On the album teaser, “Bow Down,” Beyonce` made it a point to say “I took some time to live my life, but I’m not just his little wife” to remind everyone that even though she’s madly in love with her rapper/mogul husband, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, no one will limit the definitions of her identity or life roles. Over the span of their roughly 12 year relationship, the couple has intently kept their personal life personal and their professional lives as such, only mixing their brands long enough to do a few song collaborations. I find this to be brilliant, as all too often women become so enmeshed with their mates, they don’t know who they are or have a sense of purpose outside of the relationship and have to start from the ground-up should the relationship end. Despite this and all of Beyonce’s many individual accomplishments, some people still attribute her success to the man standing beside her (gotta love gender bias). With Beyonce` clearly being aware of how quickly people will underestimate her based on the ring on her finger, I can’t understand for the life of me why she would name her tour (and, according to rumors, her album) “The Mrs. Carter Show.” After sweating hard to build an empire on her own name since before she was old enough to drive, she’s picked a title that doesn’t reflect that? 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of her 1st solo single, “Crazy in Love,” and album, “Dangerously in Love.” It would be awesome and celebratory to build her promotional campaign around that, especially with Pepsi at the helm, but no, you’re going to put focus on your marital status. Hell, if we’re going to name the tour and album after someone else, let’s call it the “BeyHive Tour,” because after all, that’s who she’s putting the show on for anyway. 

This morning, Beyoncè officially got her Pepsi ball (the star has a new million-dollar sponsorship and endorsement deal with the soda giant) rolling with an official 1-minute "Live For Now" commercial that debuts her reported 1st single from her forthcoming album. The ad wasn't of Michael Jackson epic proportions, but anyone who has followed the Queen Bey's career will find sheer delight in it as she quite literally 'reflects' on her past and faces off with former versions of herself, concluding with "Embrace your past, but live for now." What you hear of her new track is a bouncy, urban beat with international influence that might remind you of 2011's "Run the World," but it's much more catchy and attractive. A full version of the song is rumored to be released on Monday. Watch and love the commercial below.

By Eddie J., contributing writer
When you’re at the top of your game with few blemishes or scandals, people start to wait for you to slip up. It’s clear that’s the case with Beyonce`, considering the ridiculous frenzy her singing on top of a track at President Obama’s 2nd inauguration caused. Despite that so-called “blunder,” Beyonce` is about to begin a sold-out tour without a new album out. Here are 5 things Beyonce` would have to do if she really wanted to flush her career down her gold and marble toilet. This list started out as satirical, but when you think it about it, it could really apply.

#5 Release an Album of "Bow Down"-esque Music
In light of the new sampler, hype has surrounded the "King B's" name as promo for her upcoming album continues. Although some of the Bees are living, I honestly don't think any fan of hers could endure an entire album or concert of Rihanna-styled club anthems. We know she's gonna have ballads and blah blah blah, but if every other track consisted of something as ratchet as the teaser, people would live for a week, only to live in the glory days of "4" the following week later. But this would only be the beginning of the end. After she releases an album of crappy hood anthems, Beyonce` would have to...

#4 Start Having "Accidental" Body Exposure
Nipple slips on Good Morning America, naked pictures or videos of her and Jay-Z conceiving their next child Red Oak, hell, even Instagram bathroom pictures of her mooning the world would start to build icing on the cake, cake, cake, cake. The snowball would only get bigger, not because we view her as an innocent virgin who gave immaculate birth to Blue Ivy in a lowly Texas manger, but because legends who didn't become such by being trashy don't usually mix well with audiences when their trashiness ensues. Sure, Madonna can flash audiences while on stage, but that's because she's been doing that since she started. Beyonce` couldn't afford to cross over into the depths of "MediaTakeOut chic" as a mother and icon in the making at age 31. Especially since she's now managing herself; without a Mathew Knowles (AKA "Knowl-ivia Pope") figure in her corner, it would probably be impossible for her to turn that into a PR positive. I mean think about it, if someone like Celine Dion accidentally exposed themselves in pictures or onstage, do you think all would be forgiven? Case in point, Janet Jackson. Looking at her album sales after her Superbowl “Nipplegate” in 2004, it appears the answer is no. So now that the queen has lost her “good” image appeal, the next thing to do is...