Beyonce drops new song Black Parade after launching initiative in support of Black-owned businesses


Beyonce commemorated Juneteenth by unveiling a new initiative to uplift Black-owned small businesses and with the release of a new song called Black Parade.     

Millions Americans on Friday gathered in public streets and virtually to celebrate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, a holiday that marks recognizes the end of enslaving African-Americans in the US.

Amid demonstrations in cities from Washington D.C. to Oakland, California, Beyonce announced that she spearheaded a new initiative called ‘Black Parade Route’ to support small Black-owned businesses. 

‘Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right,’ read a statement on the singer’s website. 

Scroll down to hear new song Black Parade 

Beyonce (pictured) dropped a surprise new song titled and initiative called Black Parade to celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves in the US

The website includes a lengthy list of Black businesses people can buy from that are listed in categories such as: Art & Design, Beauty, Fashion, Home & Living, Lifestyle, Restaurants & Bars, Services and Wellness & Health.  

According to the website, Black Parade ‘benefits BeyGOOD’s Black Business Impact Fund, administered by the National Urban League, to support Black-owned small businesses in need.’  

Beyonce, 38, made the news public when she posted  on Instagram to share some words of wisdom about the project and the Juneteenth holiday. 

‘Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power,’ the Texas native wrote in the caption. 

Beyonce went on to write that the BLACK PARADE project celebrates ‘you, your voice and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses.’ 

Beyonce, 38, promoted her the newly launched Black Parade Route section of her website in a show of support for Black-owned businesses

Beyonce, 38, promoted her the newly launched Black Parade Route section of her website in a show of support for Black-owned businesses

Hours after announcing the new Black Parade initiative, Beyonce dropped her new tune of the same name.

The mid-tempo song starts off subtly but quickly turns into a beat-heavy thumper.

‘I’m going back to the South / I’m going back, back, back / Where my roots ain’t watered down’  she croons with emotion in the opening verse. 

This is Beyonce’s first new solo work since she lent her voice to The Lion King companion album, The Gift, in 2019. 

The Black Parade Route on Beyonce's website lists Black-owned businesses in categories such as: Art & Design, Beauty, Fashion, Home & Living, Lifestyle, Restaurants & Bars, Services and Wellness & Health

The Black Parade Route on Beyonce’s website lists Black-owned businesses in categories such as: Art & Design, Beauty, Fashion, Home & Living, Lifestyle, Restaurants & Bars, Services and Wellness & Health

'Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right,' the singer wrote in the tagline of the Black Parade page

‘Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right,’ the singer wrote in the tagline of the Black Parade page

This past April, Beyonce was featured on the remix of Megan Thee Stallion’s song, Savage, marking her first material of music for the year.

It was a bonafide hit when it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Juneteenth — also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day — is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.

Proceeds from the song will go towards supporting small Black-owned businesses.

It originated in Beyonce’s home state of Texas but is now celebrated annually on the 19th of June throughout the US, with varying official recognition.          

Beyonce's new song, Black Parade, is her first new solo work since she lent her voice to The Lion King companion album, The Gift, in 2019

Beyonce’s new song, Black Parade, is her first new solo work since she lent her voice to The Lion King companion album, The Gift, in 2019