In reply to Common Sense.

I am always surprised when Beyoncé gets praised for her contributions to music. From my perspective, Beyoncé is just about as robotic and uncompelling as Britney Spears’ lobotomized-but-programmed-to-perform-since-childhood brand. But because of Beyoncé's affiliation with Jay-Z, she has somehow been able to cultivate an ‘authentic brand’ in a way that actually dehumanizes her. There have always been signs of Beyoncé's career-driven-yet-disconnected nature, but it went over the top when she used her pregnancy announcement as an attempt to create a definitive cultural moment. Rihanna can just be a singer who splatters her vocals on catchy songs and never asks us to take her too seriously.