Express Yourself
Kevin Beckett and Christian Hewett delivered one of the most playful and creatively layered moments of the evening with their spotlight performance of "Express Yourself" — a clever mashup combining Madonna's, Charles Wright's, and N.W.A's "Express Yourself" with Stefani Germanotta's "Born This Way" and Al Yankovic's parody "Perform This Way" — at the Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay's concert, "Songs of a Man's Heart / I Love the '80s", held at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 17, 2024. Performed without the full chorus, the spotlight gave Beckett and Hewett a chance to showcase both their vocal versatility and their flair for theatrical storytelling.
The mashup itself was a feat of musical curation, weaving together songs that span decades and genres but share a common message about identity, self-affirmation, and the courage to live authentically. Beckett and Hewett moved nimbly between the styles, capturing the funk-pop swagger of Madonna's anthem, the soulful drive of Charles Wright's original, the rap edge of N.W.A's reinvention, the empowerment-pop flair of "Born This Way", and the comedic punch of Yankovic's parody. The transitions were handled with confidence, keeping the audience engaged through every shift in tone.
Vocally, the duo brought distinct personalities to the performance while blending well in the moments that called for unity. Beckett and Hewett traded leads, traded jokes, and traded harmonic responsibilities throughout, creating a sense of dynamic conversation that kept the spotlight feeling fresh from start to finish. Their comedic timing and committed stage presence drew laughter and applause from the audience, while their genuine vocal skill ensured that the humor never overshadowed the musicianship.
Allendale United Methodist Church's acoustics supported the high-energy delivery without sacrificing clarity, allowing every clever lyric and stylistic shift to come through. Within the broader context of "I Love the '80s", the mashup served as both entertainment and statement — a celebration of how the message of expressing oneself has evolved across musical eras, from Charles Wright's soul to Lady Gaga's anthem to Yankovic's wink. Through Kevin Beckett and Christian Hewett's clever, charismatic performance, the spotlight became a joyful reminder that authenticity, humor, and pride all belong on the same stage.