Beyonce once again dazzles at Essence Fest

by Keith Spera, Music writer, The Times-Picayune

Late in Beyonce's closing set Friday at the Essence Music Festival, a montage of YouTube clips showed ordinary people mimicking her "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" black leotard video.


Beyonce herself soon appeared and demonstrated that, compared to mere mortals - and most of her pop world peers -- she inhabits an entirely different plane of existence. God bless Britney Spears, but she cannot hold a candle to Beyonce Knowles.

Inside a sold-out Superdome -- reportedly the largest single-night attendance in Essence history -- Beyonce lived up to the legend of her stellar 2007 Essence performance.


Keith I. Marszalek / NOLA.comOn an enormous video screen backdrop -- surely it set a new standard for clarity relative to size -- the 10-foot-tall Beyonce appeared three-dimensional.

Maybe it was the screen. Or maybe it was the charisma.

Her dancing was crisp, clean and perfectly choreographed, even if there was less of it than in '07. She sang -- actually sang. When she broke character, she came across as personable and genuine. And she orchestrated a simple, classy and devastating tribute to Michael Jackson.

The logistics of coordinating multiple acts on one Essence stage meant that Beyonce could not deploy the full production from her current "I Am...Tour." She did not, for instance, "fly" to a remote secondary stage. And her hour-and-a-half Essence set was a truncated version of her usual show; cuts included a Destiny's Child medley.

Her solo catalog was ample enough. And even without her full complement of bells and whistles, Beyonce fronted a jaw-dropping spectacle, the sort of spectacle for which superlatives are reserved.

She presented herself with "Crazy in Love." As in 2007, an entirely female band backed her; males were relegated to her dance troupe. The musicians -- including three percussionists, three horns, and three backing vocalists dubbed "the Mamas" -- navigated the taut arrangements of "Naughty Girl," "Freakum Dress" and "Get Me Bodied."

Against scenes of crashing waves and sunbeams, she stood atop a Plexiglass staircase in a long white robe and sang "Smash Into You." She wrapped herself in Sarah McLachlan's lovely "Angel." In the evening's vocal highlight, she absolutely tore up "Ave Maria" with clarion sustained notes and passion to burn.


Keith I. Marszalek / NOLA.comIn the guise of alter-ego Sasha Fierce, she wore an armored leather bustier and mirrored aviator shades, grabbed her crotch on "If I Were a Boy" and wailed Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" -- but refrained from finishing the explicit "do you think of me when you ..." lyric on the microphone.

Via video, she morphed from robot to leopard; the flesh-and-blood Beyonce subsequently presided over the sparse club beat of "Diva" ("the female version of a hustla"). Vintage video of a precocious grade-school Beyonce butted up against the future-shock "Radio," as gold robot mimes attended two suitcase-sized boomboxes.

"Irreplaceable" opened as an acoustic sing-a-long. Bassist Debbie "Divinity" Walker followed with a five-string bass solo that touched on Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" and "Billie Jean."

Beyonce returned in an evening gown to sing Etta James' "At Last" as scenes from the Civil Rights Movement segued to President Barack Obama's inauguration. She turned over much of "Listen," from the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack, to the audience. Few seemed to know the lyrics; if the show contained a weak moment, "Listen" was it.

For the final "Halo," the woman of the evening ventured into the photographers' pit in front of the stage. Without missing a note, she pressed the flesh along the barricades in what seemed like a farewell gesture.

But no.

As she arrived back on stage, the big screen once again showed her as a 5-year-old. This time, baby Beyonce excitedly announced she was headed to a Michael Jackson concert.

"That night I saw my hero perform," the all-grown-up Beyonce recalled. "When I saw Michael Jackson hit the stage, that's when I decided who I wanted to be. There will only be one Michael Jackson. Long live the king."

A single image of Jackson in his prime - fedora pulled low, grimacing, in mid-step - filled the screen. And Beyonce addressed the remainder of "Halo" to him: "Michael, I can see your halo...I can feel your halo/Pray it won't fade away."

She ended the stunning tribute on her knees. In the audience, tears flowed.

There is little danger that Jackson will recede from memory. Neither will
Beyonce.

*THATS WHY WE CALL HER THE QUEEN*

Beyoncé wants to star in 'Sister Act' remake

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Beyoncé Knowles wants to star in "Sister Act."


The "Single Ladies" singer is so desperate to dress up as a nun for a remake of the 1992 movie, which was recently turned into a sell-out musical in London's West End theatre district, she is begging Disney bosses to take up the project.


Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reports, "Beyoncé has asked her representatives to persuade Disney to develop the show into a film vehicle for her.


"If this comes to pass, she would take on, in musical form, the part Whoopi Goldberg created in the 1992 "Sister Act" film, although the stage version moves the action from the West Coast to Philadelphia."


The 27-year-old beauty recently took a break from her U.K. "I Am Sasha Fierce tour" to watch the show at the London Palladium theater.


If the movie project goes ahead, Beyoncé will play sexy singer Deloris Van Cartier, the role previously portrayed by Goldberg, who is forced to dress up as a nun while fleeing a group of gangsters.


Beyoncé is also in talks about releasing "Take Me To Heaven," one of the musical's well-known hits.


Filming will not start until after 2011, following the musical's move to Broadway in late 2010.


U.S. actress Patina Miller is currently playing the lead character in the West End musical, which was co-produced by


*THATS A GOOD LOOK BEY*

*She's Back* Beyonce, Richie among Essence performers

NEW ORLEANS — The celebration of black music and culture at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans will provide comfort to artists and fans alike after a tough week following Michael Jackson’s death.

Singer Lionel Richie, a longtime friend of the pop superstar and the festival’s headliner, says performing at Essence will give him and others a chance to regroup.

“We’ll celebrate his life and come together as a family down there,” Richie said. “It’s New Orleans. The spirit of what the music business is all about is there. It really is to me one of those places that’s like visiting my foundation.”

The festival, which began in 1995 to celebrate the birthday of Essence Magazine, begins Friday and runs through Sunday. It will include a tribute to Jackson, as well as performances by Beyonce, John Legend, Ne-Yo, Anita Baker and others.

Richie, 60, collaborated with Jackson in 1985 and wrote what became one of the fastest-selling singles ever — “We Are the World” — a song produced to raise money for victims of the Ethiopian famine.


Beyonce has Headline and perform at the Essence Music Festival more then any artist.

Beyonce announces Belfast dates *DIVA*

Beyonce has announced new concert dates less than a month after a series of sold-out concerts. Skip related content
Fans who missed the international pop star earlier this summer will get a second chance to see her perform in Dublin and Belfast at the end of November. Promoters said the R&B singer's return was due to unprecedented demand. In May and June the 27-year-old sold out six nights, selling more than 80,000 tickets on the island.

Two extra dates have been added for November 22 at Dublin's O2 and for November 24 at Belfast's Odyssey Arena.

All hail the Queen ‘B’

Beyoncé needs no introduction. Houston’s brightest star — yeah, I said it — has broken beyond the bubble of pop divadom and soared into global consciousness.

If that sounds like an exaggeration, consider this — the former Destiny’s Child singer was listed fourth on Forbes’ list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the world and third on its list of top-grossing musicians (more than $87 million from 2008-09).

Ultimately, however, loving Beyoncé isn’t about numbers. In honor of her hometown concert Saturday, here are 10 reasons why she’ll always be our Queen B:

1. She sings live: Beyoncé does not rely on recorded vocals to protect her pop-star shimmer. No Britney business here, thank you very much. The Houston diva gives crowds her real voice, flaws and all. Not that there are many. At its frequent best, Beyoncé’s voice is strong, clear and intense, able to project vulnerable emotion (Broken-Hearted Girl) or lioness pride (Diva). Aside from an echo effect that’s sometimes added, you’re getting the natural B.

2. She’s bootylicious: Real women, so the saying goes, have curves. Beyoncé celebrates hers, strutting her physical assets in outfits that often enhance her hourglass figure. In her world, hips are heavenly and backsides are beautiful. Check her performance at the recent BET Awards — a shapely silhouette swaying along to the music.

3. She's a good girl: Barring any unexpected life twists, you’ll probably never, ever find our girl B splashed across the cover of a tabloid for bratty behavior or unsavory actions. We’re not saying she’s perfect, but Beyoncé, perhaps more than any other superstar, exudes class and grace. Witness her reaction — or nonreaction — to jealous remarks from grande dames Aretha Franklin (who balked when Beyoncé referred to Tina Turner as “the queen” during the 2008 Grammys) and Etta James (who threw a diva-fit when Beyoncé was asked to sing At Last at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball).

4. Her HTown accent: She may not get home as much as she used to, but every time Beyoncé speaks, it’s pure Houston. The ever-so-slight twang. The way she trails off at the end of words. The running-together of words and syllables. If you’re from these parts, it’s comforting, familiar and a bit of a kick.

5. She's, uh, gorgeous: This one’s a no-brainer. And for current proof, look up B’s recent video for Broken-Hearted Girl. Those black-and-white closeups in the car? Jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

6. Irreplaceable: Beyoncé’s musical output, from Destiny’s Child to today, has always been grade-A pop stuff. But once she uttered, “To the left, to the left,” things changed. That wistful, willful kiss-off anthem solidified her status as one of this generation’s most vibrant pop voices. And I won’t soon forget the sight and sound of more than 20,000 fans chanting the lyrics alongside their diva, mussed hair and sweaty face, at the end of her 2007 concert.

7. She sings (well) en espanol: Let’s be honest. There was no need for Beyoncé to record in Spanish. She’s already a cross-cultural superstar. But the Irreemplazable EP was issued in 2007, featuring Spanish-language takes on Irreplaceable, Beautiful Liar and Listen (from Dreamgirls). It also featured Amor Gitano, a steamy duet with ranchera singer Alejandro Fernandez. But the real news was Beyoncé’s near-flawless handling of the language. She’ll show it off again on another Spanish-language disc later this year, which will include Si yo fuera un chico (If I Were a Boy).

8. The Single Ladies dance: Beyoncé’s sexy swagger of a dance — and first look at her Sasha Fierce alter ego — became a bona fide pop-culture phenomenon. The Bob Fosse-inspired video in turn prompted countless imitators, including YouTube sensation Shane Mercado, Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg (via Saturday Night Live) and, most recently, Joe Jonas.

9. Resentment: Doubters of Beyoncé’s immense talent need only give one listen to this track from 2006’s B’Day. It’s a stunner — a visceral, emotional showcase that casts Beyoncé as a scorned, sorrowful woman. You can almost feel the pain in her delivery.

10. That metal glove: Silly? Maybe. But be honest — you’d wear it if you could pull it off. It’s pretty (Sasha) fierce

Beyonce In Miami

Beyonce helps fan 'put a ring on it'

Beyonce helped a male fan in Florida make his wedding proposal one to remember on Monday when she stopped her concert halfway through the show and let him pop the question to his stunned girlfriend.

The R&B superstar took to the stage at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise as part of her worldwide I Am... tour, just 24 hours after taking home two prizes at the BET Awards on Sunday.

And Beyonce had a special surprise planned for one concert-goer when she halted her performance of hit song 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)' and handed over the microphone to a man named Lindell so he could make his romantic gesture.

She told the audience, "I'm not sure if production knows about this, but Lindell has something he wants to sing."

Taking the microphone, he said, "Beyonce, you told me if I like it, I need to put a ring on it," before getting down on bended knee and presenting his girlfriend with a diamond ring in front of the 20,000-strong crowd.

Stunned speechless, his belle accepted his proposal with a nod and sealed their engagement with a hug and a kiss as the audience cheered them on, reports RadarOnline.com.

*How Cute!!!!*

A LIE PUT TOO REST ONCE AGAIN *HAHAHA*

Beyonce proved there were no hard feelings between herself and singer LeToya Luckett when she "went out of her way" to greet her former Destiny's Child bandmate backstage at the BET Awards on Sunday night.

Rumors of a rift have been rife since Luckett and pal LaTavia Roberson were kicked out of the girl band they co-founded with Beyonce and Kelly Rowland in 2000.

The rejected pair subsequently filed suit against the group's manager, Beyonce's dad Mathew Knowles, accusing him of a breach of partnership; the matter was settled out of court.

Reports of an ongoing feud continued to circulate after the BET Awards on Sunday, and Beyonce was forced to deny claims her management team had demanded event bosses ban Luckett from singing at the ceremony in Los Angeles if they wanted the Crazy In Love star to perform.

Luckett has admitted the pop diva pair's past differences are now firmly behind them and reveals they found time for a brief catch-up backstage at the awards show.

She says, "We did get a chance to see each other backstage and it was really cool. I hadn't seen her in a while. She went out of her way to get around security to basically say, 'Hey girl.' It was cool."

And Luckett, who has since launched a solo career, insists she would love to reunite with her childhood pal in the studio.

She adds, "I would love to do a song with B. She's just an amazing person and we already know how talented she is."

Note to HATERS

Dear Haters,

I thought i said Beyonce Fans come here but, I see you haters can't help yourself like always, all eyes on Beyonce!!!!!! But I don't have time for the childish stuff by me saying this I will BLOCK you your comments and all will be removed lol!!!! So knock yourself out today cuz trust you won't be doing soon Laugh at that lol!!


Love SUPERIOR!!!!

p.s keep checking and see what Beyonce is up too Next Cuz I know you will ROTFLMBO!!! XOXOXO

LETOYA SPEAKS ON CHILDHOOD FRIEND BEYONCE *awww*

Only half of beyonce's achievements *Solo*

First African-American female and second overall female to win the "Songwriter of the Year" award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Pop Music Awards (2001).
First and only woman to have a single and album simultaneously topping the main charts in both the U.S. and the UK (2003).
Tied for most Grammy Awards won in a single night by a female artist (five in 2004).
Biggest jump in Billboard history with "Beautiful Liar" (from number ninety-four to number three).
Longest stay at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 within a year for a female ever (seventeen weeks with "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy").
Handled twice the record of most weeks spent at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in a single year by a female artist (seventeen weeks in 2003 and eight weeks in 2006).
First non-athlete, non-model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and also the second African-American (the first being Tyra Banks) to do so (2007).
Ranked number one on AskMen.com 's list of Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2007, voted by 8.5 million men.[24]
Tied for third most successful song on the Billboard Hot 100 by a solo female artist (Irreplaceable).
Irreplaceable is the first song to top twelve Billboard charts simultaneously (December 30, 2006).
First artist to have a number-one single ("Check on It"), a number-one film (The Pink Panther), and win a Grammy Award in the same week (February 2006).
First female artist to have a number-one single single and win a Grammy Awards in the same week twice ("Check on It" and "Irreplaceable", consecutively).
Second artist to have two songs in the same year passing the two hundred-million audience mark ("Irreplaceable" and "Check on It" in 2006).
Is the singer with the biggest film debut ever with Austin Powers in Goldmember when it grossed $213,307,889 in America alone.
Most number-ones by lead female artist in a decade ( "Crazy In Love" , "Baby Boy" ,"Check on It" , "Irreplaceable" & "Single Ladies").
Female artist with the most cumlative weeks at number one (37 weeks) this decade ( "Crazy in Love" 8 weeks , "Baby Boy" 9 weeks , "Check on It" 5 weeks , "Irreplaceable" 10 weeks & "Single Ladies" 5 weeks.
Female artist attained the most to five hits and the most top tens on the Hot 100 this decade with twelve.
First Female to ever be awarded the International Artist Award at the American Music Awards (2007).
Honored the Legend award for Outstanding Contribution To The Arts at the World Music Awards (2008).
Dangerously in Love was listed as one of the top 200 Definitive albums in music history by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was one of a few artist of her generation to be mentioned on the list.
Knowles is also one of a few African American females to have had three or more Golden Glode nominations.
Lead singer of the biggest selling female group of all time Destiny's Child.

What Starz Had said about Beyonce on Twitter

PrincessSuperCAbout to watch the beyonce show. Fun times! Yall know she goes hard and she be saangin!:) gotta loves a good show! U betta work B

BETAwardsMe and Keri Hilson decided to sit in on Beyonce's rehearsal....we both love her to DEATH!!!


SongzYuuupBeyonce looks amazing...
6:01 PM Jun 28th from UberTwitter


nachojohnnyRT @questlove: damn. it takes balls to sing "Ava Maria" 10 mins after "Turn My Swag On" school these ignant negros B i see you!
6:09 PM Jun 28th from UberTwitter


KELLY__ROWLAND@angiebeyince, my MaMa T and B look FAB at the BET Awards!!!
6:37 PM Jun 28th from TwitterBerry



DawnRichardbeyonce...amazing...vocally soothing and refreshing
7:07 PM Jun 28th from mobile web



KELLY__ROWLANDB's performance was BEAUTIFUL! Beautifully Classic!
7:14 PM Jun 28th from TwitterBerry



SongzYuuupJay just told me "You Killt DOA" & Beyonce said "I Love Ego"
10:22 PM Jun 28th from UberTwitter


letoyaluckettIt was good 2c "Bey" & fam backstage @BET. Haven't seen her in a minute. Funny how God works things out :0)
11:42 PM Jun 28th from TwitterFon


TiaMowryAlicia, Jay-Z, Beyonce, CLASSY! Loves them;)
8:54 AM Jun 29th from web

lilduvalBeyonce been singing & dancing for a hour now & still sounds better than 90% of ur favorite singers. She is da truth
about 19 hours ago from TwitterFon


lilduvalBeyonce is a perfect example of what I was talking bout this morning she's natural gifted.
about 17 hours ago from TwitterFon


lilduvalYall might think I'm wrong but beyonce is the closest this generation gon get 2 Michael Jackson.
about 17 hours ago from TwitterFon


katyperry Beyonce is a living legend, this is true. I might have seen one of the best shows I ever saw tonight. Bitch can back it up!!!3:15 PM Jun 8th from txt

Beyonce WINS 2 BET Awards

Beyonce wins 2 Bet Awards!!!!!! Best R&B Female Artist & Video Of the Year "Single Ladies" *Hi Haters*

BEYONCE MESSAGE TO HER FANS!!!

Icon Fierce.

Leagendary supermodel Veroncia Webb, the first African-American to have a major cosmetics contract, is channeling her inerr Sasha Fierce for Love Magazine... *Can we say Icon!!*

Sweet Dreams Video Premiere

YEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ "SWEET DREAMS" VIDEO WILL PREMIERE ON JULY 9th ON MSN.STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS!!!!!! *OMG*