Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter – a.k.a. Queen B a.k.a. Mrs. Carter a.k.a. Sasha Fierce a.k.a. just plain old Beyoncé – is not someone you would classically define as being a ‘rockstar’. I’m going to refrain from breaking out any Oxford definitions here, as we can all estimate a similar response to the question of ‘what exactly is a rockstar?’ First and foremost, they are, plainly put, a rock musician; secondly, they are an individual that exhibits great individuality, be it in their music, their style, their personality and/or their behaviour; and thirdly, they are an individual that is fanatically admired – or, at least, known to some degree – on an oftentimes global scale.
Going off of those criteria, the obvious candidates that spring to mind are David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Debbie Harry, Kurt Cobain, Kim Gordon, etc., all iconic in their own right. But to unite all of these people under the banner of ‘rockstar’ is, strictly speaking, false. Kim Gordon’s ‘rock’ is not Mick Jagger’s; Kurt Cobain’s is not Debbie Harry’s; heck, David Bowie has changed and shifted his styles so much over the past four decades that ‘rock’ as it is traditionally understood is something he has only just returned to, and even then the classic/anthemic rock style of it was accepted as a variation of modern indie rock and proffered with a James Murphy remix. Perhaps it is only nitpicking, but variations on ‘rock’ have not prevented these individuals as being celebrated as ‘rock’-stars. And whilst all may fall under a broad umbrella of what ‘rock’ is, definitions of ‘rock’ have forever shifted with its popularity: blues-roots gave way to rock and roll; rock and roll to glam-rock; glam-rock to rock electronica; to post-punk; to grunge; to pop-punk, indie, alternative… And now, undeniably, there lies pop. Pop is the ‘rock’ of the Millennial generation, and rap will be the ‘rock’ of Generation Z; and it is here, in 2015, that we find our greatest living rockstars.
What style of music is more popular now than Pop? Metal, of course, but metal and hard rock does not share the ubiquity of pop music. Throughout the past century, rock and its derivations have always enjoyed prominence in the public eye, and whilst we can still cling onto Noel Gallagher, Alex Turner, Damon Albarn and Jack White, it is just no longer feasible to say that these are the defining icons of a new generation. Our idols are now Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, One Direction, Kanye West, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and, yes, Beyoncé. I’ve never been one to advocate ‘look at the charts’ as an appropriate response to anything, but the consequence is plain to see: who enjoys more worldwide ubiquity, more zealous celebration than Taylor Swift, or Beyoncé? Beyoncé is an inspiration the world over, delivering her brand of positive, powerful feminism to women and girls across the globe, and providing a spotlight on women as strong, powerful individuals that a male-dominated music industry still continues to severely neglect.
Whether in Destiny’s Child or as a solo artist, her music has always encouraged power, exuded authority, and carried the sheer direct and vociferous heft that has helped to enlighten and change a generation for the better. Though again perhaps not satisfying the classical criteria for ‘rockstar’ – a socio-political conscience and activist standpoint is not rewarded as much as general fame (or infamy) perhaps is – Beyoncé has done more for the generation she represents than many bastions of ‘rock’ eminence ever did, and I include the similarly forward-thinking and modernist likes of Kanye West and Nicki Minaj in this equation too. She is individualistic; she has presence; she is one of the leading cultural influences in the world today; and she is, without a doubt, part of the same pantheon as Debbie Harry, as Kim Gordon, Patti Smith, Kathleen Hanna, PJ Harvey, Kate Bush, Bjork – powerful, magnanimous rockstars in their own rights.
Is Beyoncé the greatest rockstar to have ever lived? Perhaps not. But as an icon of our time, she excels like no other. Having once been a star – despite what the recent trend of re-issues, reunions and revivals might tell you otherwise – doesn’t mean you still are, and whilst the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Who, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, etc., etc. all may have withered, Queen B still marches on. She is our rock goddess, and she has got a long reign ahead of her yet.
Words by Thomas Grantham