We finally know what Beyonce’s mysterious “Lemonade” actually is.
Using spoken word, fashion and lots of lyrics about relationships, infidelity, empowerment and love, the singer presented her new music Saturday night in a series of stylized music videos.
She told the story of a woman not to be trifled with. The “visual album” offered something the music world has never seen before. The internet responded accordingly.
“Lemonade” was an ode to black women, and a deeply personal story at the same time. Beyonce shared home movies of her father, her wedding to rapper Jay Z, her pregnancy and daughter Blue Ivy’s birthday party.
Beyonce also made a statement through the appearances of women holding photos of black men who have been killed. Among the women were the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown, who held images of their sons. The chapter was marked “Resurrection.”
The nuanced and layered lyrics touched on many other themes including infidelity, though it wasn’t clear who was being referenced.
That led to fans trying to read the tea leaves regarding the state of Beyonce’s marriage to Jay Z.
There has long been speculation which was heightened in May 2014 after the now famous elevator incident involving the couple and her sister, Solange Knowles.
But the video presentation Saturday ended on a happy note for Bey and Jay, featuring images of them as a happy family along with daughter Blue Ivy.
As “Lemonade” wrapped, the new album of the same name appeared on Tidal, Jay Z’s streaming service.
The “world premiere event” on HBO had been eagerly awaited by the Beyonce faithful. HBO, which is owned by Time Warner, CNN’s parent company, offered a free preview weekend.
The Beyhive (as her devout fans are known) have been waiting not so patiently since February 6, when her single “Formation” debuted on Tidal and its controversial video dropped on YouTube.
The video contained imagery connected to the Black Lives Matter movement. Coupled with Beyonce’s provocative lyrics, the images inspired much conversation about matters of race and culture.
The debate intensified the next day, when the superstar performed with Coldplay and Bruno Mars during the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show. Her appearance with back up dancers dressed in Black Panther styled military gear incensed some people who believed she was being anti-police.
Ever since, fans have speculated about “Project Lemonade.” They pointed to “clues,” including photos of lemons Beyonce posted on social media.
Now, finally, mystery solved.
