#RunTheCulture

With the legendary creator for The Culture Beyonce dropping a new documentary and live album Homecoming,we’re going back to her first solo hit, the #CultureClassic “Crazy in Love”.

In 2003 Beyoncé finally went solo. And in what would become typical Beyonce fashion, she went big. Beyoncé’s incredibly highly anticipated debut solo studio album Dangerously in Love was lead by the huge single “Crazy In Love”. The song featured future husband (and legendary creator for The Culture in his own right) Jay-Z. Beyoncé was assertive in her delivery and her lyrical content about a romantic obsession causing her to lose control and Jay-Z went…well Jay-Z on the track. And backed by a sample of “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” by The Chi-Lites, the infectious pop, funk, hip-hop record took off instantly. As soon as the horns kick in, it was a wrap at any party that year.

“Crazy in Love” was a number-one hit on Billboard, went multi-platinum and set the table for Bey’s album to do the same. VH1 declared it the greatest song of the 2000s decade, while Rolling Stone ranked it at number 118 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time in 2010, and in 2018, declared the song the greatest song of the 21st century so far. It also went on to win Grammys for Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2004.

And we can’t forget the music video which features Beyoncé in a tank top, short shorts and high heels being…well Beyonce. It won three awards at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards and has been viewed over 400 million times on YouTube. “Crazy in Love” was an incredible introduction to Beyonce the solo star post Destiny’s Child and set the tone for Beyonce’s stellar career since, earning it’s spot as a true #CultureClassic.

Check out more of our musical content:

• #MusicMondays – Lizzo
• Interview – Hip-Hop Weekly Editor-In-Chief Kim SoMajor
• #CultureClassics – Janet Jackson “Rhythm Nation”

Written by @TalentedMrFord

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