This week on the show, we’re thinking about what it means to celebrate freedom in gender identity. And what better soundtrack to accompany our episode Journeys Through Gender than Beyoncé’s newest album “Renaissance.” From top to bottom, it's an explicit, exhilarating, house-infused album filled with anthems that honor and celebrate the resilience of the Black LGBTQ+ community. It incorporates various genres pioneered by Black queer people, including the subculture of ballroom and vogueing.
The lead single “Break My Soul” features a sampling of Big Freedia’s “Explode.” Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, is known for popularizing the booty-shaking genre of New Orleans Bounce. Her bold delivery and gender-bending exuberance gives us permission to release whatever holds us back. Freedia told Charles Monroe-Kane, “You can go back to your stressing, your problems, but when you’re into your music and into your dance, it gives you the opportunity to let all of that [stuff] go away for a moment.” Together, Big Freedia and Beyoncé work to uplift the listener and help us find “a new salvation.”
Another song worth highlighting is the chill self-love anthem “Cozy.” Over a groovy bassline and deep house beat, Beyoncé sings that she’s “cozy with who I am, comfortable in my skin.” The song is layered with references to Chicago house music and features ad-libs from trans actor and activist TS Madison. The lyrics to the song also paint a picture of the Progress Pride Flag, designed by nonbinary artist Daniel Quasar.
This is Beyoncé’s love letter to her late gay uncle Jonny and to “all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long.” It is a gift of joy and freedom to be ourselves and I am so thankful to be sweating out to it this summer.
–Angelo