Beyoncé’s song “Formation” won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 59th Grammy Awards.
“Formation” was released in February 2016 as the lead single from Beyoncé’s sixth studio album, Lemonade. The song was written by Beyoncé, Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Michael L. Williams II, and Swae Lee, with production involving Mike WiLL Made-It and Pluss, among others.
Its video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, uses imagery connected to Black Southern identity, history, fashion, and resilience. The song’s release and visual presentation made it an important cultural event before Beyoncé performed it at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show.
At the 2017 Grammy Awards, “Formation” won Best Music Video. Beyoncé did not win every category for which the song or album was nominated, so the specific award matters. “Formation” also earned the Grammy for Best R&B Song at the same ceremony.