Beyoncé always comes with meaningful lyrics and that’s definitely true on Renaissance. The icon’s seventh studio album arrived last month and has been on repeat for her millions of fans ever since it dropped.
Renaissance debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and also makes this year’s biggest week by a woman with 332,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 4, per Billboard.
The icon’s lead single “Break My Soul” off of the new LP landed her in good company with Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. When that song entered the top 20, Bey became the first woman ever to rack up at least 20 top 10 hits as a solo act and 10 or more top 10s as a group member on the Billboard Hot 100. She later released a surprise EP containing four remixes of “Break My Soul” with Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am, Chicago house icon Terry Hunter, global electronic DJ/ producer Honey Dijon, and New York-bred DJ and producer Nita Aviance. A fifth remix featuring Madonna dropped earlier this month.
Prior to the release of Renaissance, Bey told fans, vi her website: “Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world. It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”
The 28-time Grammy winner went on to express gratitude to those who inspired her in the creating process of the album: “I want to give a special thank you to Rumi, Sir, and Blue for allowing me the space, creativity, and inspiration. And a special thanks to my beautiful husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio. A big thank you to my uncle Johnny. He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album. Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long. This is a celebration for you. Thank you to my Parkwood crew, my slab, Dream, and all of the talented producers involved. Mama, I luhhhh you. To my father, my O.G., my first teacher: You inspire me in every move that I make. I love you.”
Lastly, the icon gave a special shoutout to the Beyhive: “To all of my fans: I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are. Love y’all deep, B.”
Take a look at the best lines from each song in Renaissance:
