"Girls!" Does Beyoncé's music rhyme with feminism?

The term "Girl Power" is associated with empowerment.  I know someone who has been described as a powerhouse, as untouchable, exciting, always ahead of the game and simply as the best - her name's Beyoncé Giselle Knowles, her music embodies this supposed empowerment.


This is why I say this:


From her days with Destiny's Child, she has lead the trio in garnering success with female empowering anthems, that girls the world over would sing and dance to.  They gave us Bills, Bills, Bills, Say My Name, Survivor, Independent Women (the track that went on to be the theme song for Charlies' Angels), Bootylicious and Nasty Girls.  Okay, so the last track named could be a contradiction to what I just said, but the song's in fact about girls having to set their standards higher, to be appreciated for what they represent.


I write her name as Bee, well because, the theme of her B'day album was represented with bees.  Others write it as Bey, I dare to be different.  And that's that.


Bee, has won 13 grammys as a solo artist and three as a member of Destiny's Child since the start of her music career.  She writes female-empowerment themed compositions and tours with an all-female band, called Suga Mama.  Her most popular songs are the ones rearing women towards power, worth, strength and independence.  I've read and heard many times of her being likened with a movement of a "new-age feminism", I don't agree with that.


I, personally, don't think Bee's trying to lead a political movement, however, she is well in tune with who and what she represents as a woman.  She has a voice to voice these sentiments and that's what she does.  I see her music as geared more towards creativity than politics and also, I feel that people take her songs too literally.  We shouldn't forget that she's an artist first and foremost, her job is to sell records.  Her success with achieving this has been founded in the "girl power" chants.


Feminism is about the fight for women toward equality, access and diversity.  No song of hers carries a distinct message about that.  Rather, they convey that women can be confident and embrace their sexuality, to take pride in their liberty to make choices concerning their happiness, in relationships mostly.  To enjoy our femininity without compromising on our authority.


Well, her latest offering in Run this World (Girls) is open to interpretation.  Yet, again, if taken literally it can be open to being taken in any and all contexts.  For me, I would say I embrace the song as a chant to running my own world.  A tune that's feel-good, motivation-like.  Not about me prancing around with crazy notions linked with literally running "this motha".


We've been spoiled with many other "girl power" anthems from the beautiful Bee, these include Me, Myself & I, which starts off with "All the ladies if you feel me, help me sing it out..." going on about out being her own best friend and how she'll never disappoint herself.


Then we had Irreplaceable, a very memorable track and so near perfect.  I remember hearing it EVERYWHERE, admittedly, I got sickened by it (I usually do when a song's liked by everyone) but now, years later I can listen to it again and appreciate it for all it's worth.  The music video was also accompanied by the debut appearance of her band, Suga Mama.  A smash-hit, sing-a-long that has become a staple in Bee's tours and live performances.


The dual disc album, gave us simultaneous  releases of If I Were A boy and Single Ladies (Put a ring on it) to demonstrate her dueling personalities.  I don't have the dual disc, mine is the 20 track platinum edition; I absolutely love the album, the ballads on it are breathtaking.
Both tracks were international chart toppers, however, Single Ladies overshadowed the beautifully written narrative.  It won Bee Song of the Year, Best R&B song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance accolades at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.


And now, she's graced us with Run the World (Girls), represented by a video where she and many other ladies grind to popular African dance moves.  It is undeniable that this woman knows how to capture an audience, whether in favour of or not.  Does she represent contemporary feminism?  I'd love to hear your feedback.
I am of the opinion though, that she uses aesthetically and lyrically pleasing calls to female-empowerment, less in a general sense, more so for fulfilment in personal relationships.