Let’s face it, Mrs. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter years have been on a successful, forward trajectory for a while now; and it’s no surprise that even in one of the most socially and politically tumultuous years to date (within the 21st century), Queen Bey has still managed to flourish wonderfully throughout the year 2017 and did it without even bringing out new music (of her own). Here we’ll breakdown 10 reasons why Beyoncé had a truly beautiful all year’17. Lemonade is still pouring: While we’re still living for Lemonade it’s been 1 ½ years since Beyoncé dropped her pivotal groundbreaking and ceiling shattering visual album Lemonade and our ears have never been the same. Since we are still rocking to it throughout the moments when we're feeling any type of way; whether it be empowered, need empowerment, feeling bitchy, bold, fierce, like a badass or vulnerable or all the feels in between. Bey provided us a keepsake visual of her album that can last forever.
a). Grammy’s Galore: She now has a career high of 22 Grammys
Plus, there was that beautiful breathtaking performance she did while super pregnant at the Grammys this year leaving us all gasping as that chair went 90◦ degrees backwards in midair (yeah, we were terrified too). Let’s be honest though Beyoncé would not play with her or her babies safety. That night she won two Grammys, one for Best Music Video in "Formation" and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Lemonade (which was a crock because, she should’ve won for Best Album of the Year period…just saying).
b). How To Make Lemonade: Beyoncé decided to take her visual project further and introduce a 600-page keepsake, coffee table book. Featuring all of the stills, photos during and the behind the scenes process from the Lemonade project. Talk about the ultimate Beyhive gift.
2). Baby’s times deux: February 1st 2017 Beyoncé announced that she was pregnant with twins (Sir and Rumi) via Instagram and the world indeed stopped for the day. Not that we didn’t need that beautiful news at that opportune time; since, you know we now have "45" in the white house.
( See also #5)
3). Unfadeable Ivy Park: Beyoncé continues to flourish within the athleisure sector of the fashion world with her brand Ivy Park and her previous campaigns have featured the likes of SZA and Chloe x Halle (to name a few) and this past spring/summer collection featured eclectic models to show off the new pieces. Including transgender actress/activist Laverne Cox; the next collection should be debuting in February 2018.
4). Formation Scholarships: Since Beyoncé’s sixth album (Lemonade) was dropped in 2016, in order to mark the anniversary Beyoncé announced the Formation Scholars program. Which provides scholarships “to encourage and support young women who are unafraid to think outside the box and are bold, creative, conscious and confident,” according to the official announcement.
The program — which, obviously, shares a name with Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour that launched shortly after the release of Lemonade — will offer four scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year to young women studying creative arts, music, literature or African-American studies.
Four schools are participating in the program: Howard University, Berklee College of Music, Spelman College and Parsons School of Design; with one deserving student selected from each institution.
5). Instagram Rules The World: The most Instagrammed Photos of the Year
a). Beyoncé’s pregnancy announcement was the most liked Instagram photo of 2017 with (11.2 million likes) + she’s been killing her IG with Artful Gallery filled with funky and fun digital art collages.
6). The Lion King Cometh: In late October Beyoncé was announced to be cast as Nala in the Live Action version of The Lion King alongside Donald Glover (Simba) who’s been winning all 2017, too! This is a match made in cinematic live action heaven…who’s ready for 2019? I know, I know let’s get to 2018 first.
7). Best Revenge is Your Paper: Beyoncé has made the Forbes list of the world’s highest paid woman in entertainment of the Year, grossing $350 million dollars in 2017! Knocking out Taylor Swift and she did that without even dropping a new album or performing… remember she was pregnant for half of the year.
8). Duets on Duets on Duets: Queen Bey may have not brought out any new music as a solo artist this year nonetheless, she did provide her vocals on a hand full of tracks this year for other artists. Sprinkling her "B" magic on every song. Making it perfect. Including…DJ Khaled's "Shining", Mi Gente Remix for Hurricane Relief and tracks with Eminem and Ed Sheeran. Clearly Beyoncé has enough juice for everyone to partake.
9). Happy Thiccsgiving: Mrs. Carter is giving us her festive Bey side and we like it! Just in the nick of holiday time, Beyoncé dropped some holiday merch that plays fun with words, that's truly jolly with a little tongue and cheek.
10). Soon, Future or Never? Lastly, could there be a duet album truly in our future from Bey and Jay? As Jay-Z revealed in his recent T Magazine interview there is actually an album of songs that both Beyoncé and Jay-Z have recorded together. Would they still drop it at some point as rumors continue to swirl and speculate? This has been in talks for years, we just don’t know; either, way it’s nice to know when good rumors are true and that it indeed does exist. All we can do now is wait to see if any inkling of vibes drip out before the years out (wouldn’t that be a real musical gift from the both of them? To stop the world as the clock strikes midnight of 2018 and they drop a joint album?
Even in the form of an EP. Nevertheless, always expect the unexpected with Beyoncé, this is why she remains reigning Queen of our pop culture and music domain. WORLD STOP… CARRY ON.
11). Special Addition: Beyoncé rounded out Gallup polls Most Admired Woman of 2017 coming in at eighth place (sharing the ranking with Melania Trump for 2017) while Hillary Clinton tops it for the 16th consecutive time. Let's also take note that there are five women of color on this list (Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Beyoncé is the only entertainer on the list which says a lot about her impact and how admiration people have for her.
Who's the Most Admired Man of 2017, did you have to guess? Former President Barack Obama, of course (insert the song "Baby Come Back" here 😩😭).
