Beyoncé

Lives of the Musicians

by Tshepo Mokoena

Beyoncé is not simply a pop sensation. She is a cultural phenomenon empowering the oppressed and dispossessed, challenging white privilege and misogyny and exploding gender politics. But who is Beyoncé Knowles-Carter? And how did a small girl from Houston become the strong confident woman whose albums sell in their millions and whose songs have become anthems against racial and sexual discrimination and oppression? This biography sets out to reveal exactly that.

144 pages, Hardcover

Published November 16, 2021

Reviews

[Kiran Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told the story of Beyoncé in a way that conveyed her power and brilliance without deifying her into an otherworldly beacon of perfection who can do no wrong. This didn’t undermine her impact and influence however. It served to further amplify her diligence, talent, and work-ethic showing why she is a living icon sitting in a league of her own.

[Ksenija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theme
- In this book, the author leads us through the development of Beyonce's career - from early childhood to the peak of her success. You can go through the sequence of events, ups and downs, leading Beyonce to where she is now. This book also highlights the role of her parents in her life
- I lacked more in-depth details of how Beyonce felt during different periods of her life, book is positioned a bit aside of her

Main characters
- Beyonce itself, as well as her parents

The most interesting moment
- Preparing and failing on the Star Search

Insights
- It was not 100% success for Beyonce and if she would give up, she would never achieve recognition
- Amount of effort her parents contributed to her success
- Not new but still actual - the fact how big part of music band is not music, but business

[Kelly Steed · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is basically an elongated Wikipedia page full of regurgitated information, other people’s interviews, other people’s books and hearsay.

The only good thing about this book is the gorgeous artwork on the sleeve but that’s more down to Beyoncé’s beauty than anything else.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overwritten hagiography but well-researched and good on the cultural significance of Beyonce.

[Bethany Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, couldn’t put it down