The Story Behind Beyonce's Single-Look Music Videos: 'Drunk In Love' And 'XO'
A still from Beyonce's "Drunk In Love" music video.
Photo: Sony Records
We are now embarking on Day 5 of Beyonce's 2013 wig snatch album release heard 'round the world. Just in case you were involved in some sort of experiment that had you cut-off from all humanity over the weekend, let me bring you up to speed. Without any promotion or warning, King Bey dropped a 14-track, 17-video visual album at midnight on December 13 via iTunes. She blew minds and shattered records, and yes, we are STILL talking about it!
Most of the music videos are still relegated behind the wall of iTunes where you need to drop some coin ($14.99 to be exact) to watch them, which IMHO is totally worth it because (A) cultural currency, (B) Beyonce, and (C) there are SO MANY OUTFITS you need to see to believe. Yesterday, Bey offered up her music videos for "Drunk In Love" and her new single "XO," giving you a taste of what you might be missing if you haven't copped the album yet. Funnily enough, those are also the only two videos on Bey's self-titled project that feature her in just one look. YOU GOTTA EARN THOSE WARDROBE CHANGES, Y'ALL!
A still from Beyonce's "Drunk In Love" video.
Photo: Sony Records
Both "Drunk In Love" and "XO" were styled by Lysa Cooper, who's worked with Beyonce for years, including on the Destiny's Child video for "Bootylicious." Cooper told Pret-a-Reporter that she was invited by Bey's longtime stylist, Ty Hunter, to style a few of the videos. She also worked on "Jealous," the colorful "Blow," and the supermodel-boasting "Yonce," but revealed "Drunk In Love," which features Mr. Carter (aka Jay Z), was her favorite.
A still from Beyonce's "Drunk In Love" video.
Photo: Sony Records
Shot on a private beach near Miami, the black-and-white video shows Beyonce writhing around in the water and sand in an Eres bathing suit straight outta the '90s (actually, though, it's vintage), a Wendy Nichol dress, and gobs of Jennifer Fisher jewelry. Cooper revealed to Pret-a-Porter that she had originally queued up three different outfits for Beyonce, but when Hov saw her in this one, he said, "You're wearing that the whole time." DAWWW!!!
A still from Beyonce's "Drunk In Love" video.
Photo: Sony Records
In fact, the video even features a shot of Jigga reacting to the idea of Bey changing. JKJKJK, but we can dream, right?
A still from Beyonce's "XO" music video.
Photo: Sony Records
Cooper said that Team Beyonce typically calls her in for styling "sexy" and not for "the beauty stuff." For example, remember that steamy GQ cover shoot Bey did with the teeny tiny football half-shirt just ahead of her Super Bowl halftime performance earlier this year? That was Cooper. And it's actually because of that shoot that Cooper ended up working on "XO." "I did a GQ cover with Terry Richardson...last February for the Super Bowl issue," she shared, "so when they were thinking about using Terry [to direct the video], they were like, 'Let's call Lysa.'"
A still from Beyonce's "XO" video.
Photo: Sony Records
We caught a peek of Bey's wardrobe for "XO" back in late August when she and a lively crew were spotted raising hell in Coney Island. BK hit BK (see what I did there?) in a Gypsy Warrior mesh bralette ($28) worn under a T by Alexander Wang tank top ($75), yellow almond-shaped nails, and gobs of gold (including this ill Jennifer Fisher choker, which we NEED). Brooklyn's finest, Biggie, made a cameo via Bey's trucker hat, but he wasn't the only special guest. See that smiling gentleman to Bey's left? That's her stylist, Ty Hunter!
A still from Beyonce's "XO" video.
Photo: Sony Records
Model Jourdan Dunn also makes a cameo, screaming and being spooked in a haunted house ride with Mrs. Carter-Knowles (less face-time than her "Yonce" feature, but still noteworthy).
A still from Beyonce's "XO" video.
Photo: Sony Records
AND blink and you might've missed it. This pair of canoodling cuties caught by Terry's lens is none other than Heron Preston of Been Trill notoriety and baddie multi-hyphenate Ruth Gruca.
A still from Beyonce's "XO" music video.
Photo: Sony Records
The B.I.G. snapback may remain fairly elusive, but if you're looking to cop Bey's simple-yet-sexy look from "XO," both the bralette and the tank are available for purchase (for now). PLUS, if you take a close look at Bey's online merch shop, she's hooking the BeyHive up with a way to cop that light-up bow headband (and at a cool $15, no less)! ALL HAIL THE BENEVOLENT QUEEN KING BEY!
+ BEYONCE'S 'DRUNK IN LOVE' MUSIC VIDEO
+ BEYONCE'S 'XO' MUSIC VIDEO
