Beyonce releases first album in six years RENAISSANCE

Music is entertainment as well as art, just like books, movies, television, etc...

Before such conclusion, one should try to define which music, books or art we are talking about and than we should establish the context of such discussion. Of course, it is up to any individual to choose how it will relate to such things, but I would not agree that all ’music, books and art’ might be considered as an ’enterteiment’, or at least, some are not created to be observed as such.

Than again, there is a story when W.Blake met than young Constable when he was just finishing one of his paintings. Blake, amezed, said that painting is an inspiration, but Constable answered that he believe that is a landscape...

@garebear Thx for the shout out! I was not the one that mentioned Little Feat, it might have been hifiguy42? Not sure what his point was. We as Audiophiles and Melophiles only have so much time to listen. An elimination process is necessary I can’t give my listening time to Beyonce when a Stan Getz/Beethoven/or Steely Dan LP is on the shelf. The bottom line could be some are offended if one has higher standards or the OP could have bated us to create division?

@alexatpos - good points! 

I’m not sure which people just say, “hey, you can’t criticize (blank) because that person is (blank).”

I’ve never heard someone use sexual/gender identification or ethnicity as a defense for someone’s behavior. If I did, I would say, “that is extremely dumb,” because that’s exactly what that would be. I’m not saying it’s never happened, just as lots of extremely dumb things happen, but such inanity doesn’t even warrant debate.

For those suggesting that Beyoncé owes her success to her marital relationship, I would remind you she was extremely successful way before she met Jay-Z.

Also, the OP chose to create a thread based solely on the fact that an extremely famous artist released on album the other day.  The subsequent expression of opinions is the point of an opinion forum. No nefarious acts are committed if people say an opinion you disagree with. There is no attempt at, “creating division” at play here.  There is no stipulation at the top of the page that says, “ONLY THOSE WHO SPEAK FAVORABLY OF THE SUBJECT MAY CONTRIBUTE.”

Do we like debate or not? I like it when people agree with me as much as the next guy, but I’m growing so, so tired of this idea that the expression of dissenting opinion is inherently “malicious” or “hostile.”