Beyoncé is not coming to the Super Bowl empty-handed. On Saturday afternoon, the singer released a new single, “Formation,” along with a music video that invokes Hurricane Katrina and fierce black pride (“I like my negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils,” Beyoncé sings, referring to her Southern heritage and superstar work ethic). She is scheduled to join Coldplay, the Super Bowl headliners, during halftime at the game Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
As has become Beyoncé’s habit, “Formation” was announced simultaneously on her Instagram account and official website with little warning.