Beyonce
“B’DAY”
RATING: 3 SOUND LEVELS
Instead of sticking to the formula of her 2003 mega-hit debut, “Dangerously in Love,” the high-glamor Beyonce steps into unglamorous territory on her follow-up. The backing track for “Get Me Bodied” is formed almost entirely of interlocked clicks, handclaps and vocal exclamations. “Suga Momma” is built on a scratchy sample of gutbucket funk blues, while Pharrell contributes the spare “Green Light” and a quirky “Kitty Kat.” Where her debut seemed eager to please, these songs just sound like fun for Beyonce. Some of the experiments don’t click, but by reconfiguring and repurposing century-spanning components of black music, she’s aligned herself more with Gnarls Barkley than Mary J. Blige, and if she’s risking a drop-off in hits, she’s gained an artistic high ground in return.
![Residents and taxpayers of Barrington School District 220 rated safety and security, and a new auditorium at Barrington High School, as priorities for the school district, officials learned as community input was collected in preparation for a potential multi-million-dollar referendum that would be placed on the ballot in the November election. The data was shared with school board members April 2 by EO Sullivan Consulting, which was hired by the district to collect community feedback through phone and online surveys, four public engagement sessions and referendum advisory committee meetings. Information had been collected in three phases and began earlier this […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PPN-L-bcr-district-220-feferend-002.jpg?w=390 "Residents and taxpayers of Barrington School District 220 rated safety and security, and a new auditorium at Barrington High School, as priorities for the school district, officials learned as community input was collected in preparation for a potential multi-million-dollar referendum that would be placed on the ballot in the November election. The data was shared with school board members April 2 by EO Sullivan Consulting, which was hired by the district to collect community feedback through phone and online surveys, four public engagement sessions and referendum advisory committee meetings. Information had been collected in three phases and began earlier this […]")
![For nearly a decade, the “Black Teen Empowerment Summit” in Township High School District 214 has included students from across the six-school district who take part in what has become an annual tradition. This year, the summit was held April 19 at Rolling Meadows High School, and featured motivational speakers and inspirational activities with goals according to organizers, to promote belonging, personal appreciation, wellness and self awareness. Principal Megan Kelly said approximately 150 students attended from across the district. The Arlington Heights-based school district has nearly 12,000 students, with 49% of them of minority heritage – including 2% African-American. “I […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PPN-L-AHP-Black-Teen-Summit-12.jpg?w=526 "For nearly a decade, the “Black Teen Empowerment Summit” in Township High School District 214 has included students from across the six-school district who take part in what has become an annual tradition. This year, the summit was held April 19 at Rolling Meadows High School, and featured motivational speakers and inspirational activities with goals according to organizers, to promote belonging, personal appreciation, wellness and self awareness. Principal Megan Kelly said approximately 150 students attended from across the district. The Arlington Heights-based school district has nearly 12,000 students, with 49% of them of minority heritage – including 2% African-American. “I […]")