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."
Time named "Black Parade" one of the best songs of June 2020, with Raisa Bruner calling the track "a tour-de-force of references: to black history, to African traditions, to her own family and past" and describing Beyoncé as "the queen of a generation providing guidance and assembling her listeners with black solidarity". 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". 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". Fitzgerald also praised the myriad references to African American, Afrodiasporic and African culture and history in the song, such as the George Floyd protests, charging crystals in a full moon and the Yoruba goddess Oshun. Cori Murray of
Essence agreed, declaring the song "an ode to everything blackity, black, black as she takes listeners on a celebratory joyride from the past to the present", as well as "a
Juneteenth anthem and call to action for black businesses". Nina Corcoran of
Consequence of Sound described "Black Parade" as "timely and moving", praising the "celebratory blend" of various musical genres and the lyrics that portray "the unique joys of being Black, touching on everything from womanhood to her heritage and the ways in which Blackness proudly permeates throughout it all". Mark Savage of
BBC News praised the track's "powerful lyrics about black history, police brutality and the George Floyd protests", while Mikael Wood of the
Los Angeles Times described the track as "a sweeping yet fine-grained salute to blackness in its many forms". Jeetendr Sehdev wrote for
Forbes that "the first lesson Beyoncé's "Black Parade" teaches us is that we must put our money where our mouth is", with Beyoncé not just releasing the song but also launching the Black Parade Route initiative and founding the Black Business Impact Fund, to which all proceeds from the song are donated. Sehdev continues, writing that "the second lesson that Beyoncé's "Black Parade" teaches us is that we must also provide people with a sense of optimism and hope", a goal which he describes "Black Parade" as "leading the charge" for. Sehdev describes "Black Parade" as "hit[ting] the nail on the head", as a track that addresses "the issue of racism head-on" through "powerful lyrics about black history, police brutality, and the George Floyd protests", but also delivers "content that is both joyful and uplifting in its music and messaging". Mikael Wood of the
Los Angeles Times agreed, describing how there is no consensus on what the song of the summer should be like, however, he continues: "Ideally, one song could exult, could object, could mourn, could reassure. And indeed, just such a tune appeared last week from Beyoncé, whose exuberant "Black Parade"... celebrates blackness in its many glories, even as it acknowledges the persistent threats of racism and police violence." 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". McKinney also described the "irresistible" energy of Beyoncé's "gritty and raw" delivery on the track, noting that Beyoncé "comes out the gate rapping with a rhythmic flow" while also singing on the majority of the record.
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. Voices gather around her, as her solo strut turns into a parade, or a more purposeful march."
iHeartRadio placed "Black Parade" at number 3 in its "30 Songs That Made Us Feel Something In 2020" list, describing the song as "both a party and a history lesson [that] celebrates all aspects of Black culture".
Glamour named "Black Parade" the fourth best song of 2020.
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." In July 2020,
Complex named "Black Parade" the 19th best song of 2020 so far.
Stereogum named the track the 23rd best song of 2020, describing it as an underappreciated "
paean to Black excellence". The track was named the 38th best song of 2020 by
Billboard, with Katie Bain describing it as "a swirl of trap beats, flutes and brass" that "evokes the song's titular procession, as Bey delivers an ode to the beauty and strength of Black culture". 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." The song was listed as the 22nd best international song of 2020 by
Rockdelux. "Black Parade" was also included in
HipHopDx's list of the best R&B songs of 2020. ==Commercial performance==