<|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|>Last night’s (February 7) Super Bowl 50 saw an inspired halftime show: Beyonce somehow surpassed impossibly-high expectations with a ferocious performance of her African-American empowerment anthem “Formation," Bruno Mars delivered in equal measure, solid<wm>ly proving that his R&B soul has some timeless and transcendent qualities.

Sitting on stage with thousands of adoring black students and staff at Boston College, he worked it out in flawless rhythmic harmony, redefining the borders of what it's acceptable for black men and their musical expression to be showcased. Although there are some very valid criticisms of the choice of themes - it could easily be argued that his lyrics are overly simplistic. Still as it’s an empowering anthem, it served it’s</wm> purpose with great success.

But overall, this truly transcendent evening was an endorsement of the power of