Lights, Runway, Slay! Written, directed, and produced by Queen Bey herself, this is “Homecoming: The Ultimate HBCU Experience.” As you may know, Mrs. Carter postponed her performance for the 2017 Coachella music festival due to her pregnancy.
However, post-pregnancy, she was determined to give her loyal Beyhive a performance they will never forget. “Beychella,” her Coachella 2018 performance, rocked the nation as Beyoncé decided to spice up Coachella and educate them on culture. Being the first black woman to headline Coachella, she decided it was time for the ultimate HBCU experience.
In her new Netflix documentary, “Homecoming,” the Beyhive gets an exclusive look into how the infamous “Beychella” performance developed. Not only do you witness the setup, you also get to feel the dedication, humbleness, and hard work portrayed behind the scenes.
Throughout the film, you feel every sweat, blood and tear behind the development of the show. Beyoncé even dives out of her comfort zone and breaks down dance/vocal rehearsals to four-month periods each!
Including cameos from Jay-Z, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, her twins Rumi and Sir, Blue Ivy, Solange, Chloe X Halle, the queen showcases her importance of her family being by her side and how unity within the black community is of importance.
Voice overs from Danai Gurai and Tessa Thompson also leave a powerful “Black Girl Magic” effect. However, it doesn’t stop there. Not only did she have an all-black crew, dance, band, and backing vocal group, Beyoncé also hand-selected actual students from multiple HBCUs to perform! If that isn’t for the culture, then I don’t know what is!
Here are some quotes from other important figures throughout history included in the “Homecoming” doc:
“If you surrender to the air, you can ride it.” – Toni Morrison (Howard University, Class of 1953)
“Our mothers and grandmothers…moving to music not yet written.” – Alice Walker (Spelman College, Class of 1965).
No matter whether you adore the performance over the process or vice versa, I assure you that you’ll remember the story and feel celebrated. In the meantime, live by these words from the Queen herself, “Rejoice in the imperfections and the wrongs that are so damn right!”
