Beyoncé started the 94th Academy Awards with a beautiful performance of her Oscar-nominated track “Be Alive” from King Richard. It was taped in Compton, California. The Place Where Serena and Venus Williams developed their tennis prowess. Beyoncé’s beautifully orchestrated performance at the Oscars was a home run. While Beyoncé’s performances are always memorable, this one was especially so because of some really thoughtful elements. Here’s a recap of what you might have missed.
The Performance Of Beyoncé Was A Film In Itself
The singer was not singing there at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Surprisingly but on the tennis courts in the Compton district of Los Angeles, where Venus and Serena Williams grew up. (The tennis champion sisters welcomed her at the start of the show)
The performance began with a shot of three young ladies approaching the court, two holding racquets and one riding a horse, alluding to the Compton Cowboys. Randy Hook and his buddies take to the streets to introduce the neighborhood’s kids to the centuries-old tradition of Black cowboy culture.
Tennis ball green is trendy, right? In a not-so-subtle allusion to Williams’ sport, Beyoncé and her backing singers and players were all dressed in lime green with white stripes from head to toe. Even the instruments were matching in color.
Along with the tennis-inspired clothing, several of the artists on the field with Beyoncé had beaded braided hairstyles. It was something the Williams sisters were chastised for early in their careers.
The Unprecedented Cameo
Not only did Beyonce imitate Tupac Shakur’s “California Love” for a brief minute at the start of the song, but the orchestra quickly follows with a lick from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.” As the concert came to a close, eagle-eyed fans saw Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s oldest daughter — and relatively regular contributor — Blue Ivy Carter, 10, smiling front and center.
Who Else Performed Live At The Event?
Other contenders in the best original music category who performed at the live event, in addition to Beyonce and Eilish, included Reba McEntire, who played Somehow You Do from Four Good Days. Diane Warren is the author of the song. This isn’t his first time at the Academy Awards. In addition, during the 1991 Academy Awards, McEntire sang the song I’m Checkin’ Out from Postcards From the Edge. Sebastián Yatra performed Dos Oruguitas from the Disney animated film Encanto.
According to a Pitchfork article, Van Morrison was also requested to sing his shortlisted Down to Joy from Belfast. Though owing to his tour schedule, he was unable to attend.
The event will feature performances by the All-Star Band, directed by bandleader Adam Blackstone, in addition to the candidates. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, percussionist and vocalist Sheila E., and pianist Robert Glasper are among the members of the all-star band. During the show, DJ D-Nice will also play.
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