You can't talk about the history of house music — and honestly, most of the dance genre — without paying homage to 1980s ballroom culture and Black queer trailblazers of the time. Before its association with white male DJs, the genre originated with queer communities during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and the sound and culture heavily influenced Beyoncé's latest album, "Renaissance."
The album's hit single, "Break My Soul," featured vocals from New Orleans bounce artist Big Freedia that derived from their 2014 song "Explode." The artist is largely credited with popularising bounce music, which is heard throughout "Renaissance." But the album wasn't the rapper's first time working with Queen Bey. If their voice sounds familiar, you've probably also listened to them exclaim that they are here to slay in Beyoncé's empowerment anthem "Formation."
Other queer Black women, including Syd, Honey Dijon, Grace Jones, and Ts Madison, were also involved in "Renaissance"'s creation. In Beyoncé's speech at the 2023 Grammys — accepting the award for best dance/electronic music album and making history in the process — she said, "I'd like to thank the queer community for your love and for inventing this genre."
Image Source: Getty / Prince Williams Keith Hamshere Mason Poole Parkwood Media