source; http://www.myweku.com/2011/02/beyonce-courts-controversy-with-black-face-photo-shoot/

As usual the musician whose parentage is racially mixed is facing criticisms from those who find the magazine’s cover offensive. Anyone who has followed Beyoncé’s career closely perhaps knows that she is likely to have agreed for the photo shoot to be done not out of mockery to Africans but perhaps more out of making an artistic statement.

What do you think?

As a non African American I know that there is a bitter history behind black face. Therefore I am not sure how Beyonce who is actually an African American did not take this into consideration when she agreed to wear black face as an "artisitic" endevour.

Plus the picture is supposedly paying tribute to Fela Kuti and honoring African Queens. Really!?! What exactly about these pictures is honoring Fela or Africa?
Do Africans only come in one skin shade or are there really no Africans that are the same complexion as Beyonce?
Does Beyonce who is AFRICAN American need for only her face to be painted black to honor African Queens?
Are there no dark models who could be used for the shoot instead of darkening her face?

To pretend that this was done as an artistic expression is quite ludicrous.
Personally I think she did it because she would be paid good money. Get more exposure although she already has plenty. And stir up  controversy, which is good  for business. Because in the entrainment industry publicity, whether negative or positive publicity is publicity.

^^^ well said. There are many pretty, young, black, beautiful, dark skinned model. I try not to pay attention to these things, I find them annoying.

I guess the use of the blackface theme was just a bold move to rid us all of all those archaic beliefs of the evils of "blackface" itself. There was a time 'black' models (of any shade) would never dream of being on the cover of mainstream magazines. Beyonce has taken it further with this move.

Either that, or these people have run out of ideas and want to simply add shock value to their tasteless cover shoot