Beyoncé Earns VMA Nomination—Without Releasing Music Videos

Beyonce’s midas touch is alive and well.

In an unusual turn of events, Beyoncé has nabbed a Song of the Year nomination at the Video Music Awards for Texas Hold ‘Em” without releasing a single music video in the past few years.

While there’s no doubt that Beyoncé has come a long way from her earlier career days, one thing that hasn’t changed is her ability to put out visually compelling works of art curated to leave a lasting impression and secure her reputation, not just as an artist but as a musical heirloom.

Queen Bey first made her music video debut with the iconic 1997 music video to Destiny’s Child’s “No, No, No,” a body of work that was well-received and followed up by her debut as the lead in the musical Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001). However, it would be her first music video as a solo artist for “Crazy in Love” featuring Jay-Z that would set her up as a trailblazer who had mastered the art of music video storytelling.

To date, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer has grossed over $2.5 billion worldwide at the box office, and her music videos are so compelling that each time she releases music that her fans hold out hope —and speculation—for the visuals, a ritual that has become a part of the Bee Hive matriarch’s music rollout.

Traditionally, VMA nominations have been heavily influenced by visually stunning and creatively ambitious music videos, and artists who have poured their time, effort, and resources into creating these masterpieces are rewarded.

Ironically, every other artist nominated in the same category had an official music video for the nominated song, except Bey, but because she has successfully crafted a legacy, similar to Michael Jackson, that has left a lasting impression on fans and critics, she seems perfectly well-positioned for the VMA nod. But it’s not just her music videos that have earned her a reputation as a great artist; even her live performances have taken on a life of their own, earning her a reputation as one of the greatest visual storytellers of her time. She truly set this precedent in stone with the self-titled album Beyoncé, and since then, she hasn’t stopped.

Below are three takeaways we can learn from Beyoncé’s nomination, they are the following:

1. A Solid Reputation Can Influence Future Opportunities

Beyoncé’s ability to earn a VMA nomination without a new music video did not just happen in a vacuum. In fact, it can be seen as the product of a domino effect and how far-reaching her reputation as a curator of excellence is.

Over the years, the Texas native has built a brand synonymous with careful thought, creativity, and authenticity. One just has to look at a documentary like Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé to see the number of hours she pours into perfecting her craft. Like a baker, Queen Bey meticulously pores over each detail until the result is a perfectly baked output.

This reputation has not only ensured that her work is always eagerly anticipated but also that most times, she receives recognition even when it diverges from traditional paths. This is the importance of creating a strong personal brand and reputation that consistently delivers high-quality work, leading to opportunities and recognition that might not be immediately obvious or conventional.

2. Innovation And Adaptability Are Important Keys To Longevity

Beyoncé has been on the music scene for over three decades. Even though Jay-Z declared in 2003 that he had the “hottest chick in the game wearing his chain” in reference to Beyoncé, that statement still rings true today.

Although the music industry is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and techniques changing how artists connect with their fans, Beyoncé has remained a relevant part of the pop culture conversation and has earned the respect and admiration of her fans. For career success and longevity, embracing innovation and pivoting new opportunities can lead to longevity.

3. Authentic Engagement Is Better Than Traditional Metrics

Because we live in an increasingly interconnected world, people crave authenticity, and Beyoncé’s live performance nomination highlights the power of genuine engagement. Traditional metrics like album sales and music video views are no longer the sole indicators of success, but instead, connecting with audiences through live performances and well thought-out visual translations of music are the way forward.

Since 2006, music fans have been able to vote for their favorite artists and have been able to have a say in who goes home as a winner in every category. The fact that Beyoncé’ still scored a nomination speaks volumes, not just to her star power, but the fact that fans trust her art and value her brand’s consistency.

For professionals, this shows the value of engaging authentically with their audience or customer base and building a foundation of trust and respect, which can translate to recognition and success, sometimes even beyond the status quo.