By Ashley Clarke with SGJC Student News Network
(SGJC) —The singing supernova Beyoncé released her latest project “Renaissance” in July 2022 after continuous societal battles of racial inequalities. In post-racial chaos, a flood of frustration and despair is left in the souls of the marginalized community in this era of Black depression.
Being a melody of freedom, rehabilitation, and joy, Renaissance has become therapy to heal from the Black lives’ loss over the years.
“These days, it’s hard to get excited about most things when so much tragedy happens every day,” said Mya Townsend, a senior communication major at Florida Memorial University. “When Renaissance was released, I listened to it every day after work because it helps me wash away the stress from that day. It’s almost therapeutic.”
Featuring Black dance music with elements of Chicago house, Detroit techno, ballroom, and disco, “Renaissance” has been nominated for Album of the Year and Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for the 2023 Grammy Awards, which airs 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
“I feel like Beyoncé’s Renaissance album was very moving. She uses this album as an outlet to voice her opinion as she does in many songs,” said Rayvon Smith of New Rochelle, New York, sophomore political science major at Morgan State University. “Her lyrics in ‘you won’t break my soul’ has motivated me to stay strong in times of adversity,”
Beyoncé was able to convey the essence of Black feminism and suffrage through the lyrics of “CHURCH GIRL,” singing “I’m finally on the other side … I finally found the extra smiles …Swimming through the oceans of tears we cried.” With an R&B, gospel fusion, “CHURCH GIRL” tells the story of women who have survived repression, finally embracing truth and freedom.
“Being in this country as a Black woman is the most tiring experience of my life. The lack of care we receive is sad because we do so much good and get so much bad in return. It’s time we get the recognition we deserve,” said Yolanda Waters of Washington, D.C., a 2022 Morgan StateUniversity alumna.
Through the creativity of Black expression, historic Black contributions have gone unnoticed in music for decades while being the foundation for all genres. If Beyoncé wins Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for the 2023 Grammy Awards, she’d be the second Black artist to receive the award, the first being Kaytranada for his album “Bubba” in 2022.
Crafted during the grips of modern-day genocide, Renaissance summoned life back into our society. Since the release of her first album in 2003, she has left a cultural footprint that will continue to be a political and racial outlet for years to come.
The writer is a student in the Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication