Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé began performing in local competitions at age 7, eventually forming the group Girl's Tyme in 1990 with help from her parents. Girl's Tyme became Destiny's Child in 1997.
During the hiatus of Destiny's Child in 2003, Beyoncé released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, which became one of the most successful albums of that year, and signaled her viability as a solo artist. The disbanding of Destiny's Child in 2005 facilitated her continued success: her sophomore solo album B'Day, released in 2006, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. Her third solo album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, was released in November 2008, and in 2009 she received 10 Grammy Awards nominations. On January 31, 2010, she won 6 Grammy Awards, breaking the record for most Grammy awards won by a female artist in one night; she previously held the record of five awards with 5 other artists. Following a career hiatus, Beyoncé released her fourth studio album entitled "4" on June 24, 2011, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.
2013 - 5th Album - "Beyoncé"
On December 12, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her fifth and self-titled album in the iTunes Store. Beyoncé called it a "visual album" as it includes 14 songs and 18 videos - with each track having a music video together with additional bonus videos. The album has a list of collaborators including Drake, Frank Ocean and her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy.
2015
In February 2015 at the 57th Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won 3 Grammys (and was nominated for 6 Grammy awards) - Best R&B Song for "Drunk in Love", Best R&B Performance and Best Surround Sound Album for Beyoncé.
On April 4th, 2015, Beyoncé surprised her fans with the release of a new single and accompanying video, released exclusively on the streaming service "Tidal" which she co-owns with a number of other big name starts including Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Jack White, Kanye West, Madonna, Rihanna and Usher. The track, "Die With You" is a stripped down ballad, with Beyoncé sitting at a piano with pigtail braids: the song celebrates the seventh anniversary of her marriage to Jay-Z.
Super Bowl - February 2016
Beyoncé appeared on stage to perform her latest single "Formation", supporting the headline act Coldplay at the much coverted Super Bowl 50 half-time show on February 7, 2016. Also appearing on stage was Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson who performed their hit "Uptown Funk".
2016 - 6th Album - "Lemonade"
"Lemonade" is Beyoncé's a sixth solo album and was released on April 23, 2016 as an exclusive on the music streaming service, Tidal after it premiered on the TV Network, HBO, as a conceptual short film. It was subsequently made available for purchase on Apple's iTunes Store on April 24, 2016. The album has 12 tracks, with contributions from artists such as James Blake and Kendrick Lamar. According to a press release from Tidal which accompanied the release, "Lemonade" is “based on every woman’s journey of self-knowledge and healing”.
2017 - Grammy Awards
At the 59th Grammy Awards on Sun, February 12, 2017, Beyoncé took awards for "Best Urban Contemporary Album" for "Lemonade" and "Best Music Video" for "Formation"
2022 - 7th Album - "RENAISSANCE" (ACT i)
After a 6 year hiatus from music, Beyoncé announced the lead single "BREAK MY SOUL" on June 20, 2022, for her seventh studio album “RENAISSANCE" which is the first installment of a three-part project. "RENAISSANCE" was released on July 29, 2022, and was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to inspire joy in listeners. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the best-rated album of 2022, named the best album of the year by publications such as the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, NPR, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone, which would later place the record at number 71 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. It then was nominated for Album of The Year at the 65 Annual Grammy Award Show and won Best Dance/Electronic Album.
2024 - 8th Album - "COWBOY CARTER" (ACT ii)
2 years after her seventh studio album, "RENAISSANCE", Beyoncé announced her eighth studio album "COWBOY CARTER" also known as “ACT ii” released on March 29, 2024. This serves as the second installment of the three-part project, and as long rumoured, its genre is country. The album was teased through a Verizon ad aired during the Super Bowl LVIII and was preceded with two surprise singles both released on February 10, 2024, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "16 CARRIAGES".
Miscellaneous
Beyoncé began her acting career in 2001, appearing in the musical film Carmen: A Hip Hopera. In 2006, she starred in the lead role in the film adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls, for which she earned two Golden Globe nominations.
On April 4, 2008, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were married in a small, private ceremony in New York. On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Beyoncé is sometimes referred to as Jay-Z's wifey and/or, Jay-Z's boo thang.
Beyoncé launched her family's fashion line, House of Deréon, in 2004, and has endorsed such brands as Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani and L'Oréal.
In 2009, Forbes listed Beyoncé fourth on its list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the world, third on its list of the top-grossing musicians, and number one on the list of top Best-Paid Celebs Under 30 with over $87 million dollars in earnings between 2008 and 2009.
Beyoncé has attained five Hot 100 number one singles, becoming one of the two female artists—joint with Rihanna—with the most number ones attained within the 2000s, excluding her three Hot 100 number one singles with Destiny's Child.
Spirit
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Uishi kwa, uishi kwa)
Uishi kwa muda mrefu mfalme
(Uishi kwa, uishi kwa)
Yeah, yeah, and the wind is talkin'
Yeah, yeah, for the very first time
With a melody that pulls you towards it
Paintin' pictures of paradise
Sayin' rise up to the light in the sky, yeah
Watch the light lift your heart up
Burn your flame through the night
Whoa, spirit
Watch the heavens open (open), yeah
Spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin')
Yeah
Yeah, yeah, and the water's crashin'
Trying to keep your head up high
While you're tremblin', that's when the magic happens
And the stars (stars) gather by (gather by)
By your side
Sayin' rise up to the light in the sky, yeah
Let the light lift your heart up
Burn your flame through the night
Yeah, spirit
Watch the heavens open (open), yeah
Spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin')
Yeah (yeah)
Your destiny is comin' close
Stand up and fight
So go into that far off land
And be one with the great I am, I am
Boy becomes a man
Whoa, spirit
Watch the heavens open (open), yeah
Spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin'?) Yeah
Spirit, yeah, watch the heavens open, open, yeah
Spirit, spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin')
Yeah (yeah)
Your destiny is comin' close
Stand up and fight
So go into a far off land
And be one with the great I am
The lyrics to "Spirit" by Beyoncé are a reflection of the journey towards self-discovery, inner strength, and rising above the challenges. The Swahili phrase "Uishi kwa muda mrefu mfalme" translates to "Long live the king," which represents a message of perseverance and resilience. The opening verse encourages the king to live long, which suggests that every person has an inner ruler that should endeavor and reign to face life's challenges. The wind symbolizes a new beginning, and the melody brings paradise into the mindset of the audience. Beyoncé suggests that we rise up to the light in the sky to let it lift our hearts up and burn our flames through the night. This line symbolizes the power of the inner strength that we need to overcome obstacles and reach our destiny.
The chorus "Spirit, watch the heavens open" is a call to the universe, asking for a higher calling to respond to the difficulties while the water symbolizes our fears and struggles. By trying to keep our head above them, we are essentially fighting to stay alive. It’s when we face trepidation head-on that magic truly happens, and we will have the help of the stars to guide us. The song's message is to stay focused on the limitless possibilities that come when we persist and believe in ourselves. The second verse encourages the listener to embrace their destiny that is close enough to reach. Beyoncé states that we should go into the far-off land to become one with the "great I am," which is a representation of the divine being.
Line by Line Meaning
Uishi kwa muda mrefu mfalme (Live long, king)
Wishing longevity to a person in a position of power.
Yeah, yeah, and the wind is talkin' (Yeah, yeah, and the wind is talking)
The environment is communicating with the singer through the direction and sound of the wind.
With a melody that pulls you towards it (With a melody that pulls you towards it)
The melody is captivating and draws the listener in.
Paintin' pictures of paradise (Painting pictures of paradise)
The melody creates imagery of a heavenly place.
Sayin' rise up to the light in the sky, yeah (Saying rise up to the light in the sky, yeah)
Encouraging the listener to strive towards their goals represented by the light in the sky.
Watch the light lift your heart up (Watch the light lift your heart up)
The light represents hope and motivation, and observing it will bring joy.
Burn your flame through the night (Burn your flame through the night)
The listener must continue to work hard towards their goals even during difficult times.
Whoa, spirit (Whoa, spirit)
Expressing excitement about the energy and motivation within oneself.
Watch the heavens open (open), yeah (Watch the heavens open (open), yeah)
Witnessing a divine intervention that will help achieve a goal.
Spirit, can you hear it callin'? (Callin') (Spirit, can you hear it calling? (Calling))
Asking if the listener can sense the motivational energy calling out to them.
Yeah, yeah, and the water's crashin' (Yeah, yeah, and the water's crashing)
The environment presents obstacles, as represented by the crashing water.
Trying to keep your head up high (Trying to keep your head up high)
The listener must maintain their motivation and mindset in spite of obstacles.
While you're tremblin', that's when the magic happens (While you're trembling, that's when the magic happens)
Overcoming fear and uncertainty leads to the greatest achievements.
And the stars (stars) gather by (gather by) by your side (Stars gather by your side)
The stars symbolize supporters and loved ones who are there for the listener, even in challenging times.
Your destiny is comin' close (Your destiny is coming close)
The listener is close to achieving their goal.
Stand up and fight (Stand up and fight)
Urging the listener to persevere and overcome any remaining obstacles.
So go into that far off land (So go into that far off land)
Encouraging the listener to pursue their dreams, even if it takes them to a faraway place.
And be one with the great I am, I am (And be one with the great I am, I am)
Connecting with a higher power and becoming one with the universe.
Boy becomes a man (Boy becomes a man)
Symbolizing personal growth and maturation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Timothy Lee Mckenzie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
josiah
on CUFF IT
I feel like fallin' in love (fallin' love)
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up (tonight, I'm fuckin' somethin' up, baby)
I need some drink in my cup (I need a drink)
Hey (pour me a drink)
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up (I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up)
I wanna go missin'
I need a prescription
I wanna go higher, can I sit on top of you? (Ooh-la-la-la, la-la-la)
I wanna go where nobody's been (wanna go where nobody's been)
Have you ever had fun like this? (Have you ever had fun? Yeah)
We gon' fuck up the night, black lights
Spaceships fly (spaceships fly)
Yeah, unapologetic when we fuck up the night
Fuck up the night
We gettin' fucked up tonight
We gon' fuck up the night
Bet you you'll see far
Bet you you'll see stars
Bet you you'll elevate
Bet you you'll meet God
'Cause I feel like fallin' in love
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up
'Cause we gon' fuck up the night
What's in these four walls?
You sexy, my love (turn it up)
Don't miss this roll-call
Is you here or what? (Roll it up)
Yeah, show up, show up (show up, show up)
Po' up, po' up (po' up, po' up)
Uh, you Mr. Nasty, I'll clean it up
Go where nobody's been (wanna go where nobody's been)
Have you ever had fun like this? (Have you ever had fun? Yeah)
I wanna go missin'
I need a prescription
I wanna go higher, can I sit on top of you?
We gon' fuck up the night (funk it up, funk it up)
Black lights
Spaceships fly (spaceships fly)
Yeah, unapologetic when we fuck up the night (funk it up, funk it up)
Fuck up tonight
We gettin' fucked up tonight
We gon' fuck up the night
Bet you you'll see far
Bet you you'll see stars
Bet you you'll elevate
Bet you you'll meet God
'Cause I feel like fallin' in love
I'm in the mood to fuck somethin' up
We gon' fuck up the night
Hypersonic, sex erotic
On my body, boy, you got it
Hit them 'draulics, while I ride it
Got me actin' hella thotty
So excited, so exotic
I'm a seasoned professional
Squeeze it, don't let it go
Tease it, no self control
I got time today (I got time today, I got time)
Oh, I (I got time today, I got time)
I can't wait 'to come out and play
Ooh, yeah you
Come and cuff it, cuff it, cuff it, cuff it, baby
While I buss it, buss it, buss it, for you baby, ayy
Oh, baby
Anywhere, any time
I don't mind, I don't mind
Yeah (I don't mind)
For you (all for you)
I'm backin' the truck up, huh (back that truck up)
For you (all for you, for you)
A bitch'll get fucked up, huh (I fucked her up)
For you (all for you)
I'm puttin' my cup up, huh (put my cup up, yeah)
For you (all for you, you)
'Cause we gon' fuck up the night
Take flight (woo), blindin' lights (yeah)
Fuck it up, fuck it up, fuck it up
(Unapologetic when we fuck up the night)
Bet you you'll see stars (night)
Bet you you'll go far (night)
Bet you you'll levitate (night)
Bet you you'll meet God (party people, roll up)
Ooh (yeah)
We gon' fuck up the night (huh, yeah)
Spaceships fly
Fuck it up, fuck it up