Erykah Badu
FYF Fest found a way to blend all our favorite subcultures into a beautiful field of dreams, powerful female energy, braids, queer pride, and high tops into one of the best summer weekends in LA.
From its exceptional number of dominant female headliners including Icelandic Queen, Bjork, to hip-hop legend Missy Elliott, to sweet songstress Angel Olsen, and the dazzling Solange with her fire dance moves, we were overtaken by the amount of sheer talent and unequivocal energy from each and every queen’s performance.
Next we made our way to see none other than icon and legend of the music world, Missy Elliott. Stunning us with a white bedazzled suit, we were wowed by Missy’s moves. Having not performed for a decade, Missy pushed boundaries with her sexuality, lyrics, and strength. Everyone who watched her set left with a proud sense of womanhood and enough rump shaking to getchur freak on!
Next it was time for none other than rap legends, A Tribe Called Quest. Paying tribute to lost Phife Dawg with his image up on the screen, they stole the show with their energy on high. Can I kick it? Yes you can! It was a sad moment in history for all the fans that have followed Tribe for so many years when Q-Tip announced this would be Tribe’s last show in Los Angeles. This may have been the last time LA will see A Tribe Called Quest, but their infectious music will live on in our hearts and itunes forever.
Yet another powerful female to headline FYF this weekend, Erykah Badu graced us with her presence about 25 minutes late in well deserved diva fashion, but was very well worth it. She came out captivating the crowd with just her presence alone. She is classy and badass all in one and there’s no one like her. Her performance was astoundingly vibrant and everyone that saw her is able to attest to the fact that all eyes were set on her once she got started.
Erykah Badu
Oh, Frank Ocean. Although it was 2 whole years ago, it seemed just like yesterday when our hearts were broken because you were unable to attend FYF as a headliner. Although it had been 3 years since his last performance in the States, the wait was well worth it for his magical and passionate performance Saturday night. Thousands of fans stood around the Main Stage, half anticipating for him to flake, but many of us stayed hopeful. The smoke came blazing, the lights began to flash, and the music started bumping. The time has finally arrived. He was nothing short of captivating and filled with so much passion. The camera work was unlike anything we had seen that weekend. With a special guest appearance from Brad Pitt being serenaded by Frank, his performance was easily a highlight of the weekend.
“idk, maybe u had a different experience if u were hanging with the wrong ppl at the wrong sets :: but from where i was standing, FYF was a goddamn transformational atom bomb of black power & queer majik fueled by an explosive core of feminine energy & everyone was beautiful, carefree, angelic, and strong as fuck. If u were a part of that – I hope you keep flexing your muscles forever. I saw u & u are doing a really great job. ♡” – Ryan Haines