Critics noted the track's ability to act as a condemnation of racism and a call to action for protestors against police brutality, while also serving as an uplifting celebration of black culture.

[2] On June 14, 2020, she issued an open letter to Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, calling out the lack of arrests in the case of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black woman who was fatally shot by police while sleeping in her own home in March 2020.

[4] Mesfin Fekadu of the Associated Press wrote that after these events, "the world was driven to... this year's Juneteenth more than ever before, and Beyoncé... wanted to release a song on that momentous day".

[5] Co-writer and co-producer Derek Dixie explained his intention behind the song, writing: "'Black Parade' exists to give a... boost to a community that has been fighting for... equal rights... for centuries.

'Black Parade' exists to give black people a reminder that their excellence goes beyond the stolen culture..."[6] Dixie noted that they could have delayed the release of the song in order to release it together with Beyoncé's visual album and film Black Is King on July 31 in order to capitalize off of it, however they "really wanted to get it out during a time where we could all remember the feeling and the energy".

[14] Nina Corcoran for Consequence of Sound characterized "Black Parade" as a "celebratory blend of pop, trap, hip-hop, and electronica-verging on Detroit techno" with "cascading horns and a chipper flute melody".

[15] Jon Pareles of The New York Times described the music as drawing influences from "trap electronics, African songs, brass bands [and] gospel choirs".

[16] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the track "layers Beyoncé’s throaty singing and casually audacious rapping over a low-slung, brass-equipped groove".

It also finds the singer addressing her Texan roots as well as referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, the West African Orishas Oshun and Yemaya, and Black Lives Matter activist Tamika Mallory.

[22] Idolator declared the track as "one of the year's best songs", with Mike Wass writing: "It goes without saying that "Black Parade" is excellent and demands your full attention.

[25] Writing for NPR, Taylor Crumpton described "Black Parade" as "a call to those on the frontlines" of the George Floyd protests "to march on because their steps and spirits are with the ancestors who advocate and fought for the future of a pro-Black generation".

[26] Kiana Fitzgerald of the same publication declared "Black Parade" "a call to action and a salve for a wounded nation" as well as "the ever-evolving artist's offering of musical empowerment".

[17] Olivia Blair of Elle analyzed the historical and cultural references in "Black Parade", commenting that the "I'm goin' back to the South... Where my roots ain't watered down.

"[32] Jessica McKinney of Complex similarly noted that "Black Parade" is "not your typical protest song", writing: "You’ll probably hear people chanting, "We got rhythm, we got pride," at the next BLM event, but don't be surprised if this record comes on at the next summer party, as well".

[34] Jon Pareles of The New York Times opined that the track makes "ambitious, far-reaching connections", and wrote that "Beyoncé flaunts new melody ideas in each verse.

[37] Consequence of Sound named the single the 13th best song of 2020, with Matt Melis writing: "As the world continues to grow more intimidating and frightening, Beyoncé draws strength from history and urges others to find their own way to follow in a long line of proud Black heritage.

Bain concluded: "In a moment of the most severe racial conflict many of us have seen in our lifetimes, "Parade" dually uplifted proponents of social justice and reminded us all what we're fighting for.