It is a buzz track and I realized this after noting a few things.
First, it's not available to buy and is being given away for free. By doing this, Bey immediately prices herself out of the "chart race" and instead uses the track and its video to set the tone and theme for her upcoming era and sell tickets for her tour (where the real $ is at). Look at it like a vehicle to sell what really keeps her on the Forbes list.
I think the reason so many of us are surprised is because the term "buzz track" is usually used by flops who borrow the phrase for songs that didn't fare well commercially. With Bey, she has used it in the most literal sense of the term and it's working handsomely. It's created actual, tangible, and genuine buzz, and has seen conversation explode. All without the pressure of chart positions. And make no mistake, there was/is still pressure for her.
I'm Hive, but also realistic about Bey's strengths and challenges. One of the issues for the longest has been her ability (or lack-there of to sell singles). It's so odd (but also not) because she has no problem selling albums even when they leak (4) or have barely any promo (Self Titled), but the singles thing has pretty much haunted her for the last two eras.
Imagine her flinging 'Formation' up on iTunes and the horror of it trailing behind Zayn or worst still Rih. People are fickle and won't spotlight the fact it's an unapologetic Urban track that isn't mass appealing. They would automatically call her a flop, thus diminishing the cultural importance and impact of the song. Bey does not need that, nor does her album campaign, and nor does the tour tickets she's trying to sell. So, effectively taking herself out of the rat race is the smartest option and sees her "win" without the pressure of all the usual ish.
Not every artist has the power to spin a weakness into a strength, but that's what she's worked for and is now playing the game (and trust she is playing it) and slaying it...on her terms.
More than the song, I'm actually stanning for the brainpower behind all of this. It seems to have been thought out from every angle. From how it'll position her, to how to not make it a commercial/charting conversation, to how to have its release not overshadow Coldplay (blatantly) at the SB. Look at SB, Bey gets the tour tickets rub and Chris Martin and co get the sales bump. Everyone is winning.
So excited to see where this era takes us. 'Formation' doesn't feel like a 'Grown Woman' type of buzz single. I think it's guaranteed to be on the album. She's named the tour after it. I think it represents the new movement, sound, and attitude. Almost like a ratchet Rhythm Nation (no direct connection to the song, but the movement, tone, and assertiveness)
It's not a single (that much is clear), but I can almost bet that she'll say that she wanted to debut it first to make a statement and set the tone. Almost like a Bow Down/I Been On situation with more thought and a clearer vision/impetus.
We know now that Columbia was not involved with this release at all, its the true definition of a buzz single, not some failed lead single but a song meant to generate a buzz around a project, which it has done and then some.
like her production designer said, Formation is part of a bigger story that will unfold in the coming weeks, as I said before its likely the majority of recording is finished as she will have to start preparing concepts for performances for the tour
Some of y'all are dumb AF.
It's giving away for "free", but bey is donating money in return. Basically bey paid for y'all to get in formation.
There's nothing buzz track about formation. It's a statement, not a single. Columbia just fuming that they can't capitalize on it. Can't wait for bey to leave them after this album. Sick of them.
It is a buzz track and I realized this after noting a few things.
First, it's not available to buy and is being given away for free. By doing this, Bey immediately prices herself out of the "chart race" and instead uses the track and its video to set the tone and theme for her upcoming era and sell tickets for her tour (where the real $ is at). Look at it like a vehicle to sell what really keeps her on the Forbes list.
I think the reason so many of us are surprised is because the term "buzz track" is usually used by flops who borrow the phrase for songs that didn't fare well commercially. With Bey, she has used it in the most literal sense of the term and it's working handsomely. It's created actual, tangible, and genuine buzz, and has seen conversation explode. All without the pressure of chart positions. And make no mistake, there was/is still pressure for her.
I'm Hive, but also realistic about Bey's strengths and challenges. One of the issues for the longest has been her ability (or lack-there of to sell singles). It's so odd (but also not) because she has no problem selling albums even when they leak (4) or have barely any promo (Self Titled), but the singles thing has pretty much haunted her for the last two eras.
Imagine her flinging 'Formation' up on iTunes and the horror of it trailing behind Zayn or worst still Rih. People are fickle and won't spotlight the fact it's an unapologetic Urban track that isn't mass appealing. They would automatically call her a flop, thus diminishing the cultural importance and impact of the song. Bey does not need that, nor does her album campaign, and nor does the tour tickets she's trying to sell. So, effectively taking herself out of the rat race is the smartest option and sees her "win" without the pressure of all the usual ish.
Not every artist has the power to spin a weakness into a strength, but that's what she's worked for and is now playing the game (and trust she is playing it) and slaying it...on her terms.
More than the song, I'm actually stanning for the brainpower behind all of this. It seems to have been thought out from every angle. From how it'll position her, to how to not make it a commercial/charting conversation, to how to have its release not overshadow Coldplay (blatantly) at the SB. Look at SB, Bey gets the tour tickets rub and Chris Martin and co get the sales bump. Everyone is winning.
So excited to see where this era takes us. 'Formation' doesn't feel like a 'Grown Woman' type of buzz single. I think it's guaranteed to be on the album. She's named the tour after it. I think it represents the new movement, sound, and attitude. Almost like a ratchet Rhythm Nation (no direct connection to the song, but the movement, tone, and assertiveness)
It's not a single (that much is clear), but I can almost bet that she'll say that she wanted to debut it first to make a statement and set the tone. Almost like a Bow Down/I Been On situation with more thought and a clearer vision/impetus.
Yes, and again Bey and her team were super sensitive with regards to the timing of releasing Formation + the video. As we all now, she actually planned to perform it at MIA, but didnt do it in the end. Why? It certainly wasnt a random a random decision. She and her team saw how the stars were aligning: Black history month, 50th aniversary of the Black Panther Movement, SB for maximum exposure.. I mean, the timing was literally PERFECT.
And I agree, Formation is way more powerful as this buzz type of song that does not have to compete on any kind of chart level. Bey knows what she's doing to create a legacy that is incomparable. Im so very proud of this woman.
Some of y'all are dumb AF.
It's giving away for "free", but bey is donating money in return. Basically bey paid for y'all to get in formation.
There's nothing buzz track about formation. It's a statement, not a single. Columbia just fuming that they can't capitalize on it. Can't wait for bey to leave them after this album. Sick of them.
You're sick of a label that (along with her father, DC members, and team of brilliant minds around her) allow her to be at the level she is today? Beyonce is the best, make no mistake about that. Her talent and the package she presents is unparalleled in today's industry. But as a stan it's jarring to see so many minimize the efforts of those around her to make her who she is.
Why the anti-Columbia sentiment? Because she says "these records labels are boring" in one song? Or because she did the last album without much involvement from them? Or because they, after '4's relative underperformance, were said to be more strict with what they wanted from her...allegedly rejecting the first draft of ST? Something totally understandable as labels are BUSINESSES who NEED to make a ROI (return on investment) to remain profitable?
Her immense talent aside, her record label is one that stands as a rare example of a team really getting behind an artist and blasting their star into the stratosphere. Yes, she's the main vehicle for her success. But they, with all their corporate clout, are the ones putting fuel in the tank. Or at least were before she matured enough to take control herself (a good thing).
Bey's success has been a team effort and IMO there should be more acknowledgement of that rather than us always looking for a villain when there may very well not be one.
Beyoncé and Rob Stringer are good friends, she has no issues with Columbia - she just keeps her circle very small so that she can protect her projects and keep them a surprise for us.
did I stutter? Yes Im sick of the label that told her DIL would have no hits. Yes I'm sick of the label that managed to leak her album 5 weeks before the release date. Yes I'm sick of the label that didn't see it for Single Ladies! Yes I'm sick of the label that she doesn't trust herself. I don't trust these record labels, I'm touring! Yes im sick of the label that spend all of 2013 trolling the fans with coming soon ads, further showing they were not IN THE KNOW!
Are we still believing that HDD is all of a sudden not reliable because they got ONE thing wrong and that was the date of ANTI's release which was the cause of Rih taking forever to release it?
Like please have several seats and stop this "HDD can't be trusted" campaign that you an many other clueless members have been on.
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I believe them and I knew she would pull a 2013 again seeing as though the title of the tour is after the buzz track
did I stutter? Yes Im sick of the label that told her DIL would have no hits. Yes I'm sick of the label that managed to leak her album 5 weeks before the release date. Yes I'm sick of the label that didn't see it for Single Ladies! Yes I'm sick of the label that she doesn't trust herself. I don't trust these record labels, I'm touring! Yes im sick of the label that spend all of 2013 trolling the fans with coming soon ads, further showing they were not IN THE KNOW!
