Beyoncé Knowles (March 2010 - May 2011)

[Kenysha75]

Christina Aguilera singing Single Ladies

 

[Kenysha75]

Beyonce Plans Three-Date France Concerts

This summer, Beyonce is taking the world full force like never before. Tickets have recently been made available for three (3) concerts in France. Tickets for all dates are only available for general admission purchase. The three dates will be: June 20, June 22, June 23 in cities Nice, Lille, and Amnéville les Thermes, respectively. Beyonce’s fourth studio album has a rumored release for summer 2011.
beyoncedaily.org

 

[Kenysha75]

Beyonce Added to T in the Park Lineup

Beyonce has been added to this summer’s T in the Park Festival. The festival takes place in Balado Park, Kinross in Scotland, where Beyonce will take the main stage on July 9th 2011. So far, Beyonce is set to play all over Europe in major summer festivals including Glastonbury and Oxegen. The singer’s lead single, “Run the World (Girls)” from her upcoming fourth studio album is now available on iTunes – make sure you download it if you haven’t!
beyoncedaily.org

 

[Kenysha75]

Beyonce for Oxegen Festival 2011

Beyonce has been announced as one of the performers for this year’s Oxegen Festival. The festival is held in Dublin, Ireland and will be the first time since the singer’s I Am… World Tour in 2009. Oxegen Festival Director, John Probyn, stated, “This year we’ve got most of the artists headlining the UK’s major festivals on one bill. We’re always striving to bring the biggest and best music talent to Oxegen,” adding “they really don’t come any bigger than Beyonce. She is a truly incredible artist and an amazing live performer.” The event will be held at Punchestown Racecourse, Co. Kildare from July 7-10 2011. Other performers on the roster are Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, and Foo Fighters. Tickets, starting at €99.50, are now on sale at Oxegen.ie/Ticket
beyoncedaily.org

 

[satellites]

Beyonce has been announced as Billboards Artist Of The Millennium.

 

[CommanderTMugler]

New "Run The World" teaser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3x_yiRm9K4

 

[CommanderTMugler]

- Gareth Pugh FW 2010/11

-Givenchy Haute Couture SS 2011

Sexuallyunbothered.tumblr/style

 

[fiqary]

facebook

Gorgeous!

 

[fiqary]

Billboard interview:

In the next chapter of her career, Beyoncé certainly seems dedicated to breaking new ground. It takes guts for one of the world's biggest pop stars to release such a stridently unconventional single as the militaristic, beat-driven "Run the World (Girls)," built around a freaky sample from relatively obscure indie favorites Major Lazer's club hit, "Pon de Floor." That's just the first salvo in the unexpected collage of sonic textures and unique song structures on her new album, which features edgy new collaborators like Switch (who makes up half of Major Lazer) along with established hitmakers like The-Dream. "There's nothing safe about it, I know that much," says The-Dream, who cowrote Beyoncé's career-redefining anthem, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," and was called in to help pen the new album's lead single. "That [kind of song treatment] would never happen with any other artist of her stature, male or female."

It's a sentiment Beyoncé seems keenly aware of herself. "I feel like my job in the industry is to push the limits, and I have to constantly evolve," Beyoncé explains of her new direction, while she's being chauffeured from a photo shoot on Long Island to a Manhattan recording studio for a meeting with the new creative team she's assembled. This independent woman, rounding the corner to the big 3-0 this year, happily married to Jay-Z, has taken the reins of her career like never before, and she wants it known that she is the one calling the shots. Her forthcoming solo album, "4," was made this past year without the guidance of Matthew Knowles, her father and longtime manager. She announced on March 28 this year that the two parted ways "on a business level." Raising a clenched fist on the cover of her new single, "Run the World (Girls)," Beyoncé clearly transmits her trademark message of female empowerment.

In this exclusive first interview about her next phase, the star took a look ahead at the thrilling new sounds and creative endeavors in store for her, while also* reminiscing about the many milestones along the way that have earned her Billboard's Millennium Award.

Whenever you put out a new song, it seems to generate a catchphrase. Is that something you think about?

That's what I always want to do - I'm attracted to songs that will become a dinner conversation! [laughs] With "Single Ladies," clearly I'd just gotten married, and people want to get married every day - then there was the whole Justin Timberlake thing [recreating the video] on "Saturday Night Live," and it was also the year YouTube blew up. With "Irreplaceable," the aggressive lyrics, the acoustic guitar, and the 808 [drum machine] - those things don't typically go together, and it sounded fresh. "Crazy in Love" was another one of those classic moments in pop culture that none of us expected. I asked Jay to get on the song the night before I had to turn my album in - thank God he did. It still never gets old, no matter how many times I sing it.


The new single, "Run the World (Girls)," is a very bold statement* for you.

It's definitely riskier than something a bit more...simple. I just heard the track and loved that it was so different: it felt a bit African, a bit electronic and futuristic. It reminded me of what I love, which is mixing different cultures and eras -- things that typically don't go together -- to create a new sound. I can never be safe; I always try and go against the grain. As soon as I accomplish one thing, I just set a higher goal. That's how I've gotten to where I am.


The new album is called "4." Aside from this being your fourth solo album, what significance does that number hold?

We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me. It's the day I was born. My mother's birthday, and a lot of my friends' birthdays, are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date.


How did the creative process begin with the new body of work?

I recorded more than 60 songs: everything I ever wanted to try, I just did it. I started off being inspired by [Afrobeat music pioneer] Fela Kuti. I actually worked with the band from "Fela!" [the hit Broadway musical based on his life] for a couple of days, just to get the feel for the soul and heart of his music; it's so sexy, and has a great groove you get lost in. I loved his drums, all the horns, how everything was on the one. What I learned most from Fela was artistic freedom: he just felt the spirit. I also found a lot of inspiration in '90s R&B, Earth, Wind & Fire, DeBarge, Lionel Richie, Teena Marie... I listened to a lot of Jackson 5 and New Edition, but also Adele, Florence + the Machine, and Prince. Add in my hip-hop influences, and you can hear how broad it is. I also gave myself more freedom to really belt out some songs, and bring soul singing back: I used a lot of the brassiness and grittiness in my voice that people hear in my live performances, but not necessarily on my records.


You're an icon of female empowerment. What does power mean to you?

Power means happiness, power means hard work and sacrifice. To me, it's about setting a good example, and not abusing your power! You still have to have humility: I've seen how you can lead by example, and not by fear. My visit to Egypt was a really big inspiration for me. Once the sun went down, I saw not one woman; it was shocking and fascinating to me, because it was so extreme. I saw thousands of men walking down the street, socializing in bars, praying in mosques - and no women. I felt really proud when I performed and saw the strength that the women were getting through the music. I remember being in Japan when Destiny's Child put out "Independent Women," and women there were saying how proud they were to have their own jobs, their own independent thinking, their own goals. It made me feel so good, and I realized that one of my responsibilities was to inspire women in a deeper way.


You're always on the go. Do you ever get downtime?

I got a day off to take my nephew to Disneyland, which was so much fun. I haven't done anything like that in probably 10 years - the last time I was at a theme park was with Destiny's Child! We rode all the rides, some of them twice, and it was my nephew's first time on a roller coaster. There were thousands of people there because it was Easter, but everyone was really polite and respectful, and let us walk around and have a great time. I had on the biggest Goofy hat! [laughs] It was supposed to be a disguise, with this big brim that covered my face, and floppy ears on the sides, but by the end of the trip I realized that people knew I was making a fool of myself in this hat. [laughs] It was a really nice memory for me.

This is your first record that you've made without your father managing you. What sort of options opened up that may be different than before?

It's not that anything bad happened between us. My family has my support always, and they support me, but when you've been working with the same people for 15 years, it's natural to eventually have your own ideas. I believe that parents prepare their kids for the moment that they're on their own: at this point, I'm taking everything my dad and my mother have taught me, and I'm able to do things my way. We were at a point where we'd learned so much from each other, and now it's exciting for me to do this on my own and hire my own team. I've started managing myself.


Your film career recently took an interesting turn. You've gone from "Dreamgirls" to "Cadillac Records" to "Obsessed," and now you're working with Clint Eastwood on the latest remake of "A Star is Born."

It's a dream come true; I'm still in shock that it's really going to happen. Clint Eastwood is clearly the absolute best, and I'm so honored and humbled. I was in no rush to do another movie unless it was the right film, and I didn't even want to touch "A Star is Born" unless it was with him. I actually learned that this project was in existence, and kind of claimed it. I want to get to work right now!


"A Star is Born" is an appropriate choice, as it follows the rise of a female singer to stardom. What have been your milestones on the way up?

I would say when Destiny's Child worked with Wyclef Jean on "No, No, No Part 2" - we were so young and green and in awe of everything, and couldn't wait to sing for him. And winning our Grammy for "Say My Name" was incredible. I remember hearing the song on the radio for the first time: I felt like "Wow, this sounds like a classic - something that will be around forever." Those melodies and that fast, staccato way of singing created a new style; it inspired a whole movement in R&B. Being part of that was amazing.


After all those achievements, what was it like going solo?

Scary and empowering! Everyone in the group was very nervous, and terrified to do things on our own. We missed each other; it was hard having to make your own decisions and not have someone there to say, "I agree" or "I don't agree." But going through that is a part of life; it was a big first step for me, but one of many first steps I'm sure I'll have. I kind of feel like that now again.

I'm approaching 30, and finally took a break in my life, which I've never had. I took more than a year off: I traveled around, spent time with my husband, woke up in my own bed, ate whatever I wanted, went to museums and Broadway plays, watched documentaries, and just had life experiences. I never get to go to concerts because I'm usually performing, so I saw so many shows - great bands, like Muse and Rage Against the Machine, that also inspired the album. There were a lot of artists I'd never been exposed to: I'm like a sponge and soak everything up, and I learned so much from watching these great performers. Having time to grow as a human being was really inspiring, and gave me a lot to pull from. I'm excited about growing: I can just have fun, and the artistic freedom to do whatever I want. At this point, I really know who I am, and don't feel like I have to put myself in a box. I'm not afraid of taking risks - no one can define me.

billboard

 

[Urban Stylin]

cANt wait for the new video to drop this FRIday! Love that billboard cover too

 

[fantastical]

great interview, I'm super excited about what's coming next for her

+ she confirmed that she will be doing the movie with Clint Eastwood. so that should be....interesting - to say the least lol

 

[dennab216]

Great great interview Thank you!

 

[CommanderTMugler]

The video will not drop this Friday as scheduled, it has been postponed until further notice......

 

[luisa]

thanks for the interview. as much as i like her, you can NOT tell me she is alright with this kinda response to "girls". i mean, they invested so much and made such a big deal of the song, the video (we are still waiting to see), everything.
i am curious to see what she will do next

 

[fiqary]

atrl.net

 

[redstar888]

Thanks you posted the pictures of W magazine covers. That b&w jupsuit is Louis Vouitton F/W 2011. I can't see the green thing properly. I barely can't wait for the video and album. Really it's 'bout time.

 

[Urban Stylin]

love the new covers

 

[Urban Stylin]

so wednesday..the video finally comes out

 

[CommanderTMugler]

She is currently taping her appearance for the final Oprah show that will air on May 24th and May 25th.

She is also debuting her video on American Idol on Wednesday...

 

[á la Balenciaga]

her song "girls" is literally trash. But I bet you anything her hubby will come to the secure by paying radio stations to play her singles.