She’s back, by extremely popular demand! On Saturday, February 6, Beyoncé did what Beyoncé does best — surprise-release new music! Making it all the more momentous, her “Formation” music video, which is rife with political meaning, historical significance and cultural messages, debuted just one day before she made a cameo performance at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show alongside Coldplay and Bruno Mars. Casual.
And while her powerful performance at the show in front of millions of viewers will likely hold its own place in the history books, Beyoncé’s new music video is still playing on a loop days after its release.
Yes, it’s partly due to her always on-point dance moves, but it’s also about the attitude the pop diva exudes while preaching to her devoted followers.
This spirit can best be summed up in a series of already-viral GIFs. Here are the best ones:
1. “My daddy Alabama/My ma Louisiana”
Clad in a scarlet unitard with puffy long sleeves and a plunging neckline, Bey used her booty-poppin’ moves to represent a true “Texas/’Bama.”
2. Head nod
Sometimes all it takes is a simple nod. Standing in front of a dilapidated mansion, Beyoncé keeps her face hidden under the brim of a giant black hat with two long braids cascading down her sides. But when she pops her head up in time with the sick beat, a collective chill can be felt within the BeyHive.
3. She’s so reckless
Standing with her dancers in an empty pool, Beyoncé shows that she can sing “I’m so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress,” while wearing a simple gray athlete crop top and matching bottoms. NBD.
4. Twerkin’ (and Twirlin’) hard
Back in the red outfit (because really, it’s perfection), Beyoncé breaks it down while singing, “I dream it, I work hard / I grind till I own it / I twirl on them haters.” Really, who doesn’t?
5. Passenger side post up
Hanging her braids and head out of a car window, Bey has not a care in the world. It’s an effortless look you should be careful not to try at home.
6. Parasol shade
When Beyoncé twirls on her haters, she literally does so, olde timey–style, with a parasol and a high collar. Because she’s Beyoncé.
7. She slay
It’s not really necessary for Beyoncé to repeat the lyric “’Cause I slay, I slay, I slay,” because that conclusion is obvious. But she does so while sitting on top of a sinking cop car in a flooded New Orleans, an image that’s potent enough with or without the line.
Bonus GIF:
As if Beyoncé wasn’t already a bad bitch, her 4-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, also makes several noteworthy cameos in the video. When Bey sings, “I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros,” a proud little Blue poses for the camera with a hand on her hip like the toddler boss she is.
Tell Us: What was your favorite part of the “Formation” music video?
