Beyonce has an unwavering, untouchable presence in the pop culture zeitgeist, so much so that it’s easy to forget that she’s been a part of it for over two decades. Beyonce recently turned 41 and most pop stars age out of the job before they reach their 30th birthday, yet Beyonce is a staple that’s here to stay. So, what is the secret behind Beyonce’s power and how does she retain control of her story?
We’re joined by music and culture journalist J’na Jefferson to look into Beyonce’s career and ability to stay on top no matter what. Beyonce’s meticulous, calculated, a force if you will and the way she continues to control her story is something many other stars wish they knew how to do. J’na helps us unpack how Beyonce has remained in control, how she’s given space to Black voices, how she’s stayed relevant through all of pop cultures ups and downs and so much more.
If you want to check out J’na’s work you can do so here or follow her on Twitter or Instagram!
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Want to talk more? Find us: @name3songs | @sara_feigin | @jenna_million
Past episodes of Name 3 Songs we think you’ll enjoy: Reclaiming 30: A Pop Star Renaissance with Hannah Ewens & Pop Stars Never Asked to Be Your Role Models
Sources for Beyoncé’s Power: A Story of Control
Beyoncé has mastered this celebrity age as creator of worlds, sayer of nothing (The Guardian, Jeol Golby, December 2019)
Beyoncé: Mighty Fly (2011 Cover Story & Gallery) (Complex, Gabriel Alvarez, July 2011)
Billion Dollars In An Elevator: Beyonce’s Calculated Authenticity (Vibe, Aliya S King, August 2014)
How Beyoncé Keeps the Internet Obsessed With Her (The Atlantic, Nolan Feeney, August 2013)
The Real Reason Why Beyonce No Longer Gives Interviews (The Things, Maurice Cassidy, October 2020)
Why Beyonce Stopped Giving Interviews (Nicki Swift, Jessica Sager, 2018)
Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Solange Step in an Elevator and the Rest is History: Remembering That Infamous Met Gala Moment 5 Years Later (E Online, Billy Nilles, May 2019)
The Power and Paradox of Beyoncé and Jay-Z Taking Over the Louvre (The New Yorker, Doreen St. Félix, June 2018)
Everything You Need to Know About Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Joint Album, Everything Is Love (Vulture, Dee Locket, June 2018)
How to Reclaim the F-Word? Just Call Beyoncé (Time, Jessica Bennett, Aug 2014)
Beyoncé explains why she performed in front of the word ‘feminist’ (Independent, Olivia Blair, 2016)
BEYONCÉ: HOW A LEGEND WAS MADE IN 15 YEARS (BET, J’na Jefferson, Aug 2018)
Beyoncé Discusses How People Might Interpret Her Privacy As Being ‘Closed Off’ (Elle, Olivia Blair, 2021)
Beyoncé’s ‘Lemonade’ album but a sip of her evolving feminist story (USA Today, Mabinty Quarshie, 2017)