There's always much to be amazed by when watching a performance from Beyoncé. Her performance stamina, production quality, incredible choreography and stellar vocals leave nothing to the imagination.
Beyoncé is the greatest living entertainer, and her recent Coachella performance — arguably her best to date — further solidified what most of us already knew. The genius "HBeyCU" concept tied together elements of black culture that celebrate us, and the meticulous arrangement of her famous hits build a canon occupied with works all of her own.
As agonizing as this most recent period of "Beyhydration" was for Beyoncé's fans, the year-long wait turned out to be the blessing we never even realized we needed. "I was supposed to perform at Coachella before, but I ended up getting pregnant,” she chuckled along with her jovial audience. "So I had time to dream and dream and dream with two beautiful souls in my belly," she continued, "and I dreamed up this performance."
"Beychella", as DJ Khaled officially dubbed it during her performance, was the ultimate Beyoncé experience for a multitude of reasons.
- It was yet another massive American event in which Beyoncé's performance was a celebration of African-American culture (see: Superbowl 50).
- It featured 100 dancers, a live marching band and an iconic ode to Greek life.
- Jay-Z made a surprise appearance for "Déjà Vu," and Solange performed the extended version of "Get Me Bodied."
- The DC3 reunion we had all been begging for finally happened.
- The set list and song arrangements were phenomenal.
“Thank you Coachella for allowing me to be the first black woman to headline," she said toward the end of her set. "Ain't that about a bitch?" Her fearless leadership onstage was exhibited with how well she injected themes of powerful feminism and unapologetic blackness. She led an army of male dancers once again, including fan favorites, Les Twins. Her iconic troupe of female dancers slayed the stage, as well.
The entire set was an ode to Beyoncé's own tenure in the music industry, which charts her growth and development as part of a girl group and a solo artist. One of the best things about Beyoncé is knowing her spoken promise of 100 percent delivery; she pours her entire soul into her performances, and it shows. Her set lists are indicative of her evolution as they feature the gems we all know and love but always receive in new and innovative ways.
Hits like "Crazy in Love," "Run the World," and "Drunk in Love" have seen many iterations over the course of the past few years, but with the heart and soul of the blaring horns of black musicians, the songs become culturally groundbreaking. Majorettes, steppers and a drumline added to the authentic HBCU feel.
This moment was only heightened with appearances by Jay-Z (after having announced their joint On the Run II tour this summer), Destiny's Child (after seeing them perform together last in 2013) and Solange (because why not?).
Beyoncé has a firm grip on her own career trajectory, but her Coachella performance shows that she's in a space as an artist where she doesn't have to segment her identity to appeal to separate audiences. Her command and in-demand status puts her in control. She can afford to vocalize her politics, her vulnerability, her strength and her flaws all onstage and have it look so easy.
That is why she's the reigning queen.
