Beyoncé’s first headlining performance at Coachella was an undeniable homage to black culture
As far as we’re concerned, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival just needs to change its name to #Beychella. There, we said it! Beyoncé took to the Coachella stage Saturday, April 14th, where she became the first black woman to headline the event. The first. In 2018.
As expected, Twitter had major reactions to Bey’s history-making appearance. We loved the custom Balmain outfits, the heavy choreography, and (of course) the Destiny’s Child reunion. But there was something else so special about her performance: Beyoncé paid homage to various symbols of black culture, including HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), black leaders, and embracing women of all sizes.
The significance of being the first black woman to headline the stage clearly didn’t go unnoticed by Bey. During the middle of her set, she said to the crowd: “Coachella, thank you for allowing me to be the first black woman to headline. Ain’t that ‘bout a bitch?” So, of course she had to go off and show out and make Coachella regret not making her a headliner sooner.
If you’ve ever been to an HBCU homecoming, then you know it’s a moment. And if you’ve never been, then you’re missing out. The band, the dancers, the costumes … It’s something you’d see during a Super Bowl halftime show. Beyoncé brought this experience — and so much more — to the Coachella stage for the whole world to see and revel in.
Bow down to the Queen.
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Beyonce just took the whole country to an HBCU halftime show. #BEYCHELLA
— Andscape (@andscape) April 15, 2018
In addition to the energy of the HBCU homecoming, Beyoncé beautifully sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the black national anthem.
Beyoncé gave us an #HBCU halftime show, step show , probate, school daze , and the Black National Anthem. Y’all gon' get this black college experience today! #BeyChella pic.twitter.com/rEhNdmoipl
— OohLaLaBlog (@OOHLALABLOG) April 15, 2018
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Beyoncé’s choice of colors were also important. We associate black and yellow with the BeyHive, of course, but there was likely some cultural significance to her Coachella aesthetic.
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.
LEVELS. I"M SHOOKETH. GOOD-NIGHT. #Beychella pic.twitter.com/fIMtUUu9hh
— Dani Kwateng (@danikwateng) April 15, 2018
Some saw it as an homage to Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity (their colors are black and old gold) or to the goddess Oshun, whom Beyoncé has repeatedly referenced in the past.
And in between the costume changes and choreography that left us breathless just watching it, Beyoncé threw in powerful Malcolm X quotes about the protection black women need and deserve, but rarely get.
Beyonce played a Malcom X quote about black women, had her band play Fela Kuti, & sang the black national anthem at COACHELLA. She really didn’t have to do that shit. No matter what u think of her, u gotta put some respeck on her name for the unapologetic blackness of it all
— Lynette the Threat (@nikkiLynette) April 15, 2018
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Our Queen has always embraced her curves, and she shared the stage with curvy dancers who slayed right alongside her!
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Per usual, Beyoncé left us recovering from another killer performance. We’re not worthy!
