WATCH: Beyoncé turned Coachella into #Beychella and put on ‘for the culture’
Beyoncé just gave everyone, especially Black women, more to buzz about. This year, Coachella, the celebrated, historically white music and arts festival of nearly 20 years, became dubbed “Beychella” as the artistic phenom, businesswoman and humanitarian brought continental African and African American culture, and some comedic relief, to the stage.
And while attendees undoubtedly were the most up-close-and-personal during the star’s performance, millions more were able to stream it live online and tweet their reactions.
Some highlights: Queen Bey performed with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, her former Destiny’s Child band mates. She and her sister Solange Knowles also did a dance-off.
The Houston native paid homage to Fela Kuti, Queen Nefertiti, historically Black colleges and universities, Black Greek life, Black bands and Black dancers, New Orleans and more in the show. Her set cohesively included and centered Black women of every hue and many shapes, a move that more artists should make without performative announcements or tokenism.
Although the headliner could have just celebrated that she was the center of Coachella one year after giving birth to twins, sold out all her merchandise and continued promoting her and Jay-Z’s tour, Beyoncé prodded festival decision-makers to do better by way of Black female representation going forward.
“Thank you for letting me be the first black woman to headline Coachella,” Queen Bey said. “Ain’t that bout a bitch?”
Watch the full performance below!: