Jay‑Z may be getting credit for the great rock-n-roll swindle of 2006, but it’s hard to deny that Beyonce and her boo didn’t create a media shitstorm to beat all this year. As Mr. Sanneh points out, it may be difficult to balance that drama and a career, but Beyonce, stunning yet vulnerable, generates more excitement than any other woman in pop music today, hands down. Questions about whether or not she’s still with H.O.V.A. only amplify her allure. “Ring the Alarm” has her teetering on the brink, uncertain of her footing, fighting rumor and innuendo from all sides, a trembling David to Jay’s cocksure Goliath.
Unlike the cries for help publicity stunts that have lately gobbled up newsprint everywhere, Beyonce’s unfortunately titled B’Day deserves praise for marrying real turbulence to her art, while Jay’s just shilling bougie brewskis.