#EVERYTHINGISLOVE Beyonce + Jay-Z’s Joint Album

FINALLY. We’ve been blessed with new Beyonce (and Jay-Z) music!!!!

This past weekend the Queen and King of music (and humanity tbh) dropped a new 9 song album Everything is Love and a music video to the single “Apeshit.” After her last two albums, it’s only right to declare Beyonce the inventor of visual albums. Her aesthetics and overall creative direction is on another level when she releases new music and this instance is no difference.

The video follows Beyonce and Jay around the Louvre, as they perform in front of some of the world’s most iconic Neoclassical pieces. The video introduces the Carters as they stand in front of the Mona Lisa. You can’t talk about the power, cultural and historical significance of art without mentioning Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at least once. Just like you can’t talk about the impact of music without mentioning Beyonce and Jay-Z. Here, we recognize the Carters’ universal standing as two of the most famous pieces of art, standing in front of one of the most famous pieces of artwork.

*SIDENOTE: Can someone find me the ASOS/Missguided/Fashion Nova budget version of their suits cause I’m gonna need that in my closet, ASAP. TYSM)

In a location that celebrates mainly white characters and their white artists, the Carters present their own place in history both as the subject and creator, in how they’ve risen to the elite level of the Louvre in spite of everything against them racially. Beyonce repeats: “I can't believe we made it (this is what we made, made). This is what we're thankful for (this is what we thank, thank)."

The Carters are giving respect to the ancestors who paved the way for them to be amongst the world’s most iconic and influential pieces— both literally and symbolically. This goes even deeper by looking into Beyonce racial makeup, whose mother is of French Creole background. Not only are the Carters grateful for their standing, but they celebrate it because they are deserving and hardworking of it.

For a deeper analysis of the video’s symbolism cause YA KNOW THERE ARE LAYERS, please read Heidi Herrera academic take on the video thanks to that blessed art history degree. Also, watch the video another 10 times if you haven’t already.

#beyonce #jayz #everythingislove #apeshit #lemonade #thelouvre #monalisa #leonardodivinci