The Beyonce Effect

Since her late-1990s debut as a member of the R&B trio Destiny''s Child Beyonce Knowles has garnered both praise and criticism. While some consider her an icon of female empowerment others see her as detrimental to feminism and representing a negative image of women of color. Her music has a decidedly pop aesthetic yet her power-house vocals and lyrics focused on issues like feminine independence healthy sexuality and post-partum depression give her songs dimension and substance beyond typical pop fare. This collection of new essays presents a detailed study of the music and persona of Beyonce--arguably the world''s biggest pop star. Topics include the body politics of respectability; feminism empowerment and gender in Beyonce''s lyrics; black female pleasure; and the changing face of celebrity motherhood. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.