Taylor Swift's BBMA Performance Draws Beyonce 'Homecoming' Comparisons

Beyonce’s fans, collectively referred to as the “Beyhive” are notoriously protective of their Queen Bey, so it’s probably no surprise that within minutes of Taylor Swift’s Billboard Music Awards performance of her new track, “ME!” the hive was already riled up on Twitter and ready to sting. Taylor performance, which included a marching band, had other stylistic flourishes such as lighting cues that have some Beyonce fans drawing comparisons to Beyonce’s new Netflix special Homecoming and crying foul.

TAYLOR SWIFT JUST BIT TF OUTTA BEYONCE ON THE BILLBOARD AWARDS … I’m 💀😭😭😭💀💀💀💀 where is the beyhive???? pic.twitter.com/hWvRcKK4an

— Jamilah Michelle (@jamilahmichelle) May 2, 2019

Homecoming, of course, documented the creation and performance of Beyonce’s appearance at Coachella in 2018, dubbed “Beychella” by fans, which referenced culture and heritage of historically Black colleges and universities. Some of the touches included sorority jackets and a marching band, two items closely tied in fans’ minds to HBCU culture. So when Taylor appeared on stage with a marching band of her own, just weeks after Homecoming debuted on Netflix — with its live album component appearing at the same time on music streaming services — some fans think the timing is a little more than coincidental.

https://twitter.com/armanihive/status/1123750895630655488?s=09

While Taylor has her defenders, who rightly pointed out Taylor’s appearance as a marching band major in her 2009 video for “You Belong With Me” (which ironically beat out Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” video for Video Of The Year at that year’s MTV VMAs, prompting the infamous Kanye West outburst that set all three artists on their current career trajectories), others have decried the performance as an attempt by Taylor to ride the wave of positive goodwill following Homecoming to promote her upcoming new music. Still others have noted that Beyonce was far from the first performer to make use of a marching band in a live performance, with Madonna, Prince, and Shania Twain’s names all being thrown in the mix.

https://twitter.com/WannasWorld/status/1123753723631677441

Whether or not Taylor intended to pay homage or hijack Beyonce’s buzz, she’s joined the growing list of white, female pop stars accused of using Black culture to their own ends which includes Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and more. Check out more fan responses below.

Taylor Swift using the marching band is all calculated. She knew what conversation that would start. Her whole talentless career has been media manipulation.

Please don’t fall for the bait and award her with a think piece on Black media outlets. That’s what she wants.

— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@DollarBeKnowing) May 2, 2019

https://twitter.com/RealLifeKaz/status/1123782151282024451
https://twitter.com/MrBeeyonceFan/status/1123740610253545473

twitter's wild because there are ppl on here saying Beyoncé didn't invent marching bands and we all saw when she did

— Desus MF Nice💯 (@desusnice) May 2, 2019

https://twitter.com/Ready4Court/status/1123739990842912770

Beyoncé served us Fried Chicken with macaroni and cheese and collard greens with Hamhocks and homemade skillet cornbread

And here come Taylor swift with rotisserie chicken and potato salad with raisins pic.twitter.com/Nh1a4Sv36C

— Jaymar Jackson (@_SenseiJay) May 2, 2019

For everyone saying Taylor Swift "stole" from Beyonce. Slow your beyhive. She was doing the marching band thing nearly a decade ago. https://t.co/ACPqbr7hCd

— Kristen Beatty (@Kbskate) May 2, 2019

Beyoncé gave credit to the inspiration for her performance, which was HBCU culture.

Meanwhile, you’re a 31 year old man who stans Taylor Swift. https://t.co/3ZL4qDeeGi

— Jawn Flick (@kidnoble) May 2, 2019

https://twitter.com/LeslieMac/status/1123763532162531330
https://twitter.com/cuzistan/status/1123749502626799616
https://twitter.com/reputytion/status/1123746882382127104
https://twitter.com/QueenBeyGoddess/status/1123758021958676480