Beyonce makes a political statement at the Superbowl Half Time Show with nod to Malcolm X

The superstar had backing dancers dressed as armed rights group the Black Panthers

Queen Bey and her dancers at the Super Bowl

Beyonce made a big political statement at this year's Super Bowl Half Time show.

The Formation hitmaker , who surprised everyone by dropping her new single and video at the weekend, had backing dancers dressed as members of armed rights group the Black Panthers.

While whipping their hair and stomping in incredible heels, they formed an 'X' on the field - a nod to black rights campaigner Malcolm X.


Twitter users felt the singer taught viewers more than they bargained for with her performance and new video, with one writing: "Beyoncé just gave America a Black history lesson this week. Black panthers, Hurricane Katrina, police brutality, Afro beauty...come on B!"


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  Queen Bey's dancers at the Halftime Show


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  Beyonce performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show

Another posted: "Beyoncé's dancers paying homage to the Black Panthers at the Superbowl wins Black History Month. # SB50."

Her new song is thought to be a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement and Bey's mum Tina Knowles also shared pics of her with the dancers giving the black power salute.

Beyonce's politically-charged music video features graffiti reading 'stop shooting us' with white police lining up against a black youngster.


Instagram Beyone's mum with her dancers backstage

Other scenes show Bey in a flooded New Orleans, after George Bush was accused of 'not caring about black people' following Hurricane Katrina as he failed to get relief aid to people quick enough.

Lyrics include: "You might just be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay . I might just be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay."

Formation is Bey's first since her Beyoncé: Platinum Edition was released in November 2014.