.

Beyonce Is Fiercely Confusing in Baffling Video for "Diva"

December 23, 2008 10:35 AM ET

Beyoncé's "Diva" is built on a flawed premise: a diva is actually not a female version of a hustler. Putting that technicality aside, the singer's new video for the bumpy I Am ... Sasha Fierce track is kind of a hot mess: She grabs the black-and-white three-lady choreography that caused such a stir in her "Single Ladies" video, throws in a few life-size Oscar statuettes and even opens by presenting the dictionary definition of "diva." The result: a four-minute art-school film unworthy of her Sasha Fierceness. How long until fans demand a do-over, a la her African-dance-in-a-forest clip for B'Day's "Deja Vu"? Are we nuts and this is a masterpiece?

Beyoncé's comparatively easy to understand "Single Ladies" topped our list of the Best Singles of 2008. Why not enjoy that list right now and hop into the debate over the best albums of the year, too — and check out B's robot-hand in our roundup of the years's wackiest Random Notes:

• 100 Best Singles of 2008
• The Top 50 Albums of 2008
• Top 10 Reissues of 2008
• 2008's Wildest Rock Photos

For news, reviews, features and everything else Beyoncé, hit up her artist page.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

prev
Bruce Springsteen Talks "Working on a Dream:" "There Was Enough Fuel for the Fire to Keep Going"
Music Main Next
Spears' "Circus" Tour Picks Up Madonna Choreographer As Father's Financial Hold Grows Stronger

Picks From Around the Web


blog comments powered by Disqus
Daily Newsletter

Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
marketing partners.

X

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

Most Popular

Photos & Videos

Go To Content

Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures

Go To Content Play Video

Video: Dave Grohl Sits in With the Rolling Stones

Go To Content

Gallery: Summer Tour Preview 2013

Best Ever Lists
500 Greatest Albums of All Time

Other Lists

Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »