Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few days, you'll know that our cover star Beyoncé dropped her visual album 'Lemonade' on Saturday night.
Besides the enviable style moments and Queen B's knockout vocals, we love that the album also pays tribute to some very inspirational black women.
Lemonade is a celebration of these power women, and for that, we salute you, Bey.
Here's who made it into Beyoncé's sisterhood. They slay, ok.
Amandla Stenberg
Amandla Stenberg, best known for her portrayal of Rue in The Hunger Games, is an American actress who has been applauded for her comments on the struggles faced by black, bisexual women. In a series of snapchats for Teen Vogue, in which the 17 year old came out as bisexual herself, Stenberg brought to light the awkwardness women can feel, when openly embracing their identity. “It’s deeply bruising to fight against your identity and to hold yourselves into shapes that you just shouldn’t be in. As someone who identifies as a black bisexual woman, I've been through it and it hurts and it’s awkward and it’s uncomfortable.” In 2015, she was named “Feminist of the Year” by the Ms. Foundation for Women.
Warsan Shire
Warsan Shire is a Somali-British poet, who was named as the first Young Poet Laureate of London in 2014, at the age of 25. Born in Kenya and raised in the UK, Shire’s poetry deals with issues of belonging and identity, as well as what it means to be a woman. Though not in the album personally, Lemonade features quotes from Shire’s book, “Teaching My Mother How To Give Birth,” as well as her poem “For Women Who Are Difficult To Love.” With such empowering phrases as “You are terrifying/And strange and beautiful/Something not everyone knows how to love” it’s not hard to see why.
Zendaya Coleman
Despite being just 19, Disney actress and style icon Zendaya Coleman has already established herself as a force to be reckoned with. After receiving backlash for wearing her hair in dreadlocks at the 2015 Oscars, Zendaya took to Instagram to offer an expert hit-back, calling for an end to cultural criticism. “There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair. My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough.” She then launched her own Barbie doll, featuring the same Oscars look. A powerful message indeed, from a powerful young woman.
Ibeyi
Band of the moment Ibeyi is made up of French-Cuban twin sisters Naomi and Lisa-Kiande Diaz. Daughters of the late Cuban percussionist Anga Diaz, the duo’s music pays homage to their Cuban heritage, mixing modern pop, hip-hop and electronic influences with the more traditional sounds of their father’s Yoruba culture, one of the largest African ethnic groups south of the Sahara Desert. Singing in French, English, Spanish and Yoruban, Ibeyi presents a celebration of multiculturalism and diversity. They rocked at this year’s Coachella Festival.
Chloe and Halle Bailey
Another impressive duo to feature in Beyonce’s Lemonade are sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey. After posting videos of themselves singing covers on Youtube, most famously Beyonce’s "Pretty Hurts," the teens went on to sign a huge record contract, with none other than Queen B herself. With over 660,000 subscribers on Youtube, powerhouse vocals, and an unlimited amount of sass, it’s easy to see why they’ve been given Beyonce’s backing. They certainly have ours!
Quvenzhane Wallis
Though only a mere twelve years of age, actress Quvenzhane Wallis has already racked up an impressive list of achievements. Following her portrayal of Hushpuppy in the 2012 film, "Beasts of the Southern Wild," Wallis became the youngest ever Academy Award nominee for Best Actress, at the age of just nine. She has since gone on to star alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Brad Pitt in "12 Years A Slave," and in 2014, was cast as the title character in the film adaptation of "Annie," a role which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. The actress has clearly earned her place in Beyonce’s sisterhood.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams, ranked Number One in women’s singles tennis, has earned a reputation that extends far beyond her monumental achievements in the sporting world. The Grand Slam winner has been celebrated for her strong and athletic female frame, being seen as an important role model for younger women. She has devoted much of her time to charity work through the Serena Williams Foundation, and in 2015, became the first black female athlete to have a picture by herself on the cover of Vogue. Serena is a woman who slays both on and off the court.
Michaela DePrince
Michaela DePrince is a woman who has overcome all odds in order to achieve her dream. Before becoming a professional ballerina for the Dutch National Ballet, the only dancer of African origin in the company, DePrince faced life as an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone. Her childhood was difficult, having been bullied for her vitiligo, a condition that causes white patches to appear on the skin. Her inspiring story has been told in her memoir “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina.”
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