Beyoncé’s next political move is with Kamala Harris tonight in Houston

Kamala Harris’ team got approval from Beyoncé’s representatives to use the song ‘Freedom’ for her presidential campaign.

Kamala Harris’ team got approval from Beyoncé’s representatives to use the song ‘Freedom’ for her presidential campaign.
photo collage

Beyoncé will take the stage tonight alongside Vice President Kamala Harris during a rally in Houston. But this isn’t the first time the Houston superstar has gotten political.

Earlier this year, Beyoncé gave Harris permission to use the song “Freedom” as an official campaign theme song. Queen Bey was rumored to perform at the Democratic National Convention in August but that proved to be false.

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What we do know for sure is that Willie Nelson will perform at tonight’s rally. Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother, is also scheduled to speak at the event.

Here are some of the times Beyoncé decided to not just, to reference The Chicks, shut up and sing.

No, no, no to Donald Trump (2023)

Beyoncé introduced Team USA during the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Beyoncé introduced Team USA during the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
beyonce.com

Beyoncé threatened to send a cease-and-desist to Donald Trump earlier this year after the former president used her song “Freedom” in a video. The song was featured in a clip tweeted by Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung. A “source close to Beyoncé” said they did not receive permission to use the song.

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Joe Biden and Kamala Harris endorsement (2020)

Beyonce sings the national anthem at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington.

Beyonce sings the national anthem at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press

Just before the 2020 election, Beyoncé posted an Instagram Story wearing a Biden-Harris face mask with the caption “Come thru, Texas!” urging fans to vote for the Democratic ticket.

Justice for Breonna Taylor (2020)

Beyoncé has gained followers during the Super Bowl weekend, specifically Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, where more 250,000 followed her on Instagram.

Beyoncé wrote an open letter to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, demanding justice for Breonna Taylor and calling for charges against the officers involved in her death. “With every death of a Black person at the hands of the police there are two real tragedies: the death itself and the inaction and delays that follow it. This is your chance to end that pattern. Take swift and decisive action in charging the officers,” Beyoncé wrote.

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‘Black Parade’ (2020)

ARCHIVO – Beyonce, izquierda, acepta el premio Innovator en los iHeartRadio Music Awards, el 1 de abril de 2024, en el Teatro Dolby de Los Ángeles. (Foto AP/Chris Pizzello, archivo)
ARCHIVO – Beyonce, izquierda, acepta el premio Innovator en los iHeartRadio Music Awards, el 1 de abril de 2024, en el Teatro Dolby de Los Ángeles. (Foto AP/Chris Pizzello, archivo)Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

The queen of surprises dropped “Black Parade” on Juneteenth as a celebration of her culture and criticism of police brutality and racism. Proceeds benefited small Black-owned businesses around the country.

George Floyd (2020)

Beyoncé accepts the best R&B performance award for “Black Parade,” becoming the most awarded female performer ever.

Beyoncé accepts the best R&B performance award for “Black Parade,” becoming the most awarded female performer ever.
Kevin Winter, Staff / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Beyoncé posted a video to social media directly addressing the murder of George Floyd and shared a link to sign a petition to demand more charges. “We need justice for George Floyd. We all witnessed his murder in broad daylight. We’re broken and we’re disgusted and we cannot normalize this pain,” she said. “I am not only speaking to people of color. If you are white, black, brown, or anything in between, I’m sure you feel hopeless by the racism going on in America right now. No more senseless killings of human beings. No more seeing people of color as less than human. We can no longer look away.”

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Beto O’Rourke endorsement (2018)

Beyonce announced her support of Democratic Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke in the 2018 midterms, just hours before polls closed on Election Day.

Beyonce announced her support of Democratic Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke in the 2018 midterms, just hours before polls closed on Election Day.
Instagram screengrab/@beyonce

Beyoncé endorsed O’Rourke the day of the Texas Senate election. She shared multiple Instagram posts wearing a “Beto for Senate” hat and wrote, “Every vote counts. Every race matters Everywhere.”

Women’s March (2017)

Beyonce onstage in St. Louis

Beyonce onstage in St. Louis
Matt Sayles/Associated Press

A worldwide protest was held the day after Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration in response to his misogynistic rhetoric. Beyoncé shared a message of support to those attending, writing on social media, “Together with Chime for Change, we raise our voices as mothers, as artists, and as activists. As #GlobalCitizens, we can make our voices heard and turn awareness into meaningful action and positive change. #WomensMarch.”

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Super Bowl 50 halftime show performance (2016)

Beyonce performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game in Santa Clara, Calif.

Beyonce performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game in Santa Clara, Calif.
Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Beyoncé stole the show from Bruno Mars and Coldplay with a performance of “Formation” that paid tribute to the Blank Panthers and Black Lives Matter. Her dancers wore black berets atop Afros. It was a sharp criticism of police violence and racism.

‘Freedom’ (2016)

Beyonce, left, and Kendrick Lamar perform Freedom at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 26, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) ORG XMIT: NVCV156
Beyonce, left, and Kendrick Lamar perform Freedom at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 26, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) ORG XMIT: NVCV156Matt Sayles

The song “Freedom” from “Lemonade” was never an official single but became an anthem for various social causes, including the 2020 George Floyd protests. This year, Vice President Kamala Harris adopted it as her official presidential campaign song. The song amplifies Harris’ ongoing message of positivity. The “Freedom” visual included on “Lemonade” featured the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, who all lost their sons to police violence.

‘Formation’ music video (2016)

Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour

Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour
Daniela Vesco

The “Formation” song and music video addressed the government’s much-criticized response to Hurricane Katrina, racism, the strength of Black women and police brutality. Police cars are submerged in water. The words “Stop shooting us” are seen on a wall at the end of the video.

Hillary Clinton endorsement (2016)

FILE – In this Nov. 4, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, center, appears on stage with artists Jay Z, right, and Beyonce during a free concert at at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Few presidential candidates attracted so much celebrity support as did the former first lady and Secretary of State, but to so little reward. Rallies in Ohio with Beyonce and Jay Z did not prevent Republican rival and President-elect Donald Trump from prevailing.
FILE – In this Nov. 4, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, center, appears on stage with artists Jay Z, right, and Beyonce during a free concert at at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. Few presidential candidates attracted so much celebrity support as did the former first lady and Secretary of State, but to so little reward. Rallies in Ohio with Beyonce and Jay Z did not prevent Republican rival and President-elect Donald Trump from prevailing. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)Andrew Harnik

Beyoncé formally endorsed Clinton’s run for president and headlined a concert where she urged people to vote. “I want my daughter to grow up seeing a woman lead our country and know that her possibilities are limitless,” she said at the time. During the performance, Beyoncé and her dancers wore pantsuits, a clear reference to Clinton’s own fashion.

Beyonc? is in her country era.
Beyonc? is in her country era.Parkwood

Beyoncé has frequently voiced her support for the LGBTQ+ community. The “Renaissance” album was a love letter to Black and Latino queer history. She supported marriage equality long before it became law and has waved the flag for transgender rights.

Barack Obama

Beyonce, left, sings ‘At Last’ as President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have their first dance at an inaugural ball in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009.

Beyoncé has a long history with President Obama. She supported both of his campaigns, performed at his inaugurations and hosted multiple fundraisers. She shared a letter of thanks online and called him “the leader to take us from where we are to where we need to be.”

Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. He also covers various aspects of pop culture. He has reviewed hundreds of concerts and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from Taylor Swift to Dolly Parton to Beyonce. He’s appeared as a regular correspondent on Fox26 and was head judge and director of the Pride Superstar singing competition for a decade. He has been named journalist of the year multiple times by both OutSmart Magazine and the FACE Awards. He also covers various aspects of pop culture, including the local drag scene and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”