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Chicago Tribune talks Formation & Rhythm Nation parallels
How Beyonce's 'Formation' tour mirrors Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation'
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[…] Jackson — fresh off the success of her third studio album, "Control" — had grown tired of the endless violence shown on the still fairly new 24-hour news cycle at the time. She made her voice heard on her fourth album, "Rhythm Nation 1814," which, according to producer Jimmy Jam, captured Jackson's state of mind at the time.
"(Back) then, there was the cry for our youth. Our youth was deteriorating (and) Janet wanted to save the youth of that time," said Jimmy Locust, the short dancer in Jackson's black-and-white "Rhythm Nation" video.
"Today, the sign of the times, you have Black Lives Matter. You have police brutality that is happening and is very evident and people are getting tired of receiving that," Locust continued. "So, I think she (Beyonce) used her platform to speak about it."
Locust isn't just talking about "Formation" the song and video. He's also speaking about Beyonce's Super Bowl 50 halftime show performance. Clad in all-black outfits and berets, her set was a nod to all things sacred in the black community — from the subtle Black Power salute and militant moves to the all-black female HBCU-style band. Keep in mind that all of this happened at the Super Bowl, for the entire world to see.
"Anytime you put anybody in black and there are more than 15 people moving crisply together, automatically you think about 'Rhythm Nation,' which is a really cool honor to have," said Anthony Thomas, the legendary choreographer who came up with the militant "Rhythm Nation" dance routine.
[…] Regardless of the positive and negative chatter, Beyonce used her platform to talk about something that's current — another similarity to "Rhythm Nation's" success.
"It was a strong message," Locust said. "I feel like now, people are tired of black people being killed and beaten and mistreated. (Beyonce's) the voice for a lot of people."
Jackson's chart-topping "Rhythm Nation" was an open invitation for future artists to march unafraid and unapologetically to the beat of social justice, freedom and equality. After nearly 20 years in the business, Beyonce is now choosing to be more than a pop star with a catchy chorus. She's woke, and her movement is just beginning. […]
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The whole article is a good read if you’ve got the time.
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