Produced by

Feminism, Beyoncé And 'The Mrs. Carter Show'

Post-Super Bowl, the pop icon announced her upcoming world tour -- which has taken her husband's name.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

U.S. singers Jay-Z and Beyonce at the U.S. Open in September (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP)

Throughout her career, pop star Beyoncé has been known by many names: “Queen B,” “Foxxy Cleopatra,” and, of course, “Sasha Fierce.” But now, Beyoncé has a new public persona: “Mrs. Carter.”

The 31-year-old singer announced after her Super Bowl performance that her upcoming world tour would be called “The Mrs. Carter Show” — referencing her husband, Jay-Z, né Shawn Carter (now Shawn Knowles-Carter).

Joining us to discuss Beyoncé's ascendancy to pop domination -- and the messaging she's employing as she does it -- is NPR Music critic Ann Powers, who wrote about Beyoncé's Super Bowl performance for NPR Music's The Record, and Arielle Loren, founder and editor-in-chief of Corset Magazine.

Guests:

Arielle Loren and Ann Powers

Comments [8]

Kate from Washington Heights

Hey who is doing your copy editing, folks? For a man, it would be né, not née. Just like for men it's fiancé and for women, fiancée.

Feb. 07 2013 12:17 PM
John from Bklyn

This is why I don't listen to Soundcheck anymore.

This stuff already gets enough attention! I try to avoid it, and yet, why do I have to know about Beyonce's every sneeze and bowel movement? Personally, I'm looking for alternatives to the mass market corporate-sanctioned baloney.

Why don't you have Kathleen Hanna on the show?

Feb. 07 2013 12:02 PM
ratboyy from Texas

It's really not about music with Beyonce. She's just promoting herself. Yawn.

Feb. 07 2013 11:44 AM
CPNYC from NYC

The show title is clearly ironic. Next story.

Feb. 07 2013 10:55 AM
Maleke

You are aomehealou nigglers....she has the world I'm her hand...a legend...an icon. Who are you to comment? Who wants your opinion? What's warrants you opinion? She like hate....ratchet little girls talking about a paid woman #getyolife

Feb. 07 2013 09:50 AM
AB from Providence, RI

Are you suggesting that wealthy women don't "need" feminism? That's absurd. Furthermore, aren't all major celebrities inherently "corporate" and "commercial" to some extent?

How is Beyonce "anti-feminist"? Surely the politics surrounding her performance are complicated, but she constantly promotes equal pay and respect in her music and her business dealings. She also encourages women to develop a positive body image, balances motherhood, a career, and a marriage, and openly expresses support for other women. What's so anti-feminist about that?

Feb. 07 2013 09:38 AM

I agree that she is, as Michele said "a big corporate, commercial bore"

Her female fans should be aware of how ruthlessly she flaunts her anti-feminist position. She hurts women who are struggling for equal pay and respect.

She doesn't need feminism; she's wealthy.

Feb. 07 2013 08:44 AM
Michele from New York City

I think that Beyonce is a woman is not worth the air time
that a good show like Soundcheck has offered her. She is a
big corporate, commercial bore who does not deserve the attention
that people give her.

Feb. 06 2013 09:20 PM

Leave a Comment

Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.