Before turning marital woes in the shape of her husband’s dalliances with Becky with the good hair into the refreshing Lemonade, launching a thousand think pieces in the process, Beyoncé had already courted controversy in 2016 with the release of Formation – a politically-charged video that saw a large number of protestors demanding we all ‘Boycott Beyoncé’ ahead of her appearance at the Super Bowl. And now the reigning queen of music has revealed her thoughts on the protest, by officially selling t-shirts and phone cases with the phrase at venues on her new tour.
At the very first show on her Formation Tour, which took place yesterday evening in Miami, Florida, fans were quick to share images of the merchandise being sold, including Beyoncé turning her biggest detractors into money makers. Even members of her touring crew were photographed wearing the t-shirts, suggesting the singer is firmly supporting the move.
Capitalism at its funniest! Beyoncé selling her own Boycott Beyoncé shirts, trolling critics and "protesters"😂 pic.twitter.com/2PaXTRwfYm
— Juliana Jai Bolden (@JulianaJai) April 27, 2016
Beyoncé's crew rocking #FormationWorldTour merch. #Miami pic.twitter.com/26EQMYvoug
— BEYONCÉ LEGION (@Bey_Legion) April 27, 2016
The merchandising move appears to be the singer’s way of sticking her middle finger to the Miami Fraternal Order of Police, a law-enforcement body that had said it would refuse to work as security at her Miami show.
A spokesman for the Miami Police Department recently told the Miami New Times that out of 1,100 members, fewer than 30 had signed up to work the Formation Tour gig.
Speaking to Elle magazine earlier this month, Beyoncé spoke candidly about how her increasingly politicised music is being incorrectly interpreted.
“Anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken,” she said. “I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let us be clear, I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things.”
