The final "Saturday Night Live" ("SNL") episode before the general election started with Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon breaking their Trump and Clinton characters to plea for unity and advocate for viewers to vote. But two days later, we’re most clearly remembering not the November 5 opening sketch, but musical guest Solange‘s two uplifting performances.
The younger Knowles sister offered the season’s best musical performances so far with renditions of "Cranes in the Sky" and "Don’t Touch My Hair," the two tracks off her new album "A Seat at the Table" that also have music videos. Solange and her backing band donned all-white outfits while performing nuanced choreography for both tracks. British singer and songwriter Sampha joined Solange on stage for his guest vocals on "Don’t Touch My Hair."
"A Seat at the Table" received instantaneous acclaim after its late-September release, with many outlets (this one included) highlighting the album’s exploration of themes like police violence, Black womanhood and ecstasy amidst strife.
Check out the performances below and let us know what you think in the comments.
(H/t Okayafrica, Pitchfork)