Ibrawlator: Beyonce — What’s Up With Her This Year? Vote & See Debate Highlights
Today’s Ibrawlator Twitter debate over Beyonce‘s current state of affairs was as heated — and fun — as we expected (if not more so!). It seems that the BeyHive is just as divided over Queen B’s lack of album five news and official single releases in 2013 as our own Sam Lansky and Mike Wass are. After an hour of dissecting the Grown Woman‘s career, there was no clear winner on either side. If anything, the general concensus seemed that both parties ultimately wanted the same thing: more iconic Beyonce hits — they simply had a different vision as to how the diva should go about it.
If you missed out on our intense discussion of all things Bey, head below to see highlights from both camps and some of our favorite comments from this afternoon. Then vote below in our Beyonce poll to help us declare a winner.
Debate topic #1: Since ending her professional relationship with her father, is Beyonce managing herself effectively?
@idolator Bey signed a $50 million deal with Pepsi & staged what will be the most successful tour of her career. She’s good #ibrawlator
— Mike Wass (@poptrashmike) July 3, 2013
@idolator I mean, the fact that there have been so many leaks, an HBO doc, a world tour, and ZERO commercial releases says no. #Ibrawlator — Sam Lansky (@samlansky) July 3, 2013
@idolator we’ve gotten to know her more as a person/mother/wife recently. world tour/doc with no new album says…yes. #Ibrawlator — Lorilynn McCorrister (@lorilynn_mc) July 3, 2013
@idolator She is. Old marketing trick: Hype brings demand + she’s increasing demand through the product not being available yet. #Ibrawlator — King L. Uncaged ♔ (@kingluncaged) July 3, 2013
Should Beyonce have made “Grown Woman” or “SOTS” official single releases after they leaked/made them available to purchase? #Ibrawlator
@idolator Yes. That’s central to my frustration. If they were debuted in some form and performed, they should be buyable. #Ibrawlator — Sam Lansky (@samlansky) July 3, 2013
@idolator Listen, I’m suffering from beyhydration (a serious illness brought about by no B on the radio)… so my heart says yes #ibrawlator — Mike Wass (@poptrashmike) July 3, 2013
@idolator #ibrawlator Contractually, she may not have been able to immediately. Pepsi/H&M may have had exclusivity rights to the tracks. — cherriLizabiff (@purplepleather) July 3, 2013
@idolator Yes – she should have released them esp how fitting they are for summer and what she’s been doing for the past year #ibrawlator — Richard Baxter (@RichBaxter) July 3, 2013
@idolator But wasn’t Rise Up released in some form in the US? And it did nothing? If the material sucks, what’s the point? #ibrawlator — Nick Bassett (@nickbassett1981) July 3, 2013
@samlansky @idolator @poptrashmike #ibrawlator Whats “Bow Down”?…I pretend that song doesn’t exist. Like Mariah says, “I don’t know her.”
— George (@georgeotiono) July 3, 2013
Does Beyonce owe her fans more communication than she’s given them or does she not owe them anything?
@idolator “owe” is too strong a word. B doesn’t owe anybody anything. But I wish she used twitter as well as she uses instagram #ibrawlator — Mike Wass (@poptrashmike) July 3, 2013
@idolator She doesn’t owe them anything, but I think it shows a lack of respect or consideration for her fans who LIVE for her. #Ibrawlator — Sam Lansky (@samlansky) July 3, 2013
@idolator Nah. She could always use social media more (I’m sure fans would enjoy), but keeping it quiet is sort of refreshing. #ibrawlator — Kurt Trowbridge (@KurtTrowbridge) July 3, 2013
@poptrashmike@idolator Maybe prefers the wordless Instagram images so her statements aren’t twisted. Besides, leaves an air of mystery. — Keith Caulfield (@keith_caulfield) July 3, 2013
Many artists push back LP releases or scrap entire Lp with no a backlash. Why is Bey singled out?
@idolator Just like Beyoncé, Jesus has been said to be coming for like ever now. I don’t see you guys coming for him #ibrawlator — Joseph Zambrano (@JayZee08) July 3, 2013
@idolator Beyonce is always held to a higher standard. It’s unfair but par for the course when you’re a living legend #ibrawlator
— Mike Wass (@poptrashmike) July 3, 2013
@idolator is she though? I hear plenty of back lash on Azealia Banks, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, and even Kanye over delaying their albums. — Happy Buddha (@HappyBuddha4Win) July 3, 2013
@idolator There’s so much Beyonce EVERYWHERE with no new music to peg it to. It’s crazy-making for fans. #Ibrawlator — Sam Lansky (@samlansky) July 3, 2013
@idolator She’s been trying to push her icon status since 2003 & once we start to believe it, she drops the ball. — Tynan (@TynanBuck) July 3, 2013
@samlansky @idolator I think it was disingenuous of her to advertise the tour as if it was the beginning of something, not just the “4 Tour” — Colm (@clommy) July 3, 2013
@idolator simple …”for Mrs. Carter will rise and give life to all” – scrolls from the ancient library of Alexandria — Marenah (@EmDelRey) July 3, 2013
It’s only been 2 years since Beyonce released 4 – why the panic for new music?
@idolator If B needs two years to make V great than I implore her to take it. It’s part of her legacy, it should be just right. #ibrawlator — Mike Wass (@poptrashmike) July 3, 2013
@idolator the backlash come from the fact that you have all these producers taking about the album coming soon
— Hakuna Matata (@ABC_1990) July 3, 2013
@idolator because she told us! She teases this new album with all these HUGE press/PR things n then acts like she doesn’t care #ibrawlator — Conor Behan (@platinumjones) July 3, 2013
@idolator Because “4” didn’t have any really big hits and fans want their favorites to slay the charts?
— Mateja Praznik (@MatejaPraznik) July 3, 2013
@poptrashmike @idolator I hope you’re right. And ultimately, when it finally drops, I bet all will be forgiven. #Ibrawlator
— Sam Lansky (@samlansky) July 3, 2013
And now with both sides evenly presented, it’s time for the moment of truth. Below and tell us how you feel about Album 5-Era Beyonce. Polls close at 11:59pm ET on Friday, July 5.