One thing is undeniable. Beyoncé is a master at creating visual projects to help bring her music to life. One video that really made an impact is ‘Formation’. The song served as the lead single off the star’s sixth studio album ‘Lemonade’ and the video quickly became a phenomenon thanks to the story and striking visuals and textures attached to the clip. Now, as MTV celebrates it’s 40th anniversary, Rolling Stone has crowned the video as the greatest of all time.
The video, whoch was released in 2016 and directed by Melina Matsoukas, topped the list over other iconic music videos like Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean,’ Prince’s ‘Kiss’ and Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’.
According to director Matsoukas, Queen Bey wanted the video to show the “historical impact of slavery on black love, and what it has done to the black family,” as she explained to The New Yorker in 2017.
“I wanted to show — this is black people. We triumph, we suffer, we’re drowning, we’re being beaten, we’re dancing, we’re eating, and we’re still here,” Matsoukas added while discussing the “Formation” video’s concept.
Beyoncé is featured on the list two more times — ‘Single Ladies’ at No. 12 and ‘Telephone,’ a collaboration with Lady Gaga, placed at 66.
The full list of the 100 greatest music videos of all time can be found here.
