5 Beyoncé Performances That Gave VOCALS & 5 That Prove She Can Dance Too
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Tal Fox
Get ready for an epic journey through Beyoncé's most jaw-dropping performances! We're diving into the moments that showcase her unbelievable vocal prowess and mind-blowing dance skills that prove why she's the ultimate entertainment queen. From her show-stopping Grammy performances to iconic MTV VMA moments, we'll explore the performances that cemented Beyoncé's status as a true entertainment legend. Prepare to be amazed by her incredible range, powerful vocals, and dance moves that continue to inspire millions!
5 Beyonce Performance That Gave VOCALS and 5 That Prove She’s an Insane Dancer Too
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the moments when Beyoncé seemed superhuman, delivering jaw-dropping vocals and choreography that left us breathless just watching. We would’ve loved to include any number of performances from her “Renaissance” tour, but we just couldn’t land the footage that would do her full justice!
“X-Factor” winner Alexandra Burke recalled Bey warning her to save her voice before their duet because “I didn’t come here to sing with someone who will lose.” Honestly, if you can keep up with Beyoncé, you’ve earned that win. As impressive as that was, let’s focus on this solo performance of “Listen” from “Dreamgirls.” Beyoncé showed she could captivate audiences with nothing but the power of her voice. She tackles the challenging song effortlessly, making us feel every word. With her almost superhuman range and impeccable control, she has us hooked on every note. Bey wanted us to “Listen,” and we couldn’t help but do just that as we watched her in complete and utter awe.
Talk about diving head-first into a new era! In 2003, Beyoncé dropped “Dangerously in Love” and hit the “VMAs” to prove she could dominate as a solo artist. She starts with “Baby Boy,” serving up empowered, sultry moves with isolations that look effortless—but definitely aren’t. Not even a tiny wardrobe slip could shake her. She owns every inch of the stage without missing a beat, vocally or physically. She then seamlessly transitions into “Crazy in Love” with a fresh take on the choreo fans have tried to recreate ever since the music video dropped. This was the moment Bey cemented herself as a next-level performer, and yet we knew the best was yet to come!
Let’s start with the fact that this medley was almost 18 minutes long, showcasing a mix of songs from her eponymous album. For nearly 20 minutes, Bey gave us a taste of almost her entire album, shifting between tempos and moods as effortlessly as most of us breathe. She smoothly transitions between songs, revealing a different side of her vocal range—from tender ballads to bold anthems. What stands out is how she keeps her vocals powerful and controlled despite the style changes. Each transition feels natural, making the performance flow seamlessly. Not that she needed to, but Bey proved exactly why she won the Vanguard Award that night. Talk about a “Flawless” performance.
There’s a reason we all tried copying these moves when the music video dropped, but as much as we’d like to think we could’ve joined her as a backing dancer at, say, the “AMAs,” that was never happening. Bey took it up a notch during her “VMA” performance, playing with the rhythm and tempo of the iconic choreography, adding pauses between moves that kept fans on the edge of their seats. What made it so brilliant was how, despite us knowing this dance, Bey added subtle nuances that made it feel fresh like she was improvising it all. Her connection to the music is undeniable. You almost forget this is the “VMAs” and not the Beyoncé show.
As we saw earlier, Bey made her solo debut in 2003, and ever since, she’s kept us on our toes with her endless versatility. Case in point: her pivot into country music. She gave us powerhouse belts, effortless transitions, and control so flawless it felt superhuman. She glided through every note, from rich, soulful ballads to country grit, proving once again that her voice has range. And let’s talk about stamina—because even with all that choreography and a stadium-sized spectacle, her vocals never wavered. Every ad-lib, key change, and run was perfection. Beyoncé reminded us yet again: no one does it like her. Merry Christmas, y’all—Bey done rode in and reinvented the holidays!
Imagine being invited as a guest performer at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, only for your performance to steal the spotlight. Beyoncé’s choreography, from sharp formations to symbolic gestures, conveyed themes of empowerment, resilience, and black identity. As always, she moves impeccably, but this is about making a bold statement. The visuals, combined with the song’s powerful lyrics, communicated pride in heritage and resistance against injustice. Bey uses the stage as a platform to spotlight political issues, merging art with activism. It was a moment that was visually stunning and socially impactful. No shade to headliners Coldplay, but this will always be remembered as the time Beyoncé scored an epic touchdown.
Beyoncé absolutely owned the night, winning six out of her ten nominations (most nominated artist, by the way) and breaking the record for most wins by a female artist in one night! Her performances of “If I Were a Boy” and “You Oughta Know” were incredible. She switches from the smooth, emotional intensity of “If I Were a Boy” to the fierce energy of “You Oughta Know” like it’s nothing. It’s like she’s living each song, putting her heart and soul into every word. Her take on the Alanis Morissette classic is straight-up fire, proving she can rock any style and leaving us all utterly captivated. What a night!
Inspired by Italian artist Lorella Cuccarini,[a] Beyoncé delivered an unforgettable performance while accepting the Billboard Millennium Award. She combined virtual artistry with some of the most high-octane, fire choreography of her career. Bey herself said she “never worked so hard in [her] life,” and it shows! Her coordination with the backdrops and dancers is something else! The routine features intricate formations, high-energy movements, and fierce attitude, all perfectly synced with the beat. Every step, from sharp footwork to flawless group coordination, is designed to empower. What truly stands out is how Bey and her dancers deliver each move with intensity, owning every second. Sasha Fierce came to slay!
Before we unveil our top picks, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Love On Top,” with its powerful vocal range, high notes, and endless key changes, is not only one of Beyoncé’s most challenging songs but one of the most ambitious to nail, period. Some artists shy away from performing their technical songs live, but not Beyoncé. Seriously, where does she even find time to breathe? You’d think with all those vocals, she’d slow down on the moves—but nope, Bey gives us 150% on both. Each time the song shifts keys, she effortlessly elevates the intensity, hitting high notes with ease and infusing every note with joy and emotion. Her vocal agility, power, and authenticity make this performance unforgettable. Oh, and did we mention she was performing for two?
Honestly, we could’ve included all of Beychella, but the “Everybody Mad” dance break is when Beyoncé really shows she’s a force of nature. She takes a moment to pull the audience in and then goes all out with one of her best dance breaks ever. She hits every beat and filler count, too. You’d need to watch it in slow-mo to truly appreciate the next-level precision, control, and fluidity as she throws down sharp, quick moves with both power and grace. She completely owns the stage, bringing an energy that leaves us mesmerized. She doesn't even seem to break a sweat! Her talent, stamina, and execution prove she’s one of the best dancers out there.
Which Bey performance makes you “Bow Down”? Let us know in the comments
[a]coo-kah-REE-nee https://forvo.com/search/Lorella%20Cuccarini/
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the moments when Beyoncé seemed superhuman, delivering jaw-dropping vocals and choreography that left us breathless just watching. We would’ve loved to include any number of performances from her “Renaissance” tour, but we just couldn’t land the footage that would do her full justice!
#5: Gave Vocals: “Listen”
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” (1986-2011)“X-Factor” winner Alexandra Burke recalled Bey warning her to save her voice before their duet because “I didn’t come here to sing with someone who will lose.” Honestly, if you can keep up with Beyoncé, you’ve earned that win. As impressive as that was, let’s focus on this solo performance of “Listen” from “Dreamgirls.” Beyoncé showed she could captivate audiences with nothing but the power of her voice. She tackles the challenging song effortlessly, making us feel every word. With her almost superhuman range and impeccable control, she has us hooked on every note. Bey wanted us to “Listen,” and we couldn’t help but do just that as we watched her in complete and utter awe.
#5: An Insane Dancer: “Baby Boy/Crazy in Love”
“20th MTV Video Music Awards” (2003)Talk about diving head-first into a new era! In 2003, Beyoncé dropped “Dangerously in Love” and hit the “VMAs” to prove she could dominate as a solo artist. She starts with “Baby Boy,” serving up empowered, sultry moves with isolations that look effortless—but definitely aren’t. Not even a tiny wardrobe slip could shake her. She owns every inch of the stage without missing a beat, vocally or physically. She then seamlessly transitions into “Crazy in Love” with a fresh take on the choreo fans have tried to recreate ever since the music video dropped. This was the moment Bey cemented herself as a next-level performer, and yet we knew the best was yet to come!
#4: Gave Vocals: “Beyoncé” Medley – Video Vanguard Award Performance
“31st MTV Video Music Awards” (2014)Let’s start with the fact that this medley was almost 18 minutes long, showcasing a mix of songs from her eponymous album. For nearly 20 minutes, Bey gave us a taste of almost her entire album, shifting between tempos and moods as effortlessly as most of us breathe. She smoothly transitions between songs, revealing a different side of her vocal range—from tender ballads to bold anthems. What stands out is how she keeps her vocals powerful and controlled despite the style changes. Each transition feels natural, making the performance flow seamlessly. Not that she needed to, but Bey proved exactly why she won the Vanguard Award that night. Talk about a “Flawless” performance.
#4: An Insane Dancer: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
“26th MTV Video Music Awards” (2009)There’s a reason we all tried copying these moves when the music video dropped, but as much as we’d like to think we could’ve joined her as a backing dancer at, say, the “AMAs,” that was never happening. Bey took it up a notch during her “VMA” performance, playing with the rhythm and tempo of the iconic choreography, adding pauses between moves that kept fans on the edge of their seats. What made it so brilliant was how, despite us knowing this dance, Bey added subtle nuances that made it feel fresh like she was improvising it all. Her connection to the music is undeniable. You almost forget this is the “VMAs” and not the Beyoncé show.
#3: Gave Vocals: “Cowboy Carter” Medley
“Beyonce Christmas Halftime Show” (2024)As we saw earlier, Bey made her solo debut in 2003, and ever since, she’s kept us on our toes with her endless versatility. Case in point: her pivot into country music. She gave us powerhouse belts, effortless transitions, and control so flawless it felt superhuman. She glided through every note, from rich, soulful ballads to country grit, proving once again that her voice has range. And let’s talk about stamina—because even with all that choreography and a stadium-sized spectacle, her vocals never wavered. Every ad-lib, key change, and run was perfection. Beyoncé reminded us yet again: no one does it like her. Merry Christmas, y’all—Bey done rode in and reinvented the holidays!
#3: An Insane Dancer: “Formation”
“Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show” (2016)Imagine being invited as a guest performer at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, only for your performance to steal the spotlight. Beyoncé’s choreography, from sharp formations to symbolic gestures, conveyed themes of empowerment, resilience, and black identity. As always, she moves impeccably, but this is about making a bold statement. The visuals, combined with the song’s powerful lyrics, communicated pride in heritage and resistance against injustice. Bey uses the stage as a platform to spotlight political issues, merging art with activism. It was a moment that was visually stunning and socially impactful. No shade to headliners Coldplay, but this will always be remembered as the time Beyoncé scored an epic touchdown.
#2: Gave Vocals: “If I Were a Boy”/“You Oughta Know”
“52nd Annual Grammy Awards” (2010)Beyoncé absolutely owned the night, winning six out of her ten nominations (most nominated artist, by the way) and breaking the record for most wins by a female artist in one night! Her performances of “If I Were a Boy” and “You Oughta Know” were incredible. She switches from the smooth, emotional intensity of “If I Were a Boy” to the fierce energy of “You Oughta Know” like it’s nothing. It’s like she’s living each song, putting her heart and soul into every word. Her take on the Alanis Morissette classic is straight-up fire, proving she can rock any style and leaving us all utterly captivated. What a night!
#2: An Insane Dancer: “Run the World (Girls)”
“18th Billboard Music Awards” (2011)Inspired by Italian artist Lorella Cuccarini,[a] Beyoncé delivered an unforgettable performance while accepting the Billboard Millennium Award. She combined virtual artistry with some of the most high-octane, fire choreography of her career. Bey herself said she “never worked so hard in [her] life,” and it shows! Her coordination with the backdrops and dancers is something else! The routine features intricate formations, high-energy movements, and fierce attitude, all perfectly synced with the beat. Every step, from sharp footwork to flawless group coordination, is designed to empower. What truly stands out is how Bey and her dancers deliver each move with intensity, owning every second. Sasha Fierce came to slay!
Before we unveil our top picks, here are a few honorable mentions.
Gave Vocals: “Ring the Alarm,” “23rd MTV Video Music Awards” (2006)
This Performance Feels like Someone Shook A Bottle, Popped the Cap & Let Those Emotions Explode Through Her VocalsAn Insane Dancer: “Déjà Vu,” “6th BET Awards” (2006)
From the Moment She Hits the Stage, She’s a Force of Nature, Moving Like She’s Completely Possessed by the MusicGave Vocals: “Lemonade” Medley, “59th Annual Grammy Awards” (2017)
Full of Confidence & Power: Every Second of This Medley Feels Unbelievably Empowering & Stirring#1: Gave Vocals: “Love on Top”
“28th MTV Video Music Awards” (2011)“Love On Top,” with its powerful vocal range, high notes, and endless key changes, is not only one of Beyoncé’s most challenging songs but one of the most ambitious to nail, period. Some artists shy away from performing their technical songs live, but not Beyoncé. Seriously, where does she even find time to breathe? You’d think with all those vocals, she’d slow down on the moves—but nope, Bey gives us 150% on both. Each time the song shifts keys, she effortlessly elevates the intensity, hitting high notes with ease and infusing every note with joy and emotion. Her vocal agility, power, and authenticity make this performance unforgettable. Oh, and did we mention she was performing for two?
#1: An Insane Dancer: “Everybody Mad”
“Coachella” (2018)Honestly, we could’ve included all of Beychella, but the “Everybody Mad” dance break is when Beyoncé really shows she’s a force of nature. She takes a moment to pull the audience in and then goes all out with one of her best dance breaks ever. She hits every beat and filler count, too. You’d need to watch it in slow-mo to truly appreciate the next-level precision, control, and fluidity as she throws down sharp, quick moves with both power and grace. She completely owns the stage, bringing an energy that leaves us mesmerized. She doesn't even seem to break a sweat! Her talent, stamina, and execution prove she’s one of the best dancers out there.
Which Bey performance makes you “Bow Down”? Let us know in the comments
[a]coo-kah-REE-nee https://forvo.com/search/Lorella%20Cuccarini/
