Beyoncé has been generating serious buzz since the recent release of her latest song “Bow Down/I Been On.”
The single, which includes lyrics that refers to women as “b*tches” and orders them to “bow down,” received mixed reviews from fans and critics.
If causing a stir was Beyoncé’s mission, consider it accomplished.
‘Modern-day feminist’
Yet, despite any interpretation of the song and thoughts from fans who may view the lyrics to be demeaning or belittling to women, the Grammy Award winning singer still considers herself to be a “modern-day feminist.”
Gracing the May cover of Vogue UK, Beyoncé talks to the magazine about her thoughts on self-identity, womanhood and gender equality.
“I guess I am a modern-day feminist. I do believe in equality. Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are? Why do you have to label yourself anything? I’m just a woman and I love being a woman,” she tells the magazine, adding, “I do believe in equality and that we have a way to go and it’s something that’s pushed aside and something that we have been conditioned to accept.”
A history of female empowerment anthems
Although many may argue that the lyrics to her latest song counter her embrace of feminism, the singer is also known for releasing empowering singles like “Independent Women,” and more recently “Run the World (Girls).” These songs, among many others, boast about female empowerment and are arguably a departure from her newest release.
Meanwhile, the wife of Sean Carter, also more popularly known as Jay-Z, will soon be embarking on her world tour – but for a woman who questions why women should have labels, the singer admits that she doesn’t mind being recognized as Mrs. Carter.
In what seems like the new replacement to her alter-ego Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé identified with the name so much so that she chose it to be the title of her upcoming world tour.
“I feel like Mrs. Carter is who I am, but more bold and more fearless than I’ve ever been,” she admits. “It comes from knowing my purpose and really meeting myself once I saw my child. “I was like, ‘OK, this is what you were born to do.’ The purpose of my body became completely different.”
After opening up more about motherhood and her 1-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, Beyoncé says, “I definitely want my daughter to have goals and drive and passion — it has to be a balance. I hope she figures it out. Whatever makes her happy, I’m there. I do feel like I’m going to be honest with my daughter.”
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