Music
8 Wig-Snatching, Unapologetically Black Moments From Beyoncé's Historic Performance At Coachella
Beyoncé became the first black woman artist to headline the California music festival.
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1. The lit HBCU-style band and stepping was everything
The Houston singer's showmanship is unmatched. While making history at Coachella, she also paid homage to historically black colleges and university (HBCU) bands that have been known to show up and show out. She brought a marching band of her own that was vital to her historic performance.
Many were also quick to notice her nod at black fraternities and sororities with the Bug-A-Boos and the many step performances throughout the show.
SUUUUUUUCK ON MY BAAAALLS BICHHHHH. 💃💃💃💃 #beychellapic.twitter.com/tu8OEck1lB
— #StyleConsciousGents (@TUMELQ) April 15, 2018'
Beyoncé's colors are black and yellow because of the bee motif and because she's QUEEN BEY. ALSO black and gold are the colors for the Alphas —the first black fraternity—because she's the first black woman to headline Coachella.
— Dani Kwateng-Clark (@danikwateng) April 15, 2018'
LEVELS. I"M SHOOKETH. GOOD-NIGHT. #Beychella pic.twitter.com/fIMtUUu9hh
'
2. She sang the black national anthem for the culture
'Lift every voice and sing
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 15, 2018'
Till earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies
of liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies
Let it resound
loud as the rolling seapic.twitter.com/Sii6iozITw
3. Destiny's Child reunited and it felt so good
'ICYMI: Destiny’s Child Reunion at #Beychella pic.twitter.com/NkiVTs8Pc2
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 15, 2018'
4. Her queen-like entrance snatched edges
The camera sets its focus on a badass woman drummer and then swoops past a few dancers to finally reveal Queen Bey in all of her glory. Beyoncé proves yet again that she is one of the greatest entertainers alive with this entrance that set the tone for what was to come.
'ICYMI: Beyoncé also gave us the blackest performance entrance I’ve ever seen.#BeyChella #Coachella2018 pic.twitter.com/L4CdHqjDXQ
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) April 15, 2018'
5. Solange came through to drop it low with her sis
Beyoncé and Solange dancing to Get Me Bodied. I never knew how much I needed this until now. I love these legendary sisters. #BeyChella pic.twitter.com/qptNpH7iNj
— . (@goddessyonce) April 15, 2018'
6. Bey and Jay gave us all "Déjà Vu"
'Beyoncé and Jay-Z performing Deja Vu. I love their chemistry. This song will forever be a bop #BeyChella pic.twitter.com/8AajdvPkLX
— . (@goddessyonce) April 15, 2018'
7. She paid homage to Nina Simone and Malcolm X
'BEY GAVE US VOCALS. CHOREO. LOOKS. CULTURE (NEW ORLEANS & HBCU BAND LIFE) HISTORY (NINA SIMONE) BITCH SHE SWAG SURFED AND BACKED THAT ASS UP. I DONT WANNA HEAR NOBODY SAY SHIT ABOUT SHIT #BEYCHELLA #BEYPHIBEY pic.twitter.com/avUp3N2qp9
— 𝒞. (@xocvbox) April 15, 2018'
8. She reminded everyone that in Coachella's nearly 20-year history she's the first black woman to headline
"Thank you for allowing me to be the first black woman to headline Coachella,” she said midway through her performance, before adding:
“Ain’t that ’bout a bitch.”