Queen Cora Coleman

Documented by Drum Faster

Prince's drummer in the New Power Generation from 2005 to 2010, and Beyoncé's from May 2011 — two of the hardest gigs in music, back to back. A deep, immovable pocket, church chops used about four times a night, and gear chosen to cover every genre a setlist can throw at it.

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2011 — From the NPG to Beyoncé

Two opposite disciplines: Prince's band changes direction mid-song on a hand signal, and Beyoncé's show is locked to a click and choreographed to the frame. Her gear is conventional on purpose — she has talked about needing one stick that would cover every genre in a Prince set, which given how those setlists moved is a real specification rather than marketing copy.

The 2011 kit at a glance. Tap a piece to find it below; sticks, pedals and hardware aren't drawn.

DW kit ⤷ who plays this

DW 14" snare ⤷ who plays this

Sabian Hi-hats ⤷ who plays this

Sabian Crashes ⤷ who plays this

Sabian Ride ⤷ who plays this

Remo heads ⤷ who plays this

Vater sticks one stick to cover a ballad, James Brown funk and a rock guitar solo in the same ten minutes ⤷ who plays this

2011 — From the NPG to Beyoncé

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