Beyoncé Practices Singing Until Her Feet Bleed, Turns National Anthem Into Self-Serving Stunt

31 Jan 2013 9 Comments

by Ed Cyphers in Best of the Blog, General Posts Tags: ,

super bowlRolling Stone reports:

Beyoncé Sings National Anthem Live at Super Bowl Press Conference

‘Any questions?’ pop star says with a laugh

Beyoncé opened a Super Bowl press  conference on Thursday afternoon in New Orleans with a rousing rendition of the  national anthem – and this time it was definitely live. After a rapturous round  of applause by the media in attendance, the singer took questions about her upcoming Super Bowl gig as well as her controversial  lip-syncing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at President Obama’s second inauguration last week.

“I am a perfectionist. One thing about me, I practice until my feet bleed, and I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra,” Beyoncé said. “It was a live television show and a very, very important, emotional show for me – one of  my proudest moments. Due to the weather, due to the delay, due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable taking a risk. It was about my president and the inauguration, and I did not want to take away from that. I decided to go  with a pre-recorded track, which is very common in the music industry. And I am  very proud of my performance.”

Beyoncé added that  she will be “absolutely singing live” at her Super Bowl performance this coming Sunday. “I am well rehearsed. I will absolutely be singing live. This is what I was born to do.” 

It’s bad enough that our National Anthem is turned into an episode of The Voice on a regular basis–merely seen as a chance for singers to showcase their abilities of song embellishment. But here it was actually used merely to make a point–to give the media the finger in reaction to criticism the singer received for her previous lip-synched performance.

I guess the song really isn’t as sacred as I grew up believing. Because contrary to its lyrics, which suggest it’s a song about pride in the brave, indomitable American spirit, it’s usually rendered with all the faux agony and ecstasy of a breakup song or Marvin Gaye seduction anthem.

If we do need a new National Anthem, as some suggest, it’s because we need to start from scratch. We’ve added too many superfluous spangles to the current one.

Yes, I have a question, Beyoncé: What’s up with rehearsal causing bleeding feet? Does that happen when you sing with too much sole?

Beyoncé: Single Ladies–Benny Hill Version

20 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in On a Lighter Note Tags: ,

 

Jay-Z and Beyoncé Lose Bid to Trademark Daughter’s Name

23 Oct 2012 Leave a comment

by Ed Cyphers in General Posts Tags: ,

Jay-Z holds Blue Ivy, his daughter with Beyoncé

(Source: The Guardian)

Jay-Z and Beyoncé have lost a bid to trademark the name of their daughter, Blue Ivy. The musicians’ petition was denied by the US patent and trademark office, permitting an American wedding planner to continue using the name.

“Money doesn’t buy everything,” Veronica Alexander told Rolling Stone. Until recently, Alexander had been in danger of losing the rights to the name of her own business: although Blue Ivy Events was founded in 2009, Jay-Z and Beyoncé were seeking to reserve the phrase “Blue Ivy” as a brand name for their own line of baby products. The couple’s first daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, was born on 7 January 2012.

Alexander responded to Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s trademark claim by submitting her own application. The trademark office has now authorised her to continue using the Blue Ivy name for her events company, while the hip-hop power couple can allegedly use the name for other kinds of businesses. “If this [hadn’t worked], I’d go after both of them,” Alexander said. “There’s no way by way of being a celebrity they should have entitlement [to the name]. Shame on them.”

Alexander recalled being surprised when she learned about the name of the little girl: “Nobody names their daughter Blue Ivy,” she said. But their decision – and the controversy – has been good for her business. Besides, should the couple be unsatisfied, the 32-year-old told the Telegraph there’s an easy solution. “If Beyoncé and Jay-Z want to buy me out,” she said, “I’d welcome that.”

I think the only decent thing to do here is for all of us fans to start fundraising on behalf of this unfortunate couple, as it’s clear another way must be found to help support this poor child.

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