ON THE STREET!

New Yorkers Are Ready for Beyoncé’s “RENAISSANCE”

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

Beyoncé’s RENAISSANCE promotional poster in NYC.

It’s time for Beyonce’s RENAISSANCE. After debuting a controversial hit single earlier this summer, the Houstonian pop star is back with her highly anticipated seventh studio album. In the midst of the fervor, Interview’s interns hit the streets of New York to ask a few stans just how thirsty they are for Queen Bey’s return.—MICAIH THOMAS

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MALAKAI, 20

@malakai.white

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: Have you heard “BREAK MY SOUL”?

MALAKAI: Of course!

INTERVIEW: What is breaking your soul right now?

MALAKAI: My job is breaking my soul. Men are breaking my soul—I’m sorry! Yeah, fuck men.

INTERVIEW: What city is Beyoncé from?

MALAKAI: Houston, Texas.

INTERVIEW: Best Beyoncé look?

MALAKAI: I would say the VMAs when she went—the “Sandcastles” era—it was that moment.

INTERVIEW: Favorite Beyoncé album?

MALAKAI: B’Day (2006). B’Day is so good!

INTERVIEW: Who would you like to see Beyoncé collaborate with?

MALAKAI: I want someone old—I’m thinking of a Missy Elliot x Beyoncé collab with maybe Doja Cat.

INTERVIEW: If you could say one thing to Beyoncé, what would it be?

MALAKAI: I fucking love you!

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KYLE, 20 and MCKINLEY, 20

@kyyleanthony and @mckinleyconruknudson

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: When I say Beyoncé what comes to mind?

KYLE: Legend.

MCKINLEY: Iconic. Gamechanger.

INTERVIEW: What makes your soul break?

MCKINLEY: Prices in the city. [Laughs]

INTERVIEW: If you could say one thing to Beyoncé what would it be?

MCKINLEY: I think that she has had a very impressive career and it’s very inspiring that she’s still so relevant.

KYLE: Beyoncé, you will always be famous.

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LOGAN

@rango.jango_

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: When I say Beyoncé what comes to mind?

LOGAN: Bad music.

INTERVIEW: Do you have a message for Beyoncé?

LOGAN: It’s a longer story than it is a shorter one. Beyoncé is too powerful—she’s powerful enough to make a difference but I feel like sometimes she doesn’t. So that power is really not good. A lot of her music is based off a generic version of what a woman should be—and that’s not healthy. That’s how I feel.

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BENJAMIN, 18

@_ghanaian.king

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: Have you heard “BREAK MY SOUL”?

BENJAMIN: Yes I have. The acapella version too.

INTERVIEW: What is breaking your soul right now?

BENJAMIN: This job, college—life in general. I hate it in New York.

INTERVIEW: Best Beyoncé look?

BENJAMIN: Her Black is King-era looks were just non-stop amazing.

INTERVIEW: Who would you like to see Beyoncé collaborate with?

BENJAMIN: I need a Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna collaboration. I think that would bring Rihanna back to music. I really want to see that.

INTERVIEW: If you could say one thing to Beyoncé what would it be?

BENJAMIN: I could do better than Jay-Z.

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KAIMANA, 15

@kai.ms1

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: When I say Beyoncé, what comes to mind first?

KAIMANA: Icon. Crazy, incredible, and really cool.

INTERVIEW: Have you heard “BREAK MY SOUL”?

KAIMANA: Yes.

INTERVIEW: What makes your soul break?

KAIMANA: Losing friendships I’d say. Or even just sad videos online.

INTERVIEW: What’s your favorite Beyoncé song?

KAIMANA: Oh, this is hard. She did a cover of a song called “Listen” from Dreamgirls. 

INTERVIEW: If you could say one thing to Beyoncé, what would it be?

KAIMANA: I would thank her for everything she’s done. She’s really cool. It would be awesome to meet her.

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STAN and ALEX

@stankillian and @alexfeldmandrums

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: When I say Beyoncé, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

STAN: Jay-Z.

ALEX: God, I have to be honest: wealth.

INTERVIEW: What’s your favorite Beyoncé song?

STAN: It’s this one [breaks into “Crazy In Love” on the sax]. That one is a banger.

ALEX: Also “XO,” that’s a really good one, and a killer video.

INTERVIEW: Who would you like to see her collaborate with?

ALEX: I don’t know, like Joel Ross.

STAN: You know what, actually, Robert Glasper. They’re both from Houston. They both went to HSPVA [High School for the Performing and Visual Arts].

INTERVIEW: If you could say one thing to Beyoncé, what would you say?

ALEX: Just keep killing it.

STAN: I love you.

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MAWA, 30

@mawasomalia 

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: Have you heard “BREAK MY SOUL?”

MAWA: Yes, I have, and I love it.

INTERVIEW: What breaks your soul?

MAWA: What breaks my soul is someone lying to someone knowing that it’ll hurt them. I don’t like that. The truth is always better, it’s easier too.

INTERVIEW: When I say Beyoncé, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

MAWA: Glamour.

INTERVIEW: Favorite Beyoncé look?

MAWA: When she had her Sasha Fierce thing going on.

INTERVIEW: Your message for Beyoncé?

MAWA: Stay true to yourself. She seems like she’s got it down.

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JONATHAN, 37

@j_rodz701

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: When I say Beyoncé, what comes to mind?

JONATHAN: Music. Beautiful woman. Success.

INTERVIEW: Favorite Beyoncé song?

JONATHAN: It was an old song with Jay-Z. “Crazy in Love.”

INTERVIEW: Who would you like to collaborate with?

JONATHAN: Drake.

INTERVIEW: If you could say one thing to Beyoncé what would it be?

JONATHAN: She’s gorgeous.

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JUSTIN, 23 and BRYCE, 23

@justin.it.to.win.it and @popstarbiitch

Beyoncé's "RENAISSANCE"

INTERVIEW: When I say Beyoncé, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

JUSTIN: Icon.

BRYCE: Queen.

INTERVIEW: What breaks your soul?

BRYCE: Capitalism.

JUSTIN: Oppressive politics.

INTERVIEW: Favorite Beyoncé song?

BRYCE: “All Night.”

JUSTIN: “Drunk in Love.”

INTERVIEW: Favorite Beyoncé look?

BRYCE: Her Dangerously in Love crystal top.

JUSTIN: Coachella, the sweatshirt with the jean short moment.

INTERVIEW: Favorite Beyoncé album?

BRYCE AND JUSTIN: B’Day.

INTERVIEW: Who would you like Beyoncé to collaborate with?

JUSTIN: Rihanna.

BRYCE: Rihanna would be good. Or Ravyn Lenae.

INTERVIEW: Who do you think “Becky with the good hair” is?

BRYCE: I honestly don’t think “Becky with the good hair” is real. I do think the whole thing is a PR stunt. I wouldn’t be surprised if something happened, but I do think that they turned the whole thing into a three-album—

JUSTIN: Yeah, of course, she’s gonna make her bucks where she can.

INTERVIEW: If you could say one thing to Queen B, what would you say?

JUSTIN: Thank you.