Beyonce has given everyone a huge surprise by dropping her new single Formation on Tidal as a free download on her artist page.

She co-owns the streaming service with husband Jay Z and Rihanna, to name a few.

The song was released as a gift to her fans – no subscription to Tidal is required.

Beyonce has released formation on Tidal
Beyonce has released Formation on Tidal (YouTube/Beyonce)

The Bootylicious star, who is on the bill for the Super Bowl’s half-time show alongside Coldplay and Bruno Mars, also released the video on YouTube.

The visually strong promotional film contains references to America’s Black Lives Matter movement, which grew out of the 2014 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri by policeman Darren Wilson.

And at one point, the star is depicted lying on top of a police car in a flooded area of New Orleans.

Graffiti reading “Stop shooting us” is also visible on a wall.

But it’s not all grim.

Easily the most adorable part of the video is the sight of Beyonce’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter dancing to the beat.

There is now speculation that Beyonce, who headlined the Super Bowl half-time show in 2013 in New Orleans, may perform Formation for Super Bowl 50.