It was supposed to happen last year. But Beyoncé’s historic headline act was well worth the wait.
This past weekend, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter became the first black woman to headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one year after she was forced to cancel what would have been her inaugural appearance to give birth to twins.
“Coachella, thank you for allowing me to be the first black woman to headline,” she said on-stage before launching into her hit single, "Run the World (Girls)."
Take Action: Educating Girls Strengthens the Global Fight Against Climate Change
The brilliance of her performance was not lost on her fans — nor on other musicians including Chance The Rapper, Janelle Monae, Adele, and her sister, Solange.
“My QUEEN for life . Always . And forever . You continuously make me feel so proud to be a Black woman & artist . Last night was EXCEPTIONAL . We must protect you at all costs !” Monae wrote on Twitter.
“I saw it with my own two eyes,” Chance the Rapper wrote. “Beyoncé is the greatest entertainer to ever live and the Queen of Music.”
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Her headline act was notable not just for the songs she sang, or the reunions she orchestrated, but also for its powerful stage moments that shone a light on black icons past and present.
Queen Bey sampled a Malcolm X quote and repped a Black Panther Party crest, invited a marching band from a historically black college on stage, and honored the late Nina Simone, to name just a few.
Read More: Beyoncé Sends Powerful Message to Women, Mothers, and Daughters From Grammys Stage
Beyoncé, in addition to her empowering stage presence, is also a philanthropist extraordinaire and a Global Citizen.
She has worked with worked with Gucci and CHIME FOR CHANGE (where she’s a co-founder) to bring clean water to people living in poverty in Burundi; spoken out about women’s empowerment at the Grammy’s; and started a scholarship program to help send black women to school.
Global Citizen campaigns on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including goal number five: gender equality. You can join us and take action here.
Here are some of the best reactions to Beyoncé’s legendary performance:
there is nooothing like having a thuu thuuu ❤️ the hug at the end is my mood for the rest of #beychellahttps://t.co/y9a5iLwrSJ
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) April 15, 2018
My QUEEN for life . Always . And forever . You continuously make me feel so proud to be a Black woman & artist . Last night was EXCEPTIONAL . We must protect you at all costs ! 🙌🏾🙏🏿 #BEYCHELLApic.twitter.com/KNsKuDB7gX
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) April 15, 2018
The Blackness that filled this entire performance made this 1000x better #beychellapic.twitter.com/t9QoaFMesk
— Shéa (@Beybroadz) April 15, 2018
I completely forgot that I spoke this into the atmosphere almost two years ago 😱🙌🏽😫 #ThankYouGod#Beyonce#beychella#beyhive#coachellapic.twitter.com/tlYKE7iBh8
— Jamal Moore (@SingJamalSing) April 16, 2018