Beyoncé's HBCU Homecoming: A Celebration of Black Culture at Coachella
In the spring of 2018, Beyoncé, already a global pop icon with 22 Grammy Awards, reached a new pinnacle of fame with her performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Coachella, which had evolved from an "anti-Woodstock" event into a cultural phenomenon attracting renowned artists, provided the perfect stage for Beyoncé to deliver a groundbreaking performance that would forever be etched in music history.
On April 14, 2018, Beyoncé took the Coachella stage for a two-hour set that fused elements of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), surprise reunions, and her chart-topping hits. As the first Black woman to headline Coachella, Beyoncé not only showcased her impressive performance and vocal abilities but also seized the opportunity to celebrate African American culture in an unprecedented way.
A History of Surprise Coachella Appearances
Beyoncé's connection to Coachella dates back to 2010 when she joined her husband, rapper Jay-Z, during his headlining set for a duet of "Young Forever." In 2014, she surprised the crowd again, joining her sister, singer Solange, for a choreographed routine to "Losing You." Therefore, the announcement of her own Coachella performance in 2017 seemed inevitable.
However, her highly anticipated performance was postponed due to her pregnancy with twins. While fans were disappointed, Beyoncé confirmed that she would headline the 2018 festival, giving her a year to prepare an even more spectacular show.
The Physical and Creative Transformation
The birth of her twins, Sir and Rumi, in June 2017 significantly altered Beyoncé's body. She admitted feeling disconnected from her physical form. As a performer, she felt compelled to regain control, revealing in her documentary Homecoming that she weighed 218 pounds on the day of her C-section. It wasn't just about weight; she needed to rebuild her strength to return to her peak dancing condition, balancing this with the demands of caring for her newborns.
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With Coachella on the horizon, Beyoncé embarked on a rigorous nutrition plan. On the first day of rehearsals, she weighed 175 pounds and recognized the journey ahead. She followed exercise physiologist Marco Borges' 22 Days Nutrition program for 44 days, eliminating carbs, sugar, dairy, meat, fish, and alcohol. This strict diet, combined with an intense exercise schedule, allowed her to achieve her desired physique.
Beyond her physical transformation, Beyoncé focused on crafting a performance with profound meaning. Having "always dreamed of going to an HBCU," as she stated in Homecoming, she drew inspiration from her visits to Prairie View A&M University, rehearsals at Texas Southern University, and her father's attendance at Fisk University. She had fond memories of the Battle of the Bands marching band showcases.
Beyoncé meticulously recreated the HBCU experience. She personally selected each dancer, every light, the material on the steps, the height and shape of the pyramid. She paid close attention to every detail, aiming for authenticity. She wanted a Black orchestra and steppers, emphasizing the importance of diverse characters and talents.
Honoring Black Culture with Surprise Performances
Beyoncé's Coachella performance reimagined her iconic hits through the lens of an HBCU marching band halftime show. Trumpets, trombones, and nearly 100 dancers, singers, and musicians accompanied her on stage. She incorporated vocal snippets of Malcolm X and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, paid tribute to Nina Simone's "Lilac Wine," and Pastor Troy's "No Mo’ Play in G.A." In a poignant moment, she sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," often referred to as the Black national anthem.
Beyoncé elevated her performance by including prominent guest stars who had played significant roles in her career and life. Jay-Z joined her for "Deja Vu," and Solange appeared on "Get Me Bodied." The most anticipated surprise was a Destiny’s Child reunion. Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, whom Beyoncé referred to as "my sisters," delighted the audience with a medley of their hits, including "Lose My Breath."
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A Performance of Historic Proportions
The magnitude of Beyoncé's performance, which was live-streamed globally and repeated for Coachella's second weekend, surprised even those involved. JaQuel Knight, one of the main choreographers, told The New York Times that they were not expecting it to be "this big of a thing." Ari O’Neal, a University of Maryland guitarist and member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, told NPR that she knew it would be an amazing show, but she didn’t know the impact that it would have.
The performance transformed the Coachella stage into a dynamic representation of Black Southern spaces, reminiscent of Debbie Allen's portrayal of Hillman College in the sitcom A Different World. Allen, a Texas native and Howard University alumna, captured the essence of HBCUs as places of rigorous education, Black cultural heritage, and pride.
The band served as the musical and onstage anchor for the entire performance. The expertly crafted band arrangements revitalized Beyoncé's hit songs, such as "Crazy in Love," "Shining," and "Drunk in Love." Beyoncé incorporated hip-hop band repertoire as breaks in her songs and interludes between hits.
Wardrobe changes acted as mini-halftimes, showcasing other aspects of HBCU culture. After "711," the audience was introduced to the "Bugaboos" of the fictitious Beta Delta Kappa fraternity. The greetings and stepping routines throughout the show were drawn from the traditions of Black Greek fraternities and sororities.
Beyoncé's adoption of "j-Setting," first used in her "Single Ladies" video, was presented in its original context, combined with a marching band. Choreographers Chris Grant and JaQuel Knight used the dance formations to visually anchor the performance. J-setting, named for the "Prancing J-Settes" of HBCU Jackson State University, is an HBCU tradition that inspires fierce competition and admiration.
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Beyoncé reimagined her entire catalog through the lens of HBCU musical culture, allowing the HBCU band tradition to serve as a distiller of Black popular music. From Southern University’s “Human Jukebox” to Tennessee State University’s “Aristocrat of Bands” to Florida A&M University’s “Marching 100,” these bands demonstrate their connection to Black popular music.
Beyoncé's Coachella performance reasserted the Black South as a place of Black liberation that refuses to be ignored.
The Road to Coachella: Preparation and Dedication
Beyoncé's team enlisted the help of several groups to form her 100-member-plus crew, including executive band consultant Don P. Roberts. Roberts, formerly the band director at Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, Georgia, had experience with black band culture, having been involved in the movie Drumline. He assembled the best musicians from HBCUs across the country, keeping the details of the performance a secret until the last moment.
Larry Allen and Dasmyn Grigsby, members of DRUMLine Live, described the grueling work leading up to the performance. Beyoncé was present before they arrived and stayed after they left. Grigsby, who had just quit his day job to pursue music full-time, described the opportunity as a blessing.
Munajj, a Florida A&M University graduate, auditioned separately and was selected as a finalist. She later filled in for a DRUMLine Live drummer, showcasing her dance background and cymbal skills.
The band members emphasized the importance of repetition and precision, which they learned at their respective universities. Allen noted that his experience leading the 350-plus band at Texas Southern University prepared him for the intense rehearsals.
Roberts described the overwhelming response after the performance, with major media outlets and universities reaching out to learn more about the students involved.
The Legacy of Homecoming
Beyoncé's Homecoming documentary on Netflix allows fans to relive her historic Coachella performance. The film highlights the eight months of work, including four months of choreography and four months of rehearsals, that went into the show.
As the first Black woman to headline Coachella, Beyoncé made a deliberate statement about Black beauty, culture, and fortitude. The performance incorporated elements of Southern Black culture, including orchestral sampling of Southern artists and classic marching band fight songs.
To authentically represent HBCU culture, Beyoncé's team enlisted the help of marching band members from across the country. Beyoncé wanted a Black orchestra, steppers, and diverse characters, emphasizing the limitless swag of these young performers.
Members of Beyoncé's band praised her passion and charisma. They described the family atmosphere of rehearsals and the creative input they were allowed to have. They also reflected on the legacy of the performance and its impact on raising awareness of HBCU culture.
The performance has lingered in the minds of the public because it opened the eyes to a lot of individuals who may have not known what HBCUs are or what they're about and the culture they have. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone should try to do if they can.
tags: #hbcu #band #beyonce #coachella
