BEYCHELLA: This Was For Us

Beyoncé’s return performance just happened to be the headlining set that she had to skip out on last year due to her pregnancy with her twins, Rumi and Sir. The world anticipated what she would do, but we KNEW that we wouldn't be disappointed. Beyoncé came and sat back down on her throne with a performance that broke all types of records and earned accolades galore. And while we ALL thoroughly enjoyed Beychella, I feel as though Black people enjoyed it much, MUCH more.

“Coachella, thank y’all for letting me be the first Black woman to headline Coachella. Ain’t that bout a bitch!”

The first Black woman to headline Coachella. That’s a crazy concept to me. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival inaugural weekend was back in 1999. While there may not have been scores of Black women who could be deemed headliners in the past 19 years, I know Janet Jackson should have had the honor at least once. Beyoncé took this platform and this lifetime chance and let loose on one of the world’s biggest stages. She gave us a sneak peek of the On The Run II tour by inviting Jay-Z out for “Déjà Vu” AND gave us a Destiny’s Child reunion to die for! But above all else, Beyoncé took that Coachella stage and was as unapologetically Black as she could be.

Beyoncé’s concert production is always over the top because of the performer that she is, she is always going to give a great show. The lights warm and on the stage, we see two sets of tiered bleachers with stairs down the center; these bleachers are sky high because a full-fledged brass marching band sat in its seats. The acoustics of the band itself set the tone for her performance and I knew we were in for a treat.

With a familiarity of high school football games and collegiate social life, Beyoncé created and introduced us to BΔK. It seemed to be a fraternity that Beyoncé founded and ran alongside her female backup dancers because obviously girls run the world AND fraternities. It was as though I was attending an HBCU within the set, and it provided a glimpse into a culture that not many people without color would get a chance to see. Beyoncé provided a probate-like interlude, crammed with all the stepping and chants that one would expect to see on the yard.

She even took time out to mix “Drunk in Love” with “Swag Surfin,” the unofficial song of Black celebration – it’s actually a part of some HBCU commencement ceremonies.

Beyoncé’s performance also paid homage to those who came before. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was blended into “Formation.” Malcolm X’s words were woven into her set. And Nina Simone’s “Lilac Wine” was used as a transition while performing “Drunk in Love.”

But nothing was more breathtaking than Beyoncé’s group of majorettes dressed in bodysuits painted as Tutankhamun. And Beyoncé, the drum major dressed as Nefertiti herself, dripping in a metallic covered robe and staff in hand striding confidently and effortlessly towards the stage. She was giving us melanin from throughout history!

Beyoncé’s performance was an HBCU homecoming and I LIVED for it. It’s been so refreshing to see our representation on a platform where it is normally never shown. I want nothing more than to see this continue within our culture. Beyoncé once again steps it up and becomes our Beychella Homecoming Queen.