Queens-raised Yaya Bey isn’t afraid to tell you how she’s feeling, but it’s always musical. Even when she’s just talking, it seems as if she’s keeping time. For Yaya, the pocket isn’t just floating between verses and choruses, like a great percussionist, she seems to live life in the pocket, flawlessly weaving admissions of heartbreak with self love and gratitude. This vulnerability was appreciated by the packed Union Stage crowd last Saturday, but what I appreciated more than anything was her unwavering positivity. If the topic was heavy, she’d smile through it with remarks like “God’s got me.”
Local group Foots x Coles set the groove with a smooth set before she came out. I was encouraged to see their equipment left out for Bey’s band. She proved on April’s Tiny Desk performance that she’s more than comfortable in front of a full band, and she engaged with them regularly during the show. Her voice carried surprising power throughout the night, surprising because she spends much of her critically acclaimed recent release, Ten Fold, soaking in the grief of loss with soft vocals and careful production.
“Maybe if I get up I’ll stay up this time.” - Yvette’s Cooking Show
Loss can shake anybody’s confidence, but authenticity can’t be replaced. Bey showed that time and again on Saturday. Her love for her music, for her craft, for her bandmates and her fans is reciprocated ten times over from all who are in her presence. While she leans on her faith to carry her through tough times, I’m sure that many of those in attendance will continue to lean on her and her words for lessons in grace and resilience.
