How Beyoncé sets the standard for album releases
Saddle up! Beyoncé’s highly anticipated country music album, Cowboy Carter, is here. To celebrate, Yahoo Entertainment's David Artavia reveals how over the last decade Beyoncé has managed to change with the times, keep fans wanting more and possibly perfect the art of the album drop.
Video Transcript
DAVID ARTAVIA: Howdy, y'all. The wait is finally over. Beyoncé's country music album "Cowboy Carter" is here, and fans are as happy as a cowboy in rhinestones. Over the last 10-ish years, Queen Bey has mastered the fine art of dropping an album. And if you don't think so, then (SINGING) you must not know 'bout her.
Back in December 2013, Beyoncé was already music royalty. Then on a Friday night, without any warnings, teasers, or big PR push, she dropped her self-titled album. The 14-song digital release became a global event, reaching number one in over 100 countries almost immediately.
Fast-forward to April 2016, and the singer gave us "Lemonade." This was no ordinary release. It earned a Peabody Award, and it's been called one of the greatest albums of all time by music critics.
Then in July 2022, Beyoncé announced her seventh studio album. "Renaissance." In her very first TikTok video, she posts its lead single, "Break My Soul." She also made her music available for fans to use in their own TikTok videos, which drew a lot of media attention.
Just when we thought we've seen it all, the singer teased her newest album "Cowboy Carter" during the Super Bowl.
BEYONCE: OK, they ready. Drop the new music.
DAVID ARTAVIA: She dropped two singles that night, which climbed to number one in a matter of days. The fact that she released a country album at all continues to spark much needed debates about artists and their inclusion within all genres of music. But perhaps the greatest lesson we can all learn is that this is simply Beyoncé's world. We're all just living in it.
