the young people's professor

Well folks, here it is, yet another milestone on Beyonce's on-going attempt to conquer the world one video at a time: a new commerical for Emporio Armani's diamond collection.

Actually, the commerical is kinda hot. Whoever B has working for her is very clever. The way I see it, the video's iconography clearly calls upon at least two genealogies of black womanist performance: the shimmery-silver microphones invoke the history of black cabaret acts like Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne, while the wild, booty-histrionic choreography invokes the image of a young Josephine Baker. Thus the video draws upon a decidingly "blacker" performance tradition than the classic Marylin Monroe rendition.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am slowly beginning to love this woman. The drama simply never ends.

Beyonce is clearly is on her way to obtaining true industry icon status. Her voice continues to remain in soaringingly-smooth condition and her dance moves feature enough idiosyncrasy to make any good, old-fashioned drag queen happy. You can check out the "making," of this commerical with special behind the scenes footage by clicking here (I recommend it!).

I want more!

-frank mizrahi