Watch Beyonce's Surprise New Video 'Formation' + FREE Download

Welp, she did it again! 

The BeyHive is all a buzz about the video-dropping surprise, AND FREE download that Bey has bestowed upon them. 

You don't have to be a Beyonce fan to see the artistry, and messages this video features. 

There are murmurs about whether or not Bey is transitioning into activism. We don't know this for sure, but what we can say, is with the increase of American on American violence it would be fitting that an entertainer of this magnitude steps up...to the "lectern".

But, for now, Beyonce throws up a sign...NO not the diamond this time, but her middle finger (figuratively, & literally) to her haters.  The lyrics are clear; she's proud of who she is, where she came from, and what she's earned, through hard work. She owns it and won't apologize for it.

While the lyrics and video seem to parallel only at times, we decided that in order to appreciate the complete composition, the song MUST be accompanied by the visual.  Together, they're a  juxtaposition of edgy urbanesque lyrics, with influences of historical, southern, cultural, and modern-day imagery.  

Interesting note:  Watch the video once with sound, then again without.  Besides the volume, what's different?  

We found that the message the video conveys is more clear and powerful with the sound off.  With the sound on, there's the added layer of Beyonce communicating, primarily,  to her haters.  The song is not that great, but the contrasts that are infused makes the concept brilliant, and the piece, as a whole, a work of art. 

Click the images below and watch for yourself.  Remember to get your free music too! 

Click Middle Finger Bey to watch 'Formation' (Dirty)

Click Blue-Ivy's image to watch 'Formation' (Clean)

Click Bey in White for FREE Download

By T. James-Sykes

Confusion: Diary of a Confused Vampire

Confusion: Diary of a Confused Vampire Poster

As promised, presenting Confusion: Diary of a Confused Vampire.

Get your popcorn, and enjoy!



Click here, for information about the inspiration behind this short, independant, vampire film.

For more in the Confusion series, visit them, here, on Facebook.

By T. James-Sykes

Confusion: Diary of a Confused Vampire - Pictures + Q&A Session

When we still don't see representation of black film makers (or ANY of color) in Hollywood, Arkier K. Burton a.k.a. Prince Onyx apologetically has control of his destiny.   While it seems like only the cream of the crop makes it there, Tinsel Town misses the mark, overlooking our best kept secrets, our not so hidden, hidden treasures, our jewels, our unsungs...

While these talents deserve the biggest spotlight we can find, they also deserve to be able to have full creative control to ART.  Independence is good for the soul, and it allows one to keep his/hers.  ;-)  

Check out this video to get some insight on Prince Onyx's vision and inspiration for creating this film.  Subscribe here, to be among the first to watch Diary of a Confused Vampire, for free, when it airs in January 2016!
  




Help support PART II of the vision.  

Watch Confusion: Diary of a Confused Vampire Here. **post updated 2/22/17

By T. James-Sykes

An Interview with Mathew Knowles - Parenting, Branding, & Success!

Bey & Her Dad Behind the Scenes During the Formation Tour

The Dad behind the Mega-Star:  Mathew Knowles has an enlightening conversation with Aisha Adams of Nappy Natural Girl, about parenting, success, and the importance of branding; get these gems:

Daddy & Daughter Back in the Day

Mathew & Beyonce at the Grammy's

Mathew & Beyonce Knowles

By T. James-Sykes

No Focus - Focus

I had the pleasure of taking my parents to see this movie for my Dad's birthday; he really wanted to see it.

I admit the initial promos turned me off.  Nicky (Will Smith), who turns out to be a third generation spy, is mezmorized by some woman descending a staircase.  It made no sense and introduced a boring story line.  Does anyone care about this; isn't T.V. full of this snooze garbage already?

It wasn't until the second week that the promos started to divulge that the story was actually about a bunch of con artists sceming people out of money.

Sure that was great, but the so called romance didn't add a darn thing to the story.  The chemistry between the two "lovers" was M.I.A. to say the least.  I waited for the perverbial ball to drop, thinking...HOPING that the "love" they eluded to was a part of a heist the couple had planned against each other.  Not the case.

The lack of chemistry in the romance nearly outweighs the real focus (no pun intended) of the plot.  The best part of the movie, for me, is when I found out that Owens (Gerald McRaney), a second generation spy, was Nicky's (Will Smith) father.

The movie was entertaining at best, but expect question marks to loom about.  The female love interest leaves much to be desired; no idea as to why Nicky was so impressed with this woman specifically.  Another 15 to  30 minutes of story development may have helped us understand their connection, as well as given this movie more than 2 stars.   Just sayin'.

By T. James-Sykes