Recapping Beyonce's Act I: Renaissance | Era Revisit

[@Goku15]

the “might i suggest you don’t fuck with my sis” line on “COZY” is actually about the trans women that the song is an homage to. Honey Djion and TS Madison are the stars behind the boards of the song. This is Beyoncé’s ode to the FIERCEST of the them, trans women.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Pinning this. Wow! I cannot believe I missed that.

[@greenhornet8262]

What do you mean by the boards behind the song?

[@moonlightbaesz]

omg i never thought abt it that way and now it makes soooooo much sense!!!!!!!!

[@itsgeorgiexo]

No baby, she’s talking about Solange… her actual sis… she’ll beat your ass in an elevator. It has nothing to do with trans women 😂

[@itsgeorgiexo]

That’s a reach sis

[@noneapplicable1327]

This album shifted the language, the culture, Renaissance really rebirthed Beyonce

[@EljohnMacaranas]

YESSS

[@Milaniaofficiall]

Absolutely 💯 as a REAL GROWN WOMAN THAT’S TRULY COMFORTABLE IN HER SKIN I GOT A FEELING SHE GONE RELEASE THE VISUALS AS A SURPRISE ONE DAY (I hope 😂) BUT THIS TRULY SHOWED US……. BEYONCÉ ❤️

[@ryansongmusic]

the fact that clubs playing this album from top to the end is soooo shocking. This album healed me

[@EljohnMacaranas]

They did it a couple times in 2022 and I lived

[@paolo2411]

Renaissance is a masterpiece btw… pure perfection. Best album of the 2020s so far in my book. I’m so excited for cowboy carter. She really is the legend of our time

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I can’t name a single bad track on this. She has not missed in quite some time and even her “misses” still have impact!

[@SideEyeee_]

the 2020s aren’t finished yet 🤣

[@paolo2411]

@@SideEyeee_ I said “so far”

[@slystone4892]

Pure Honey is pure joy I love it it should be longer.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Honestly I wish both halves had their own extended little versions but the fan edits are solid

[@slystone4892]

@@EljohnMacaranas yes both of them yes

[@davidpachecogarcia]

The tour remixing was fire especially with the performances! 🔥

[@JZidor]

To mention Ts Madison's iconic part about the variety of blackness on cozy is wild I'm giving u the aside eye

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I def know I made a few oversights 💀 and apologize in advance

[@slystone4892]

What an amazing discography she will leave behind once she’s gone which I hope is many many decades from now.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m hoping she reaches 20 albums!

[@slystone4892]

@@EljohnMacaranas I’m sure could be more than 20

[@perryjones7771]

I always felt like she was going to do a country album. She always struck me as a person who listens to country music. For some reason I feel like she listens too Martina McBride. I would love to hear her cover “Where Would You Be” I just know she would kill it. Also Dolly Parton and Beyoncé anyone???? As a black male I love listening to country music but it’s hard to find black country artists and we all know the reason for that. I remember the backlash that she received for performing at the CMA awards. Middle America is a different beast. If she’s paying homage to black country artists I would LIVE if she brought out Tracey Chapman.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I've seen rumors that she's gotten clearance on a few classic country melodies, apparently she also has a sample of Carrie Underwood on there. The country community has always been... the worst. The way they treated her at the CMAs, the way the community tried to blackball Lil Nas X off their charts despite other artists making the same sorta songs... heck even against people who play in the sandbox but talk about things that don't "align" (Kacey Musgraves.)

[@bperez8656]

She’s been planning it since 2016!!! Beyoncé doesn’t follow she sets eras well in advance!

[@zt3853]

peep the track list now - jolene and dolly parton both mentioned i’m screaming

[@izzywizzyfromthefiz]

great recap + i would add that MY HOUSE was teased at the end of the Renaissance movie and surprise dropped. It is the last thing to come out of the Renaissance era before Cowboy Carter.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

The way I have to tack that on to the prelude for my Cowboy Carter review this weekend 😭

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Also thank you 🤠🪩

[@Musa93]

Omgggg I didn’t think about the fact that how renaissance ends could be looped into act 2… if we find this out on Friday imma be speechless

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I hope there’s some cool little nods to keep it all together, I know Cowboy Carter was well into development (if not done) when Ren was recording so I can only imagine there has to be a few callbacks!

[@yomama9114]

I never thought she would top Lemonade. Renaissance was an actual rebirth of culture and art. Since it’s release it’s stayed in rotation on my Spotify. Excited for Cowboy Carter.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Lemonade really defined the 2010’s like even early 20’s with everyone wanting to do a visual album film 😭 Renaissance she really said… relish in the music and we did!

[@tyreejones1074]

Thoughts?

[@yomama9114]

@@tyreejones1074 I don’t like cowboy Carter 😭 I tried to enjoy it but I just don’t like it. It doesn’t help that it’s such a long album either. Maybe 3 songs that I still go back to listen to.

[@tyreejones1074]

@@yomama9114 😵

[@tyreejones1074]

@@yomama9114 idk maybe it needs to grow on you. Renaissance did for me

[@kylereddell]

BRACE YOURSELVES, RENAISSANCE ACT II IS COMING! Another great vid to reflect on Act I before we go line dancing!!!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I'm SO excited! Like the way she's doing country is really going to open up horizons for other artists.

[@Pipsreader3]

So eager for ttpd and cowboy carter 🤍

[@kylereddell]

@@EljohnMacaranas i am expecting a not-so-insignificant amount of backlash from the less-than-savory gatekeepers, if you catch my drift. she deserves all the support and praise she can get, because beyoncé has definitively proven she has the talent for these kinds of projects and they aren't just cash grabs.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

@@Pipsreader3Tayonce stans always win!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

@@kylereddellI think the implication a billionaire would even need to cash grab using country is just so… laughable. Like this is an accomplished artist who built her own cultural empire. I’m genuinely mad people want to gatekeep a genre.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

With Cowboy Carter out in a few days, I needed to rectify not having a video out on this classic slice of dance! What was your fave track?!

[@smileyface78]

Gotta be Virgo’s Groove ♍️🪩

[@EljohnMacaranas]

@@smileyface78All time classic! The visual is gonna be amazing if she ever drops it!

[@Iaurenz]

Move, heated, and energy are my favorites but it’s so hard to choose!

[@lucianheller8619]

“Atlanta Night 1 won the mute challenge” YUPPP YUPPP *insert Olivia Wilde “we love America” gif*

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We LOVE America (Beyonce’s America)! Let’s hear it!

[@CrashNebulaa]

I’m sorry love but you’re wrong, it’s 1. Louisiana 2. LA (birthday night [I was there]) 3. Atlanta

[@Illi-anna-]

@@CrashNebulaa AS a NOLA attendee I agree we definitely won its in the movie lmao

[@paolo2411]

It’s so crazy to think music was released on Tuesdays like WOOOOAA I love getting to the end of the week and knowing that on every Friday morning I can put on dear old ‘new music Friday ’ playlist on and listen to new music (well not always, many Fridays are dry AFFFFF)… favorite day of the week by FAAAR. Beyoncé is such a game changer more than we think she is!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh believe me my dinosaur butt was there for the shift sometime in 2015 and it really changed the way people treated music, I do think it ended up helping streaming because Friday meant the weekend: new movies and music

[@gracielaayala2226]

Love the art direction in both albums visually and cowboy carter wow 😮❤❤🎉🎉⚡️⚡️

[@EljohnMacaranas]

The care she and her team into putting history and her own spin on classic aesthetics… she’s a master

[@kaiymariewalker8823]

Fantastic READ! Cannot wait to hear your take on act ii

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you! It’s out actually! Well my initial thoughts are! I’m gonna do another fine tooth combed read when we get visuals!

[@JoshPinder92]

Similar to Madonna at 40 years old releasing Ray of Light, Rennaissance for Beyonce showcased a massive and needed reinvention for her as a older srtist yet pushing boundaries and showcasing a reflection on the world we are now in ...imoortant pivotal and excellent ....shes teaching us with these albums ....love it

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I think at a certain point artists just eventually do need to like escape the trappings they entered the industry with and just make art, the ones that don’t fade to obscurity clinging onto the same gamebook lost to time. Others transcend and become far greater than their original selves

[@Kulou8]

This Record is criminally UNDERRATED!!! Thanks for this vid though!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Literally deserves way better than the great it got! I’d love for Cowboy Carter to force a reappraisal

[@pph6749]

I can die peacefully if the outro of Sumer Renaissance transition perfectly to the first track of Cowboy Carter.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m hoping she does do that or at the very least carries that energy towards the last part 😭

[@theetaurus1832]

well it was better than that but

[@theetaurus1832]

@@AkilahJhaneit does not.

[@lazayvion]

It’s the other way around 😊

[@AkilahJhane]

@@theetaurus1832 TO ME .

[@hw1034]

Now that is what I call good unbiased coverage. Keep it up.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

You can be a fan and still analyze and piece things together! Even with my personal faves, I try to be sorta encyclopedic

[@whitewinesupernova]

Man I remember when I first listened to this album I didn't like it AT ALL. Now it's on repeat for me every day.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

It ages like a fine wine, everyone I know who was mixed on it early on likes it more than I do! And I was there on day 1

[@Sequoya]

Great video and era! So excited for the new record.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you! 🥰

[@RicardoAlexandre-e9f]

GOD I SO LOVE THIS WOMAN ! HER ARTISTRY IS JUST EVERY THING OF WHAT A ARTIST SHOULD BE... AND HONESTLY I SEE WHY HATTER ARE SO MADE ATE HER , SHE'S A BLACK QUEEN BEING THE SUPREME OF THE SUPREME❤

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Literally she’s a cultural and industry staple and literally the most unapologetically black artist at her level. I’m so glad to be alive in a time Beyonce’s at the top of her game.

[@sk8trstar21]

Analysis on point 👌🏽👌🏽

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you 🤠🪩

[@mzelk995]

great commentary/analysis!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

THANKS! 🤠

[@melanieabassah8756]

amazing and comprehensive analysis, new subbie!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you so much! 🪩

[@certified_daydreamer]

I'M EARLY. PS.I love your content.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m glad you’re here! Thank you so much! 🤠🪩

[@tahreesuh]

Renaissance CHANGED me as a person and made me more comfortable in my queerness. Seeing someone pay homage to queer culture like this made me so happy. Renaissance was on repeat for me for almost 2 years, and it still is. There are ZERO skips on that album it's insane.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

We love to see records impact lives! It’s a gorgeous record about acceptance and truth!

[@Fullmetaltrev]

I didn't quite get it before but this record made me a fan ❤

[@EljohnMacaranas]

It’s such a solid record!

[@egyptwilliams8338]

You left out “my house” lol 😅 that was the end of the era and a banger

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh def tacking that to the Cowboy Carter intro section 😭

[@d.m.7696]

“Must be the cash cuz it ain’t ya face” is a play on Nelly’s”Tip Drill” where he says “Must be ya ass cuz it ain’t ya face”

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Ooooh

[@d.m.7696]

@@EljohnMacaranas overall great video!

[@Blade16produtions]

My family hates that she is going to do country but I’m fine with it I never thought should would do it but I’m happy for her and I can’t wait for the album when I listen to it Saturday

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I cannot believe people wanna gatekeep a whole ass genre 😭 but I’m amped too!

[@Blade16produtions]

@@EljohnMacaranas even my best friend doesn’t like it lol it werid

[@Illi-anna-]

I’d like to say NOLA actually won the Mute challenge 😂 as an attendee, our challenge is in the movie so I’d consider that a win tbh 😶‍🌫️

[@EljohnMacaranas]

OMG congrats! Man your restraint genuinely impresses me because in LA, we could not do it

[@marlenna215]

La night 3 won the mute challenge

[@Illi-anna-]

@@marlenna215 then how come yall didn’t make it to the movie lmao 🤫

[@niyahnova]

i love thisss

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank you! Renaissance is my favorite record in a while.

[@usethis4511]

Everyday I regret not going to the RWT 😔

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I felt that when I was watching the movie 😭

[@usethis4511]

@@EljohnMacaranas saame 😭

[@JeanNascimentoJNX]

bruh i did NOT know the original AHAP was about the crack epidemic, that makes so much sense considering beyoncé's is literally "the problem is i'm too hot and you can't get enough of it, like crack"

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh yeah, the original was designed as a euphemism because of how strict radio codes were, like I’d argue the radio’s become so much looser than it was way back when, hence why my older folks are always shocked what they hear

[@JeanNascimentoJNX]

@@EljohnMacaranasoh definitely, radio has changed so much over the last decades but it's nice to have that new knowledge on the song, it's like the one piece that makes everything else make sense

[@dontbdirtyicecream]

I saw the impact of this album in a gay club in Europe where they played the whole album (a year after release) and everyone could sing along every word.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh damn, this album does rip in a club setting

[@xcoldxasxfirex]

i love renaissance!!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

It’s such a dense and rich work, I always discover something new!

[@maximaleschaos6077]

I think I'm early lol

[@violet12345]

yesss sammmeee

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Hey! Thanks for being amongst the first to check the video out!

[@marthadonnapurrrr]

Lowkey i think this album is her artpop

[@EljohnMacaranas]

so her masterpiece?

[@marthadonnapurrrr]

@@EljohnMacaranas absolutely purrrrr

[@arinm4444]

My fav songs are HEATED and Church girl

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh those two are great! Church Girl’s insane

[@violet12345]

IM EARLY!!!!!!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Glad you are!

[@blackrose-kt3ed]

Is every song a sample

[@EljohnMacaranas]

About 7-8 have samples while the rest are original productions. Some of the samples are more or less just her using a clip of a song.

[@Wave2taesan]

You should review Megan’s a Ku when it comes out

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Definitely covering it! I’m also going to her tour! 😭

[@Wave2taesan]

Slayyyy

[@majejejenta]

hi! I don't wanna come off as mean, i just can't help but be repelled by the tone that you deliver all the lines in this and other videos. you say some very important stuff, but that insight gets lost easily by the flattening of your tone. it is your tone *for now* and maybe you've heard this before, but i really encourage you to practice your expressions and the modulation of your voice to truly transmit what your feelings are about any piece of art. It would really help others engage with your content, as I wasn't able to hold on after 3-5 minutes. I hope this helps!!

[@EljohnMacaranas]

hi, i’ve had these comments for years and appreciate the advice but honestly it’s become a trademark of mine in a way, i make these for fun and honestly kinda don’t care 🤷🏻‍♂️ but thank u

[@markjoshuacalica1673]

America has a problem is my favorite ❤

[@EljohnMacaranas]

A classic that is still in my rotation!

[@slystone4892]

She really doesn’t give a shit about charts and all that well that’s been the case for 10 years r so.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

And yet she’s still killing it! I’m genuinely glad she’s around. I love charts and data and that stuff but there does come a time in an artist’s life where they have to let that go and reap all what they earned. Bey is barely scratching the surface in my honest opinion and even then… wow!

[@slystone4892]

@@EljohnMacaranas and that gives her artistic freedom, I wish Michae Jackson would have done the same. I love Beyoncé I look forward for her next act and the visuals

[@PinkDesertEagle]

Lol. Renaissance is Cowboy Carter's sequel.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I learned that mid-recording and it’s insane that she recorded it first! 🤠😭

[@a.lumpia]

Don't call Energy an interlude

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh I acknowledge it as a song but it sets up Break My Soul so beautifully

[@MrExplor80]

Amazing synopsis, only critique, it’s Bee, not Bay

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Thank ya! Haha my mom is a huge fan of her and even bought DiL when I was a kid so that pronunciation never left me haha

[@rtmusicvideos431]

You mispronounced Kelis’ name…if you listen to her discography you’ll see she’s a cultural icon in her own right and deserves respect which is why even Beyonce has been influenced by her (more than once)! Thankfully, Beyonce removed the part of her song she sampled without her permission, but the song still sounds good.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I have to give her discography a spin, I’m glad Bey respected her wishes!

[@rtmusicvideos431]

@@EljohnMacaranas Kelis’ most popular album is Tasty which has a lot of funk and disco elements which maybe influenced Beyonce. That’s the album that has Kelis’ song Milkshake that was a huge hit and cultural moment. Energy borrows a melody from that song. Also Beyoncé’s song Kitty Kat borrows some lyrics from Kelis’ song Bossy which is from her Kelis Was Here album. Beyoncé’s song Ring the Alarm also borrows the screaming elements in an R&B song which Kelis originated in her first single Caught Out There from her album in the 90s called Kaleidoscope. Kelis’ album Fleshtones has a lot of dance influences too. So overall she’s made a lot of cultural impact even though a lot of people don’t realize it, but I’m sure that’s why she caught Beyoncé’s attention. At one time they were dueling in the charts in the early 2000’s as two popular R&B artists so that’s probably why Beyonce noticed her.

[@AurmazlZudeh]

How did I not know my fave singer Tems was on move? I'm so ashamed

[@EljohnMacaranas]

She’s v subtle! But I adore Tems so I gagged when her name came up!

[@AurmazlZudeh]

@@EljohnMacaranas thank you so much for a great video on a great subject, I'm fully informed now!

[@qsc4556]

rihanna next

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Oh I’m running the tables on a series from start to finish

[@tyreejones1074]

Renaissance ended with my house not with ahap remix

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Yeah I saw a couple comments clarifying!

[@tanakajesu]

why do you call her bay when the first three letters of her name are pronounced BEE and her fans are literally called the beyhive as in BEE HIVE

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Responded in another comment, but mispronunciation from how my mom from the Philippines would say it when I was a kid.

[@tanakajesu]

@@EljohnMacaranas ok thats fair sorry

[@milangabor381]

Yes and still NO VISUALS.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

She needs to drop em at the very least! Someday!

[@slystone4892]

Well her new album was n my opinion surpassed this album.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

That’s insane she’s done it consecutively for like 4 albums now

[@slystone4892]

@@EljohnMacaranas 5 I think

[@weluvfood2865]

this album was a hot mess, understand what she is trying to do but I think musically years from now it will be looked at as corny - same with the new album she released sometimes it comes off gimicky. One example the song america has a problem, its just not good. She also didn't event suprise drops that was Radiohead or David Bowie i think. I really loved her self titled album I think that's the best album she has under her belt.

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I'm curious to see which of the Acts is gonna be perceived as the "worst", I've seen a lot of public opinion revisit Renaissance with more praise after CC.

[@Sean-pw5uv]

Azelia banks ate her up

[@EljohnMacaranas]

Don’t quite agree but I miss Azealia so much and am sad her label really treated her awfully

[@Sean-pw5uv]

@@EljohnMacaranas she is like a Trisha paytas, she got some valid points but it’s mixed up between the bizarre stuff 😭😭. I agree with her point that Beyonce is pandering; to an extent

[@CharleneCallison-y3t]

The only good thing she has to offer was her looks to her daughter blue. Blue pregnant? I don't believe that at all, if so.... It is what it is.

[@popomerleau]

Girl what? 😭

[@EljohnMacaranas]

I’m so lost 😭