The Beyoncé effect : essays on sexuality race and feminism Since her late 1990s debut as a member o​f the R&B trio Destiny’s Child Beyoncé Knowles has garnered both praise and criticism. While some consider her an icon of female empowerment others see her as detrimental to feminism and representing a negative image of women of color. Her music has a decidedly pop aesthetic yet her power house vocals and lyrics focused on issues like feminine independence healthy sexuality and post partum depression give her songs dimension and substance beyond typical pop fare. This collection of new essays presents a detailed study of the music and persona of Beyoncé arguably the world’s biggest pop star. Topics include the body politics of respectability; feminism empowerment and gender in Beyoncé’s lyrics; black female pleasure; and the changing face of celebrity motherhood.