Top 5 Beyonce Albums that Shook the Beyhive and the World
Beyonce Albums have taken the world by storm. Bops, anthems, and masterpieces were made. Below I listed my top 5 Beyonce Albums that establish Queen B’s supremacy over the music industry.
1. B’day
Bday is the sophomore album that followed up “Dangerously in Love.” It features 70s and 80s funk, balladry, and urban contemporary influences. Most of the lyrics from this album are inspired by her experience starring “Dreamgirls,” her breakout movie role. This was the start of her personal journey era. The album explored mature themes that the first did not, establishing an improvement in songwriting and craftsmanship in music.
B’day features a great catalog of songs. One highlight is “Irreplaceable,” a wonderful semi-ballad about growing apart from a loved one. The song has shocked many fans because of how stripped back it is since they are used to hearing nothing but bops.
Another highlight single is “Beautiful Liar” with Shakira. This song has also tested B’s boundaries with music. She has definitely expanded what she could do with music. In the song, B and Shakira duet together to a Latin-flavored song. The instrumentals slightly remind me of the Mexican desert for some reason.
2. I Am… Sasha Fierce
This era introduces B’s alter ego, Sasha Fierce. It is a massive project that is split into two parts. The first one features stripped-back instrumentalization and raw vocals. The second one is all about bop, a feature she is known for. This album further challenges her emotional content and vulnerability, earning her more versatility points.
Some really good singles came out of this era. “If I Were a Boy” became one of Beyonce’s most emotional hits. It puts her in the male perspective of life, giving her insight into what she would have done playing the role of her partner. This was followed by the massive hit “Single Ladies.” It is a great pick-me-up from the first single. It is all about female empowerment and we are here for it! One more great single is “Sweet Dreams.” It is a beautiful and ethereal song that really sounds dreamy. At first, I thought the song was by Rihanna since it reminded me of that artist.
I Am as proves that Beyonce’s catalog keeps getting better and better. Beyonce has withstood the test of time with this great album. This leaves her fans wondering what she’s got next in plan.
3. 4
I would like to coin this album as the most uplifting album of her discography. It is full of songs full of afro beats, Motown vibes, and other bops. It is a more positive album compared to her previous work. However, it still provides a great vibe!
The starter single is “Run the World (Girls).” Like Single Ladies, Run the World pushes the femininity message. It is all about how women have influenced so much of the planet. We do not give enough credit to the female species for teaching us lessons, giving us insight, and providing.
Another great single is “Love On Top,” a super classy song. The lyrics are super simple. They praise how love runs innately through us. This song has been played endlessly on the radio. I even heard it at multiple kid’s parties. This makes sense because this song is meant to unite families. This is such a simple yet super fun song that you can dance to.
Overall I find this album to be a great listen. Although there is no significant boundary pushed in this album, this is still one of the Beyonce albums on the list. It is full of bops and songs that can be put on listeners’ playlists.
4. Beyonce (Self-Titled)
This album is all about Beyonce reaching creative heights. It offers a variety of different sounds such as hip-hop, urban contemporary, and piano ballads. Content-wise, Beyonce also swims in explicit waters. She explores themes of empowerment, sex, and relationship issues. Sexuality was explored in previous albums but this time, it is not as implicit.
“Drunk In Love,” the first single, seems to be a response to B’s first successful hit “Dangerously in Love.” In the older song, Beyonce expresses the excitement of first love. The song definitely indicates a young love that is yet to be explored. Drunk in Love is about a married couple. It shows a mature romance. Jay Z makes an appearance on both songs, completing the Love prophecy. It shows how things have gone from collaborating as younger lovers in “Dangerously in Love” to performing as spouses in “Drunk in Love.” Their child, Blue Ivy, makes an appearance in the song, “Blue.”
Beyonce is a massive album that is almost like a collaboration project between her and many artists. She worked with Drake, Frank Ocean, Sia, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell, and Kanye West. An entire hall of fame in one body of work.
5. Lemonade
Last, but certainly not least, Lemonade. I will never forget watching the visual album that paired with this masterpiece collection. I have never been so enticed by an array of songs from her.
First of all, Lemonade follows an emotional journey on her husband’s infidelity, giving us the greatest diss tracks of all time. She does not shy away from smack-talking, bantering, and threatening her spouse (aka Jay-Z). This is also the most she has ever cursed on an album of hers.
As the album progresses, Beyonce explores self-reflection, family ties, and American political issues. This album became bigger than her.
Lemonade also gives us jazz, hip hop, urban, folk, and other genres. All in one single album. Isn’t that incredible?
This is her most critically acclaimed body of work. The majority of the Beyhive also claims this to be her best album to date. I do not disagree. Lemonade solidifies Queen Bee’s evolution as an artist while remaining to keep her super-diva status.
