Beyoncé has shared insights into her decision to move away from creating music videos in a recent interview with GQ magazine. Known for her iconic visuals, from her playful bubblegum scenes in “Crazy In Love” to the striking imagery in “Hold Up,” she has left fans puzzled after her last two albums, “Renaissance” and “Cowboy Carter,” were released without accompanying videos.
In the interview, Beyoncé explained that she wants listeners to focus on the music itself rather than the visuals. “During a time where all we see is visuals, that the world can focus on the voice,” she stated. She emphasized the importance of allowing her recent work to stand on its own, highlighting the rich history and instrumentation that her music possesses and its need for space to breathe. She mentioned that for “Renaissance,” the live concert experience took precedence over traditional music videos. The album, crafted during the pandemic, was meant to offer a sense of escape and community, with the tour serving as a visual experience through the engagement of fans worldwide.
Beyoncé’s conversation with GQ marks one of her first extensive interviews in nearly a decade, as she has mainly opted for more personal essays or direct communication with fans via social media since becoming less available to the press around 2013-2014. During the interview, she also discussed her efforts to protect her family’s privacy and personal boundaries amidst fame.
As the interview was published, Beyoncé was revealed to have not received any nominations from the Country Music Awards for her album “Cowboy Carter,” despite it achieving historic milestones. Although she had not addressed the snub directly during the interview, her father, Matthew Knowles, criticized the awards for overlooking her work, suggesting that racial bias may still influence voting in the music industry.
This dialogue showcases Beyoncé’s evolving approach to her artistry and her desire to prioritize the depth of her music while navigating the complexities of fame and personal life.