Beyonce Knowles pulls a Mariah Carey, but worse.
It seems with almost every diva, there is always a point where their lives are plagued with turmoil, either personally (Whitney), professionally (J. Lo), or both (Mariah). At the moment, Beyonce's career is all that's at stake, but considering some of the recent choices she's made concerning her music (and music videos, for that matter), I'd be inclined to think something's not quite right upstairs.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Tntra
Let the album sales speak for themselves.
27 - smashley1985
Hmmm... Obviously you lot haven't listened to a certain song on the album called (funny enough) 'Listen'.
In this song Beyonce cements herself as one of the all time great female vocalists. Quite frankly, I haven't heard anything like it, not even from Whitney - and I'm a big time fan of Whitney's voice.
Other awesome song's on the album include Upgrade U (man, you should hear this in a club, it's amazing), Get Me Bodied, Green Light, Resentment, Irreplacable, Kitty Kat and Suga Mamma... Hmmm... What's that? Well over half the album I've listed off hand as being amazing tracks!
Beyonce's vocal talent has really shone through on B'Day and quite frankly, she's the HOTTEST CHIC IN THE GAME. Heck, there ain't even anyone capable of playing the same game as Bee at the moment...
Y'all need to go get your ears checked 'cos you missing out on the most talented female artist currently making music.
28 - Ethelyn
Y would you have to knock a black woman and call her a bitch.
29 - Shaun
I thought your article was just great. Beyonce is a very talented singer and has presence, but the management behind her is moving her in the wrong direction. She has been working with her father and mother for sometime. They got her to where she needed to be, but now she needs someone to get her where she needs to go. Beyonce's image is Tina Turner. The hair, the clothes, the stage performances. I watched footage of Tina in the 60's, 70', 80's, 90's and up to her farewell tour in 2000. Beyonce seems to do much of what Tina did. It's nice to borrow from prominent artists. It's a form of respect. However, originality is great as well. Beyonce needs to take some time off and really write somethings that mean something. She's a good artist and with the right direction, she could be great. She might even stop her Tina Turner impersonation.
30 - Laylah
Did she take your boyfriend? You sound like a queen!!!!!!!! LMAO! I cannot believe you bashed a 9 time grammy winning, 150 milion album selling, Over 10 year in the business top R&B Artist! You evidentally just don't like Beyonce! As a PAID critic you are sooooooo bias! You may not care for all of her music, that is your opinion, but to flat out say that she is a failure is rediculous. Boo, she has many fans somebody is making her #1, here and in the UK, the videos on MTV etc......Black america LOVES HER as well as MANY whites...We ll all races do....You are so stupid that I really don't have to defend her. The numbers speak for themselves as well as her numerous awards. And as forthe white dress in the beginning of Deja' Vu? It fit baby, like a glove and it is called a black womans body curvy and shaply, oh I guess you wouldn't know cause Paris hilton and the rest of the studio Ho's are anorexic! Get a life The girl is talented, and came with her A game. She didn't give you Dangerously in Love she is giving you B'Day in a BIG WAY! Keep your head up "B" THEY CAN"T TAKE U!!!!!!!!!! i love it!
31 - Laylah
You will never make it as a critic, you show so much hate that clearly is not intelligent! Take moer classes, learn to appreciate all music and look at the good and the bad You lost me talking about the clothes and Jay z and everything irrelivent to her as an artist.....You sound so gay, and you should rethink this as a career. Beyonce IS TALENTED!!!!!! We all know it. Was this supposed to be for Jessica Simpson? Get some business!
32 - Dawn
That was a fun read - the video is retarded. I haven't heard any other songs off the album, but I must reiterate that "Deja Vu" is more like "Deja Poo". Beyonce is great, but sheesh - this effort blows.
Oh, and don't let all the hos around here get you down ;)
33 - Snarkattack
Funny, I heard her on telly being interviewed and she was talking about how people have really ripped into her about her spastic dancing (she said herself she can't dance). Can her album really be that bad?
34 - MetaTools
The original writer was on point. Word on the street is correct. Not sure why she's wigging out...but she's wigging for sure. Keep it real. This isn't the place for fans or fan-mail. And why.da.heck do people have to be haters when people are telling the truth. Get a life!
35 - Chris Evans
It seems this article has made its way to the Beyonce message boards, as her entire mafia has flocked here to defend their beloved "Bee", and prove to everyone she has talent. The problem is, everything most of you are saying is irrelevant.
Some of you are trying your hardest to make it known what a talented artist she is. "She's the next Tina Turner!", "her vocal performance on such and such track is amazing". But it's all really pointless.
At no point in the article do I attack Beyonce's talent. Never do I say she can't sing. Never do I say she can't dance. Never do I say she has never and will never amount to anything as an artist. In this article I am simply pointing out the horrible choices she has made with regards to her newest album--especially in lieu of the greatness of "Dangerously In Love".
I've listened to the entire album, and to be frank, I haven't heard something this bad since I popped in Diana DeGarmo's album a few years back. Even the track names are embarassing.
"Freakum Dress", "Kitty Kat", "Suga Mama"...seriously? You've got to be joking me.
Like I said before...these songs are like something I could've written in the third grade. They're just simply not good enough. But once again, what do you expect from an album that was worked on in a matter of weeks?
When I first heard "Deja Vu", I thought "Well this is a decent song...but in no way good enough to be the first single of anybody's album. Let alone Beyonce's". But now that I have heard the entire album, I know why "Dejaj Vu" was the first single--it is the best song on the album. And that's not a compliment.
Some of you keep pasting random numbers and figures to prove your girl "Bee" still has it. But as one of the commenters pointed out here--that really means nothing. I could sit here and paste 50 numbers and figures of artists who have hit #1 here and there but their music sounds like something I could hear on Disney's "Out of the Box" on a Saturday morning.
Like I said, when B-Day drops, she will debut and #1 and will probably have decent first week numbers due to her star power. But the weakness of the music this time around will unfortunately cause the album to drop in sales quickly, and it will not live up to "Dangerously In Love"--in terms of quality, praise, awards, or sales.
36 - Femme
For a person who doesn't realize that the video is set solely in Louisiana and references her African and Creole heritage I don't know if I can trust your opinion of her work.
Also, somebody that dismisses having a #1 song on the R&B chart as not important, just doesn't seem like you have much respect for R&B music, period.
The lastest album is fabulous and will do exceptionally well.
37 - Chrisevans isa dragqueen
Hey Chris Im not registered at Beyonce fan board.. But I will have to say for someone who wishes Beyonce would be mauled by an alligator, youre a BONIFIDE HATER with no damn life, who probably deserves to have your organs ripped from the limbs of your body.... I live right by too...
38 - Relisha
Beyonce's B'Day is good and 35,000 people in my neighborhood agree!!! My local radio station, had a B'Day listening party and 97% of the people loved it...
39 - Carl L
I heard the album in it's entirety and it is far better than "Deja Vu" which was a weak single in my opinion. The album has about 5 hot songs that could be released as a SINGLE. It is funny how Pharell's track is actually the wackest track on the album(trust me, "Deja Vu" is even better than "Greenlight" ).
"DEJA VU" is NOTHING compared to the rest of the album(except "Greenlight" which is a wack track, lyrically it's OK).
While the author of this article has an amusing writing style, she/he doesn't understand music and creativity if she/he is says that the album is wack.
Obviously Beyonce fell in love with one of her creations and believed it would be an unstoppable winner. At LEAST she believed in herself enough to go that far. Can you really blame a person for doing what they loved to do, and that is also willing to take risks on themselves? I admire that in Beyonce. I will always be a fan of her's because of that.
Let that hater hate. That is only one person's opinion.
As for those new videos of Beyonce's, I prefer not to see that glamour image on every single video( Or scene) because it doesn't fit every song. "Crazy In Love" was balanced
40 - L808
Oh, leave Chris alone, he's not really a loser with nothing better to write, he is just studying to be an Entertainment Journalist. He can't help it if he is off by a long shot. Maybe with more study he can be a more reliable/trusted critic. Most of the people that have heard the NEW leaked Beyonce songs on the radio are in love with them so maybe Chris will learn how to tune into what's really hot and what's really not hot.
The Beyonce B-Day album is actually going to be a hit, not because it is Beyonce, but because it is a hot album. Yes, we know Deja Vu isn't the greatest but so what. That's why the Billboard 100 exists, because not every song will be number one all of the time.
41 - what a dumb ass
You sit here and say how you could have written those lyrics when you were in the 3rd grade, but you write how you want someone to be eaten by an alligator. That is so mature. Anyway, you are just one person, not everyone believes the same way you do; you have your own opinon and so do I. DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.
A lot of people that have disliked the album before it was leaked said some of the things you have said and they love the album now or they like it more.
I think it is really stupid that you would say that you never said that she can't dance when you said that she looks like Tina Turner goes schizo and a cockroach trying to die. Deja Vu is far from the best on her album, you seriouly didn't listen to the album at all if you believe that.
Do you mean to tell me that Irreplaceable, Upgrade U, Resentment, Kitty Kat, and Listen are worse than Deja Vu? YOU MUST BE SMOKING THAT STUFF. You are really making me want her album more. Don't you know that the more you talk shit the more people who like her are going to buy it. THANK YOU!
42 - jms
"Freakum Dress", "Kitty Kat", "Suga Mama"...seriously? You've got to be joking me.
Like I said before...these songs are like something I could've written in the third grade. They're just simply not good enough. But once again, what do you expect from an album that was worked on in a matter of weeks?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think the lyrics are a lot more relatable to women. I am a woman and I definitely feel her especially on Kitty Kat and Freek'um Dress. I'm sure every woman has been with a guy whose just not gettin' the job done. So Chris, although you are entitled to you opinion; it is hard to take it as completely credible since you are not a woman.
43 - what a dumb ass
@jms, he's probably pissed cause he thinks its about him and he is offended.
44 - Truth
Chris, we hate you as much as you hate Beyonce. You should stop studying Journalism and buy a Taxi or go mow lawns or find something that would probably be a better fit.
I heard her new songs on the radio last night and I loved it! Get a new life kid, your mom was right, you should quit.
45 - Chris Is Jealous of Beyonce
THIS IS THE SAME DUMB SCHMUCK THAT MADE A SIMILAR POSTING TO ANOTHER SITE. HE'S A GUY THAT'S UPSET THAT HE CAN'T LOOK OR DANCE LIKE BEYONCE SO HE'S TRYING TO DISS HER WHEN HE DISSED HIMSELF.
ANYTIME A HATER GOES STEP, BY STEP TO BREAK DOWN HATE = A JEALOUS MOFO. IF SHE'S WHACK, WHY DEVOTE SO MUCH TIME TO HER?
LET'S SEE WHAT YOU AND WHATEVER HATERS ARE FOLLOWING YOU POST WHEN SHE GOES PLATINUM WITHIN 2 WEEKS..... HOW SHE ALWAYS DOES!!!!
SUCK ON THAT CHRIS....
46 - carol
GO BELOVED BEE!!!!!
Press Release Source: Music World Music/Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records
Beyonce's 'Deja Vu' is an International Smash
Monday August 28, 5:37 pm ET
First Single From Pop Icon's Eagerly Awaited New Album Tops Charts In US, UK, Japan, Hong Kong & More
NEW YORK, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Pop music superstar Beyonce is topping charts around the world once again with "Deja Vu" (featuring Jay-Z), the first single from her avidly-awaited new album, B'Day.
"Deja Vu" is #1 on the Single Sales chart, #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart in the US, according to Billboard. "Deja Vu" was also a #1 song on iTunes.
A bona fide international sensation, "Deja Vu" is the #1 commercial single in the United Kingdom and Japan and has achieved #1 Airplay in Hong Kong. The track made it to #1 on the German Club Charts, is the #1 R&B Airplay song in the Philippines and is #1 on major stations in Indonesia.
A groundbreaking video for "Deja Vu," lensed by the world-renowned British director Sophie Muller (an MTV Music Video Award winner), was the #1 video on Yahoo!, the #1 most-streamed video at MTV.com, and the #1 video on MTV's "TRL" ("Total Request Live"). The "Deja Vu" video has also hit the #1 spot in the UK.
Beyonce's B'Day, one of 2006's most eagerly-anticipated albums, is slated for worldwide release on September 4 (September 5 in the US), in celebration of Beyonce's 25th birthday.
47 - Julia
Lmao! You all are idiots. Chris, this article is hilarious. It's just sad yet predictable that Beyonce's fans have come here to troll your article just because they disagree with what you have to say.
Do they not see the big red letters in the top left corner that read "OPINION"?
-dies laughing-
48 - what a dumb ass
Julia, if you would have read my post you would know that i said that he has his own opinion and so do I. Not everything that people do will be liked by all.
49 - Julia
^^My comment was not directed necessarily towards you. There are 48 comments on this article.
50 - what a dumb ass
Yeah but not everyone is going to agree with what he says.
51 - Julia
And that's okay. But there's a difference between agreeing and voicing your opinion, and mercilessly personally attacking the writer as if he's just killed your dog.
52 - Julia
disagreeing*
53 - what a dumb ass
But don't you think that everyone here is voicing thier opinions. I believe that if we want to we can say what we feel just like he does.
54 - hunnybee
People should express their OPINION. Enough people have expressed their OPINION that they liked Beyonce's Deja Vu that they voted, requested, downloaded, and brought the single/video. All these OPINIONS collectively have made it a FACT that DEJA VU is #1 WORLDWIDE. CAN'T ARGUE WITH THE FACTS:-)
55 - Julia
But don't you think that everyone here is voicing thier opinions. I believe that if we want to we can say what we feel just like he does.
But like I said, there's a difference between disagreeing and voicing that opinion, and personally attacking someone else for theirs.
People should express their OPINION. Enough people have expressed their OPINION that they liked Beyonce's Deja Vu that they voted, requested, downloaded, and brought the single/video. All these OPINIONS collectively have made it a FACT that DEJA VU is #1 WORLDWIDE. CAN'T ARGUE WITH THE FACTS:-)
First of all, it isn't a fact that "Deja Vu" is number one worldwide. It isn't number one in America. Second, like Chris already said--the fact that the song has been number one here or there on this chart or that chart does not reflect the quality of the song or the artist. Case in point: Britney Spears.
56 - Adrian
Hah! If they're so confident in Beyonce why feel the need to issue a press release addressing the negative press she's been getting about the B'Day songs and videos? Obviously they're feeling vulnerable.
57 - Sandra L.
HILARIOUS!!!!!
All my friends keep laughing so hard at Beyonce's new videos. We used to like her back in the Crazy In Love days...but she's just gone crazy with this new B'Day era.
And the sad part is...they think she's gonna get an Oscar nomination for Dreamgirls. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Dude, seriously????? Beyonce....Oscar? Hell will freeze OVER before that shit happens.
Yeah, Chris, and what is with the African jiggle jiggle?
58 - what a dumb ass
Julia go check the Billboard Rnb charts because they tell otherwise. I'm gonna say what I wanna say regardless. Everything I have said is my opinion, and you can agree of disagree if you want to. You don't have to agree with nobody's opinion that the poing of having an opinion. I don't know why i am talking to you anyway. Sandra L. did you get an advance screening of Dreamgirls because you don't even know how she will be in that movie and the oscar buzz isn't surrounding her. They think maybe Jamie foxx, Jennifer Hudson, or Eddie Murphy may be up for an Oscar. Get the facts straight.
59 - Marty
I never like her because every move she makes seems so desperate and so... pragmatic.
I prefer artists who actually make music because they feel it out, that's the only way to come up with good things. Good things can be made in ten days, only if one's really pushed by inspiration instead of wanting to catch people's eyes.
I feel sorry for her, she surely has talent and is a great performer, but I think she has an attitude problem towards her career.
60 - Real World
Well she won't get any new fans, I'll tell you that.
Shes relying right now on her current hardcore fans to keep her from going under...
61 - Julia
Julia go check the Billboard Rnb charts because they tell otherwise. I'm gonna say what I wanna say regardless. Everything I have said is my opinion, and you can agree of disagree if you want to. You don't have to agree with nobody's opinion that the poing of having an opinion. I don't know why i am talking to you anyway. Sandra L. did you get an advance screening of Dreamgirls because you don't even know how she will be in that movie and the oscar buzz isn't surrounding her. They think maybe Jamie foxx, Jennifer Hudson, or Eddie Murphy may be up for an Oscar. Get the facts straight.
I'm talking about the BILLBOARD HOT 100. The main chart, NOT R&B. As Chris stated in the article, Beyonce is R&B's biggest star--they're going to play her first single off her new album regardless of what it is.
Secondly, you're wrong about Dreamgirls. I have seen the movie sweetheart. I saw it in New York early this year at a preview screening. It's a great film, and Jennifer Hudson will surely be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. But as you may not know, the studio behind the movie purposely booted Jennifer out of the Lead Actress spot to make room for Beyonce to get a nod in that category--even though Effie (Jennifer's character) is who the story revolves around.
You should read this article by the L.A. Times. All about how Jennifer got cheated out of her lead spot due to making room for Ms. Bee.
62 - Andrew The Great
It seems like she could care less about music anymore... Its like she just rushed this to get it out there to make some quick money and basically rob her fans... Her videos suck, the songs are her worst yet... they lack creativity and obviously had nothing put into them...
Kind of like Outkast, they don't seem to care that their album is out... They did little promotion and they refuse to tour with this new album... Not a good way to get people to invest in your music...
63 - Maxine Gray
I think shes concentrating more on that Oscar or whatever. She got her Grammy's, she sold her albums, she did her sold out tours. She wants a oscar now .
64 - LMAO
^^^^REALITY CHECK: BeYAWNce will win an oscar ...when HELL freezes over!
65 - Dante
Whoa, whoa , whoa , someone is smoking crack here. The author of this need to seriously rethink his career.
Beyonce may have had a bad start with this album, but wait until you see how she finishes. The album is a winner, the response of the people was overwhelming when they played "Upgrade U" and " Freakum Dress" . Why those weren't the first out is beyond me, bad choice on their part. I heard the whole album and it is better than alot of those corny new albums that are out now. Stop hatin' , go get another job delivering pizza or something.
66 - hunnybee
R&B Music has had such a huge impact on music history. And to discount R&B Music/Charts because you don't care for Beyonce's new work, is unfortunate. Peace, love and respect to everyone here.
67 - Maxine Gray
He wasn't discounting R&B. He was discounting the radio DJs on R&B stations that will play anything Beyonce puts out.
68 - OVERLORD
I have come to be a voice of reason. Firstly, lets look at how this album matches up to previous albums by beyonce..... ok, time. IT SUCKS. we all know beyonce is incredibally tallented, but we also know this isn't close to her best. (DESTINY'S CHILD ring any bells?) Next, stop bashing people that know this *cough* Chris Evans *cough*. Come on, im sure we can all agree this album could have and should have been better if she just took her time. Dont lie to yourself just because you like beyonce. Lastly, this "#1 on the charts" crap is getting out of hand. There are so many R&B artists out there now days that it hardly matters if you're number one. EVERYONE WAS NUMBER ONE WHEN THEY CAME OUT WITH A NEW ALBUM AND HAD A GOOD REPUTATION. we are sadly at the point now that being number one means close to nothing, especially when it only lasts for a week in Beyonce's case. There are songs that have lasted over fifty weeks, like Chingy's "One Call Away". stop saying things that carry little or no validation.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SUBJECT AT HAND: i personally liked kelly's solo album better than beyonce's. It's old now, but it's the good quality we've all been looking for.... or have we?
69 - Mimisiku
This is so damn funny! that article about Beyonce its hilarius! I really liked Beyonce first album, i loved Crazy in Love, and the other singles, even Dangerously in Love wich is such a powerful ballad and her performance at the Grammy was amazing! but lets face it, this is not her best work ever, i mean Deja Vu (song and video) sucks!! Beyonce is way more better then this, she has proven it! I cna see now that she doesnt have respect for her fans by doing this album in a rush, taking just 10 days to record it, what was she thinking? you cant do such thing and expect to have a hit. I have a theory, its going well for the song Deja Vu becouse her fans after all love her and go out and buy the single, but just becouse her fans unconditional love, otherwise it would have totally failed!! lets face it, Beyonce its so talented that could have done way better than this. Btw im not a Beyonce hater, i really like her and enjoy her music.
70 - aicha
I agree with you 100%! As a reporter,i couldn;t have written abetter blog. Maybe Beyonce should hire you to write her next material. Great Job Chris!
71 - Luisa
Can't wait for Beyonce and Shakira to do a song together. Two deranged pop stars making millions. Why does Beyonce look so disturbed lately?
72 - Steven
I think, that the deja vu is nice song, but not the video, is really a parody of awkward dancing. and the RTA, is just completely sickening, with those siren blurps out of nowhere thingy, it hurts my ears
73 - Stephanie
Finally, someone has hit it dead on. The first two singles off of the B-Day CD completley suck right along with her new hair do that look just terrible. This guy has a future ahead of him because he tells it like it is.
74 - Larry
This is someone who has no credibility in the music industry. I don't even know why the hell I read this BS in the first place...lol...I can't wait until B'Day sell millions so the "HATERS" can shut the hell up for a change.
75 - salem
THERE IS ENTIRELY TOO MUCH HATE GOING ON!!!
GET YOUR WEIGHT UP/NOT YOUR HATE!