a Case Study on Beyoncé, But Queen B’s Lyrics Have Been Schooling Us for Years

Photo: Courtesy of Beyoncé

Harvard Business School will reportedly publish a case study next week on the business behemoth that is Beyoncé, and more specifically, on the effect that her game-changing surprise visual album, Beyoncé, has had on the economy of being a pop star. In our opinion, obviously, they couldn’t have landed on a better subject: Beyoncé has long placed industry, hard work, and ambition as a central theme in her music. Just take a look at her lyrics—going all the way back to her Destiny’s Child days, they read like a user’s guide to becoming a boss. Here, a roundup of Queen Bey’s best business advice.
1. On avoiding scrubs.
Now you’ve been maxing out my card Gave me bad credit, buyin’ me gifts with my own ends Haven’t paid the first bill But instead you’re headin’ to the mall Goin’ on shopping sprees Perpetrating to your friends like you be ballin’
—Destiny’s Child, “Bills, Bills, Bills”
2. On the importance of women running their own accounts.
Tell me what you think about me I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings Only ring your cell-y when I’m feelin’ lonely When it’s all over please get up and leave Question: Tell me how you feel about this Try to control me, boy, you get dismissed Pay my own fun, oh and I pay my own bills Always 50/50 in relationships
—Destiny’s Child, “Independent Women Part 1”
3. On male-female partnership.
You need a real woman in your life That’s a good look Taking care Home is still fly That’s a good look I’m gonna help you build up your account That’s a good look
—“Upgrade U”
4. On taking care of your man, if you have to.
Cause I’m a suga ma-ma-mama I’m your suga mama, suga mama And I’ve always been the type to take care of mine I know just what I’m doing Don’t you worry it’s cool and everything is steady Puttin’ you on my taxes already, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I promise I won’t let no bills get behind
—“Suga Mama”
5. On the necessity of hard work.
I work my 9 to 5, better cut my check This goes out to all the women getting it in, You’re on your grind To other men that respect what I do Please accept my shine Boy I know you love it How we’re smart enough to make these millions Strong enough to bear the children Then get back to business
—“Run the World (Girls)”
6. On treating yourself (and him) if you’ve worked hard.
Yup, I buy my own, if he deserve it, buy his shit too All up in the store, shorty, tricking if I want to All up in the store, shawty, fly as we want to
—“Countdown”
7. On avoiding student debt.
Who needs a degree when you’re schoolin’ life?
—“Schoolin Life”
8. Mo Money Mo Problems.
Of course sometimes shit goes down when there’s a billion dollars on the elevator
—“Flawless (Remix)”