Netflix shook the Beyhive on Saturday when its Strong Black Lead Twitter account shared a promotional image that just read “Homecoming” in black text on a yellow background — with no info other than a date. Despite the cryptic message, some Bey Stans were quick to notice the connection to Queen Bey; the typography matched that used on merch sold to commemorate her 2018 Coachella performance, including styling the letter “o” as an omega.
— Tristen J. Winger♉️ (@TristenJWinger) April 7, 2019
COME HOME, QUEEN pic.twitter.com/IxoxwKKsKu
— dawaelyne (@dawaelyne) April 7, 2019
BEYONCÉ??? IS THIS BEYONCÉ??? pic.twitter.com/S6vDLbPqh4
— Nat. (@__Priestly) April 7, 2019
So, what is Homecoming? Were the fans right? Turns out it’s a Beyoncé documentary — it’s both by her and about her, duh — that presents an intimate look at the artist’s historic 2018 Coachella performance, which paid homage to America’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Titled (you guessed it) Homecoming, the doc is interspersed with both candid footage and interviews detailing the preparation and intent behind Bey’s vision, and it traces the road from creative concept to cultural movement.
If you’ve somehow managed to escape clips and commentary about the performance (how Sway?!), all you need to know is that it basically broke the internet and social media, with people around the country waking up in the wee hours of the morning to stream it live. Many viewers and Coachella attendees went so far as to rename the California music festival Beychella.
Check out the trailer below, and get in formation because the film launches globally on Netflix on April 17.
Photo: Netflix