I’m not screaming, you’re screaming.
Jesus, be a balaclava, because the Carters have not come to play with you heaux. On Wednesday night, Bey and Jay opened their On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, Wales, and I’m sure they sounded great, but baby ...
Can we talk about the lewks?
Goddamn, goddamn, goddamn! The couple opened the show shining: Jay-Z (or, as The Root’s weekend social media editor, Corey Townsend, refers to him, “that man”) standing tall in a sleekly tailored white suit, while Beyoncé dazzled in a custom, crystal mesh blazer and turtleneck bodysuit by LaQuan Smith, pulled high over the lower half of her face (we still know it’s you, Bey) and paired with clear vinyl-and-lucite boots.
But that was only the beginning. You ever seen something so dope you forgot to breathe? That was me, scrolling through pic after pic of all the black excellence that hit the Principality Stadium stage Wednesday night. Seriously, y’all; let me just shut up while you scroll through this ...
And this ...
And this ...
See what I mean? There was such an abundance of fashion moments, I legit got dizzy trying to process it all in one sitting. I mean, latex and leopard and sequins, oh, my!
Of course, there was no shortage of Beyoncé’s staples—bodysuits, fishnets and thigh-high boots—but the Queen also came through with some refreshing surprises, perhaps the best of which was a remix of her “Formation”-video Gucci moment (atop a subtle homage to “Crazy in Love”), courtesy of the legendary Dapper Dan.
Ma’am.
Mesh ski mask aside, this may be the most wearable—and covetable—Beyoncé fashion moment ever created. I mean, even the least logo-whorish among us (raises hand) may have unexpectedly experienced a flush of envy gazing upon the custom-made parka and over-the-knee boots crafted entirely out of the fashion house’s trademark print. Hell, I’ll just go ahead and say it: I see it, I want it (though I can’t imagine how much grinding and work I’d have to do to own it).
The Carters & Co. were even stunting on us backstage—scroll through for stylish shenanigans. Are you catching all this, #BlackMusicMogulMagic?
And these ladies in red? “Black girl magic” does not suffice. Mine eyes have seen the glory, y’all.
But this is just a taste—remember, it was only opening night! And if history is any indication, there will be even more looks to look forward to as On the Run II rolls on—and maybe even a full new stage wardrobe by the time they hit the States.
Obviously, we’ll be keeping our eye on these two as the tour progresses. In the meantime, let’s just give a round of applause to second acts.