Anybody that has witnessed a Beyonce performance knows that is nothing short of amazing. From the band, to the stage crew, to the dancers, to the costume, everything is definitely in Formation. Saidah Nairobi knows from first hand experience the work that goes into making a Beyonce tour, well a Beyonce tour. She has been one of Beyonce’s main tour dancers for years gracing the stage on the ” I Am Tour,” Superbowl 50 electric half-time show, and the latest “Formation World Tour.”
In an interview with Saidah Nairobi we journey with her through Beyonce’s world tour, her new single We Are and Woman Empowerment.
What are 3 Emojis that would describe Beyonce Formation Tour experience?
Saidah Nairobi: ✊????
What was is it like touring with Beyonce for her Formation Tour?
Saidah Nairobi: Incredible! It was really incredible, to tour and to do something meaningful, to women, to our community. To be basically on the front line of a movement, in a sense. It was very empowering to be on tour with 20 women, .. to learn from each other and to grow with one another. To go in front of the world and to go on a stadium tour with the highly most respected woman in entertainment, and a black woman, it was a blessing! Even with the Super Bowl 50 Performance being on that field at a very pivotal moment. We came out in all black and berets and it was really impactful! We are a team at the end of the day and nothing happens without it. As a team we were so solid, so strong. Everyone has a clear understanding of what the vision is. She has people around her that are willing to work hard , nobody complains. She sets the tone. I am still taking in so much, and the tour ended months ago.
What did you learn about yourself from touring with Ciara, Beyonce, Usher, and Neyo?
Saidah Nairobi: I learned that I really have the tenacity to work hard , to be patient and trust the process. I learned not to put myself in a box and not to limit myself. When I first inspired to be a dancer, I thought if I could go to London in 2009 that will be cool and I had an idea of just going to one country and this was before Beyonce World Tour. I just really learned not to put myself in a box.
I know you are focusing on your music and just released a new song entitled We Are. What story are you telling with your new song We Are?
Saidah Nairobi: That regardless of what society may try to project on us, that we are greater than that, we are more resilient, we are more powerful than that. As a community we have to come back to the essence of who we are. To instill in young people that we are game changers, we are trailblazers. It was because of people like Coretta Scott King, who was a trailblazer, who paved the path, and stepped up as leaders. That is what we need as a culture, leaders to step up and say I am willing to be a trailblazer. To say I am willing to be not as combative, I am willing to be a solider for love, I am willing to be a dream weaver. To step away from the idea of looking externally for things to change and start looking internally and say it starts with me.”
What message do you have for black and brown women in 2017?
Saidah Nairobi: Be Fearless, be fearless! What ever it is that you feel is your purpose your mission, your dream, your desire, go for it. Go for it unapologetic-ally! Be fearless in your pursuit of happiness, in your pursuit of joy, in your pursuit of your family and whatever you feel your family needs. This is the year to go for it Unapologetically.
What’s next ?
Saidah Nairobi: I am working on recording more music as well as working on packaging an EP. Once that is completely done, I will get ready to do the performance aspect of it. I want to promote We Are more but I want to promote it with an entire record. I want to be able to do a set, where I can perform 5 to 7 songs. I don’t have an urgency to perform the record (We Are) because it is a timeless piece. With We Are I have a book that I wrote called The Journey of A Dream, which talks about my journey as a back-up dancer. The book is already complete, I am just waiting on publishing aspect. That is something everyone should be on a look out for because I plan to release that this year.
You can keep up with Saidah Nairobi journey here:
Instagram: @saidahnairobi
Twitter:@saidah_nairobi
Website:www.saidahnairobi.com
Now let’s vibe out to her powerful record We Are:
Interviewed by Music Editor: Tiffany Bullock ❤️
