Coachella will never be the same after Beyonce’s iconic performance. Her history-making set was two years in the making and the millions who witnessed it (whether live or online) were happy she had those years too, as she said: “dream this up.” It was very evident that she had a plan, a lesson plan that some say Coachella was not ready for. Nevertheless, everyone (myself included) got in formation for a great performance. What was not expected was the stellar performance interwoven with a lesson in black culture spanning the African continent and across the diaspora.

What were the lessons Beyonce brought to Coachella?

Beyonce had her audience with their mental pen and notepad out from the moment she descended like a Queen from atop what seemed like a sea of yellow and brass. Royally draped in a sequined cape embroidered with a large image of Nefertiti, an ancient Egyptian Queen, was a sign of something more. From her crest with symbols of black power and liberation, the incredible HBCUs stepping and marching bands, her homage to Fela Kuti, to the inclusion of samples and quotes from Malcolm X, Chimamanda Ngozi and Nina Simone, Beyonce used her platform to educate her audience on the glory and struggles of black culture wrapped in a spectacular two hour performance.

Important lessons of correct representation and the upliftment of black culture were taught and I could not get enough of it on my computer screen.

It was a cultural moment in time that meant a lot to the black diaspora and as the first black woman to headline Coachella, Beyonce made no bones about how crucial it was to her as well. As her dozens of beret-wearing dancers and band members electrified the stage, Beyonce gave young black talent a chance to really shine. Her Coachella class essentially was a lesson in self-confidence and solidarity for those who have been denied it historically because of their color and gender.

Although many might debate her title as Queen and claim she is overly marketed and polished, her reach and impact cannot be denied. The truth is what Beyonce aims to communicate in her performances and music would not have the same impact if she did it on a lesser scale. Her stance is not just for the glitz of entertainment but a cultural, social and political lesson for those who don’t understand the importance and would not hear it otherwise, as well as a celebration for those who do. And for that, she is a Queen in the eyes of millions who feel underrepresented and overlooked.

As the daughter of the late Queen Mother of South Africa Winnie Mandela said in a tribute to her mother: “the battle of our freedom was not some picnic that you arrived armed with your best behavior…” Similarly, Beyonce's lesson plan would not have been as effective if she were on her "best behavior" last Saturday night.

Thankfully, Coachella gave her the opportunity to make one of the biggest nights in the history of music that will not be soon forgotten.
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