Beyoncé released the single “Formation” in 2016.
“Formation” was released on February 6, 2016, as a surprise single through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. Beyoncé first performed it publicly during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show the following day, where she appeared alongside Coldplay and Bruno Mars.
The song was written by Beyoncé, Swae Lee, Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Michael L. Williams II, and others, and produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, Pluss, and Beyoncé. Its video and lyrics foreground Black identity, Southern culture, and imagery associated with New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina.
“Formation” later appeared on Lemonade, released in April 2016. It won the Grammy Awards for Best Music Video and Best Rap Performance. Some listeners confuse the single’s release date with the release date of Lemonade, but the song arrived first as a standalone digital release. Its video was directed by Melina Matsoukas.