Now That’s What I Call Music 16! is my earliest memory of loving Beyonce. I was 9 years old listening on my combo boombox/karaoke machine in my room. Since then, Beyonce has truly been my #1 favorite artist. From B’Day to I Am…Sasha Fierce, Beyonce has been a staple in my car, my getting ready playlists and the dance studio.

When Béyonce dropped in 2013 (“know where you was when that digital popped”), my best friend and I sat with our eyes glued to the TV in our freshman dorm room, taking in every second.

The album continued her exploration of feminism and gender issues, while addressing insecurity and self-worth in a way that felt deeply personal while creating a sense of shared experience. One of the most powerful moments is in Flawless where she featured this excerpt from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “We should all be feminists” TEDtalk; “We raise girls to see each other as competitors. Not for jobs or for accomplishments (which I think can be a good thing) but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are. Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.”

While I had always believed in gender equality and was raised to not only recognize but celebrate the strength of all women, this particular excerpt - and the album’s message as a whole - reignited that passion within me. I became involved in my school’s women’s empowerment events, collaborating with like-minded women to foster an environment of support and confidence-building during such a pivotal stage in our personal growth. I changed my major to Political Science, driven by a desire to further educate myself on critical social and political issues - both historical and contemporary - shaping our society and the world at large.

Beyoncé means so much to me; I’ve been empowered, educated, and inspired by her music. I have a connection to so many of her songs and albums, each one tied to a specific chapter in my life. This summer, I finally had the chance to see her live during the Cowboy Carter tour, an unforgettable experience.

What I loved about the conception of Cowboy Carter is that instead of allowing the country genre to continue to try to make her feel unwelcome, Beyonce delved into the history of country music itself - bringing attention to the often-overlooked contributions of Black pioneers to the rich tapestry of American music and culture. The reinvention of Americana she explores in this album is both educational and moving. The concert itself was an incredible experience - the talent, the surprises, the dancing and the quality of the overall production were unmatched.

Before I went to see this show myself, I went searching for my concert look. There were so many fun options, it was difficult to decide. Here are my picks for the Cowboy Carter tour this summer - I wish I could have worn them all!