Bounce music is described as a "re-birth of hip-hip" to keep the genre alive and to bring new ideas. The music is particularly popular in New Orleans from a cultural perspective. The songs are usually composed of a series of beats and noises in a loop, to which a person will rap over. It's frequently played in clubs in New Orleans and is viewed as a fun genre of music in which people express themselves through dance. People often say that it unites people, regardless of their background. Bounce is largely performed and produced by a large number of homosexual artists and is used as a celebration of the LGBT community. The new take on the genre of hip-hop empowers the community as the music often had a history of homophobia, but the reinvention of the music, along with the dance, is synonymous, sexual and often flamboyant.
Beyonce makes a lot of references to the genre of music in her music video for a song called Formation, which was the lead single from her album, Lemonade in February 2016. Intertextual references are particularly made towards a documentary made about bounce music, titled "That B.E.A.T", in which actually footage from film was used. This sparked a lot of controversy due to the documentary being made by smaller producers and about alternative culture. But, Beyonce's representative stated that they had in fact gotten permission from the production company and credited the filmmakers accordingly.
In addition to this, bounce music dance moves are also referenced throughout the video in the routines Beyonce performs. This could connote that Beyonce is making an attempt to stray away from mainstream and turning towards a move alternative route. This is extremely significant because it is an attempt for Beyonce to change her image, particularly because this video is unlike any other that she had done before.
Furthermore, the reference to bounce music could also be a way of Beyonce expressing her feels towards the LGBT community, because of where bounce music originated from. The use of the genre's dance moves is a way of the artist telling the LGBT community that they are accepted and welcomed, especially because she is using her large and extremely influential platform to get this message across. Moreover, she has taken a genre of music that isn't as well known around the world, but is very popular in New Orleans, which is part of her heritage. Therefore, her reference could also be seen as a way of paying homage to her heritage and a way of expressing her pride towards it.
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