Not only is today Beyoncé‘s 45th birthday, but she’s also celebrating the 20-year anniversary of her second studio album, “B’DAY.” The coming-of-age project, released on September 4, 2006, introduced the world to a “bold, new voice” as Beyoncé sought to show a new side of herself beyond her Destiny’s Child image. The album, which earned the singer two Grammys in the early 2000s, was recorded in two weeks, and according to the mother of three, the tracks were created to bring energy to every party.
According to a new press release, Beyoncé recalled what was going through her mind when she created “B’DAY” in 2006. “I wanted the album to be big, percussive, hard, up-tempo, and energized, and it was important to me that we used live instrumentation,” she said, noting that she wanted to highlight bridges, melodies, and harmonies while hip-hop was taking over.
“The goal was to blend those two worlds through the art of sampling. I loved the minimalism of a beautiful vocal arrangement over a simple drum loop or a classic guitar like ‘Irreplaceable’…but only if that 808 was banging underneath,” she continued.
‘B’DAY’ Reissue Will Feature Remastered Beyoncé Music Videos
While Beyoncé coined the phrase “visual album” with her 2013 self-titled album, “BEYONCÉ,” “B’DAY” was the singer’s first visual album, featuring short films with each song that explored the making of a relationship.
To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary, Beyoncé and her team remastered and recolored the videos and published them in 4K, including “Déjà Vu,” directed by Sophie Muller.
And that’s not all that’s new. Beyoncé got back into the studio booth this time around, remastering the songs, which include chart-toppers like “Irreplaceable” and “Check On It.”
The 20-year anniversary will also include new images from the original “B’DAY” shoot, shot on location in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Beyoncé Released ‘Morning Dew’ Earlier This Year
Beyoncé kicked off the reissue of “B’DAY” earlier this year, when she released “Morning Dew (DONK)” on July 4th. According to The Blast, “Morning Dew” is a four-minute sultry track all about enjoying the special moments with a romantic partner.
“And he said girl, you s-xy in the mornin’, you know you turn me on, babe / You know the sun rise for you, give me that mornin’ dew / You know that I wanted you, want your mornin’ / You know the sun rise for you, give me that mornin’ dew / Donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk’ / Donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk-ey, donk,” Beyoncé sings.
New Music Has Arrived
In addition to “Morning Dew,” Beyoncé included Spanish-language songs that speak to the singer’s “love and admiration for the culture and incredible artists who contributed and continue to build up the genre.”
“Irreemplazable (Como La Flor),” featuring Selena, is a “momentous inclusion,” the press release reads, and “Cuerpo Tumbao (Get Me Bodied)” feat. Maluma marks the first time Beyoncé has collaborated with the Colombian artist, whom she greatly respects.
Beyoncé Releases $1,000 Merch
New videos and surprise tracks aren’t the only things Beyoncé surprised her fans with on her 45th birthday. On her website, the singer/songwriter dropped a massive line of “B’DAY” merchandise, from clothing bundles to hoodies to exclusive vinyls.
Most of the apparel includes images of Beyoncé from the “B’DAY” photo shoot, while others include behind-the-scenes material from her “Beyoncé Experience” tour.
The reaction wasn’t necessarily positive, however, considering the bundles range from $190 to $350. And that’s not all. Also on the merch list is a wooden box meant to store the singers’ vinyls, priced at $950.
“A $1,000 wooden box, Beyoncé????” someone wrote on X. “$350 dollars for gold strips, a makeup bag, and a half ounce of Creole spritz?” another wrote.
“These prices… SHE DONE LOST HER MOTHER MIND,” a third posted, prompting a fourth to say, “Beyoncé needs to have Afterpay/Klarna set up for her website, bro.”
