Beyoncé just released a video album that portrayed an array of cultural topics. One of those topics was the degree of pain she felt after being cheated on by her husband.
When I saw on Instagram that the video was being released, I instantly downloaded Tidal, just to witness and praise the greatness of “Queen B.” (For those who aren’t aware, one of the owner of Tidal is Jay Z.)
Without realizing it, I’d given into their marketing strategy. Sad, but worth it. With all of the controversial discussions going on about, “Why he cheated on her” you’d think someone would ask why he even allowed it to be released.
According to an article on Vanityfair.com, Jay Z knew every single song that Beyoncé was going to release.
“Jay was involved in the creation of Lemonade and knew every song Bey was going to release,” a source close to the couple tells E!. “He knew the lyrics; he knew the implications. He had to approve the songs before release. . . Jay is all about self-expression, so he gets it. Beyoncé shares music before it’s released with Jay so he can listen and share his thoughts. When it comes to music, they are very in it together and supportive of each other’s craft.” (Vanity Fair)
So it’s simple. More drama equals more traffic. More traffic equals more money.
“Jay is a very smart businessman… Bottom line is that they are both really smart and they both saw dollar signs.” (Vanity Fair)
This is so disappointing for people who consume themselves with all that the media portrays to be true. When I was younger, I listened as everyone around me spoke of their dreams. I watched the anticipation of the future dance in their eyes. They lived in a world where anything was possible… and now… silence. All of their dreams, lost somehow. All of their goals, dead.
It makes sense though, the elements that have contributed to the demise of all of the innovative ideas and goals that so many people set for themselves. The example given with Beyoncé and Jay Z was only one example of the way media controls our lives. Apart from their marketing strategy, they stand as a pendulum for our idea of the perfect couple portrayed in “The American Dream.”
All of our goals and ideas are unconsciously controlled by mainstream media, by money that doesn’t even fall into the hands of the general population. We continue to feed into the lives that other people don’t even live. We consume ourselves in what is strangely considered entertainment in reality shows. Even though we all know these shows are staged, we continue to discuss every element as if it’s a part of our reality.
Sometimes, I scroll through social media and cry. My conscious cries. It cries for the people who revolve their lives around the mirage that mainstream media creates. It cries for all of the souls converted into distant memories. It cries for the people who go unnoticed. I mourn the people I once knew, who no longer know themselves.
I’m disgusted with how much the media has changed us.
