Who directed the music video for Beyoncé’s 2016 song “Formation”?

Melina Matsoukas directed the music video for Beyoncé’s 2016 song “Formation.”

“Formation” was released as a surprise single on February 6, 2016, and later appeared on Beyoncé’s album Lemonade. Matsoukas directed its video, which uses imagery connected to Black identity, Southern history, Hurricane Katrina, police violence, and African-American cultural expression.

The video received extensive critical attention for its visual symbolism and political themes. It won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 2017, while the song itself won Best Music Video and Best Rap/Sung Performance-related recognition across major award coverage.

Matsoukas had previously directed other Beyoncé videos, including “Suga Mama” and “Why Don’t You Love Me.” The director is sometimes confused with the song’s writers or producers, but Matsoukas’s role here was directing the visual work.