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Formation
Beyoncé
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- Album
- Lemonade
- Released
- 2016
- Genres
- Length
- 3:26
- Tempo
- 122 BPM
- Label
- Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia
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About this song
"Formation" is the twelfth track on Beyoncé's visual album Lemonade and was released in 2016. It was surprise-released with an unlisted music video the day before Beyoncé's Super Bowl 50 halftime performance, where she performed the track, and she announced The Formation World Tour afterward. The song was produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and co-written with Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi. Shots in the video come from Chris Black and Abteen Bagheri's 2012 bounce music documentary That B.E.A.T., filmed in New Orleans, and a representative for Beyoncé later confirmed the filmmakers were credited and compensated.
What it's about
The song is a bold declaration of Black pride, Southern heritage, and female empowerment. Its politically charged lyrics address systemic racism, police brutality, and identity while celebrating Black excellence, and its release timing marked the birthdays of Trayvon Martin and Sandra Bland.
Fun facts
- Written by Mike WiLL Made-It, Swae Lee, Beyoncé, Pluss and Slim Jxmmi.
- Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and Beyoncé.