Africa is not her target audience
Among a good number of African Americans, there is the argument that Africa is not among her target audience. To them, these stories are relevant as African Americans continue to trace their way back to their roots and that all of Africa is a part of their roots seeing that many of them cannot specifically trace their ancestral ties to a family, a village, a town or even a country. Beyoncé Black Is King.
I agree, but I feel like y’all aren’t taking African American history into consideration when speaking about this. “wakandafication” didn’t necessarily start with black panther or Beyoncé. AA people have done many things throughout history, in effort to relate to the continent
— EP ? (@KingErin_) June 28, 2020
Beyoncé was recently awarded the BET Humanitarian Award for her contribution to the expression of black excellence, her aid of black communities in need, and numerous communities in Africa through her Bey Good Initiative. She is one of those celebrities whose activism permeates every area of her life, from her art to putting her money where her mouth is––so it’s no surprise that Beyoncé does have a strong force, in the form of the BeyHive, which defends her every move. Beyoncé News Song.
Congrats to Beyonce on her Humanitarian Award! #BETAwards #BETAwards2020 pic.twitter.com/TN9b0JB9ms
— The Beyonce World (@beyonceW0RLD) June 29, 2020
Beyoncé has not responded to the current conversation surrounding her use of African culture which is not surprising as the Queen has always been less talk; more action. However, we cannot deny this question is an important one for not just Beyoncé but for all of Black Hollywood and others in Hollywood [think Lion King and the likes] to answer. Are you reconnecting to your roots or are you just appropriating African culture?
Cover photo credit: Instagram – beyonce
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A life, style and culture writer with a borderline obsession for 80s fashion, though I made landfall a decade later. At Style Rave, we aim to inspire our readers by providing engaging content to not just entertain but to inform and empower you as you ASPIRE to become more stylish, live smarter and be healthier. Follow us on Instagram @StyleRave_ ♥