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.
Bow Down / I Been On
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm coming down dripping candy on the ground
H, H-town, town, I'm coming down
Coming down dripping candy on the ground
I know when you were little girls
You dreamt of being in my world
Don't forget it, don't forget it
I took some time to live my life
But don't think I'm just his little wife
Don't get it twisted, get it twisted
This my shit, bow down bitches
Bow down bitches, bow bow down bitches
Bow down bitches, bow bow down bitches
H-Town vicious, H-H-Town vicious
I'm so crown, bow bow down bitches
I'm out that H-town
Coming, coming down
I'm coming down dripping candy on the ground
H-H-town, town, I'm coming down
Coming down dripping candy on the ground
I been on, I been on, I been on
Tell me who gon' take me off
Take me off, take me off, take me off
'Cause I been on, I been on, I been on
Tell me who gon' take me off
Take me off, take me off, take me off
Rolling high, leather and wood
Keep it trill, that's what good
Kiss my momma, show that love
Pop them bottles in that club
I heard your boo was talking lip
I told my crew, to smack that trick
Smack that trick, smack that trick
Guess what they did, smack that trick
Gold everything, gold ass chain
Gold ass rings, gold ass fangs
You can see me stunt when you turn on ya screen
You can see me stunt when you turn on ya screen
I'm bigger than life, my name in the lights
I'm the number one chick, ain't need no hype
The capital B means, I'm 'bout that life
The capital B means, I'm 'bout that life
I been on, I been on, I been on
Tell me who gon' take me off
Take me off, take me off, take me off
'Cause I been on
I remember my baby hair with my dookie braids
Frenchy's, Boudin in the parking lot
Shout out to Willie D
I was in that Willie D video when I was about fourteen, looking crazy
Shout out to Pimp C
You know we used to sneak and listen to that UGK
Didn't do your girl but your sister was alright, damn
In ya homeboy's Caddy last night man, ha ha
Hold up, Texas trill
H-town going down, man
In this song, Beyoncé is declaring her dominance and power in the music industry, specifically in her hometown of Houston (also known as H-town). She proclaims that she is coming down, dripping candy on the ground - a metaphorical representation of her success and wealth.
She also addresses her female peers in the industry, telling them that they once dreamed of being in her world and they should not forget it. She demands respect and tells them to bow down to her. She reminds everyone that she is not just a wife and has taken the time to live her life and establish herself as a successful artist in her own right.
The chorus repeats her message of being unstoppable and untouchable, asking who is going to take her off her throne. She also pays homage to her Houston roots and gives shout-outs to influential figures in the city's music scene such as Willie D and Pimp C.
Overall, the song is a fierce declaration of Beyoncé's power and success, as well as a tribute to her hometown.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm out that H-town, coming, coming down
I am leaving Houston but slowly descending from my success and power.
I’m coming down dripping candy on the ground
My success is so overwhelming that it can be seen and tasted by everyone, like candy on the pavement.
I know when you were little girls
I am aware that you have looked up to me since you were young.
You dreamt of being in my world
You have always wished to have the immense fame and wealth that I do.
Don’t forget it, don’t forget it
Do not underestimate my power and ability to influence.
Respect that, bow down bitches
Show me the respect I deserve, and acknowledge my superiority over you.
I took some time to live my life
I have taken a break from the public eye to focus on myself.
But don’t think I’m just his little wife
Do not reduce me to just being a wife to a famous man.
Don’t get it twisted, get it twisted
Do not misunderstand my intentions or my power.
This my shit, bow down bitches
This is my world, and you should recognize and respect it.
Bow down bitches, bow bow down bitches
Bow down to me and show your submission to my power.
H-Town vicious, H-H-Town vicious
Houston is a tough and competitive place, so I am even more powerful to have risen to the top there.
I’m so crown, bow bow down bitches
I am the queen of my world, and you should bow down to me in recognition of that.
I been on, I been on, I been on
I have been successful and powerful for a long time.
Tell me who gon' take me off
Ask yourself, who can take away my power and success?
Take me off, take me off, take me off
No one can take away my power or success.
Rolling high, leather and wood
I live life to the fullest, with the finest things like expensive cars and furniture.
Keep it trill, that's what good
I stay true to who I am, and that is why I have achieved such success.
Kiss my momma, show that love
I am grateful for the support and love of my family, especially my mother.
Pop them bottles in that club
I celebrate my success by partying and drinking expensive champagne in nightclubs.
I heard your boo was talking lip
I heard that your boyfriend was saying negative things about me.
I told my crew, to smack that trick
I instructed my entourage to physically confront your boyfriend.
Smack that trick, smack that trick
Physically attack anyone who disrespects me or my reputation.
Guess what they did, smack that trick
My crew followed through on my instructions and confronted your boyfriend.
Gold everything, gold ass chain
I have the best and most expensive things, including gold jewelry.
Gold ass rings, gold ass fangs
I wear luxurious and extravagant jewelry like gold rings and teeth grills.
You can see me stunt when you turn on ya screen
I show off my wealth and status whenever I am on camera or in the media.
I’m bigger than life, my name in the lights
I am so famous and successful that my name is even in bright lights.
I’m the number one chick, ain’t need no hype
I am the most successful and popular female artist, and I don't need anyone else to promote me.
The capital B means, I’m ‘bout that life
The 'B' in my name signifies that I am a boss and am living my life to the fullest.
I remember my baby hair with my dookie braids
I recall a simpler time in my life when I had long braids as a child.
Frenchy’s, Boudin in the parking lot
I remember eating delicious Cajun food from specific restaurants in my hometown of Houston.
Shout out to Willie D
I give a shout out to rapper Willie D for being influential in my upbringing and musical journey.
I was in that Willie D video when I was about fourteen, looking crazy
I reflect on a time when I was in a music video with Willie D at a young age, and my appearance was wild and outlandish.
Shout out to Pimp C
I give a shout out to rapper Pimp C for his influence on my career and success in the music industry.
You know we used to sneak and listen to that UGK
UGK is a rap group hailing from Houston that both Pimp C and I enjoyed listening to, sometimes secretly.
Didn't do your girl but your sister was alright, damn
I indirectly insult someone's girlfriend by saying their sister was more attractive.
In ya homeboy’s Caddy last night man, ha ha
I rode in my friend's Cadillac last night and had a good time, as evidenced by my laughter.
Hold up, Texas trill
Wait just a moment, I am embodying the essence of what it means to be a Texan.
H-town going down, man
Houston, my hometown, is incredibly successful and respected in the music industry.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Beyonce Knowles, Chauncey Alexander Hollis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
IntolerableBehavior
The song that plays in my head when I walk into a room.
DreSims
Lmfaooooo
Sher Courtney
Years later ……. Still Plays in my Head! When it’s time to BOSS UP!
Candy
❤️❤️👏🏾
Theeblackariel Beckley
Cringe
Geisha Peach
Let’s put respect to this man’s name!! ✨🤘🏽👏🏽🙏🏽
ollie nonofurbuissnes
Beyonce made this song for all the people who like to put her down, for all the haters that like to get salty over anything she does. If you feel offended by this song then it was probably meant for you tbh
Queen Royalty
@JAYS ASMR baby I’m not a beyhive I just know she the queen bee
JAYS ASMR
@Queen Royalty Bruh I wish y’all fake ass beehive members would stop with the false information of why she put out this song. There’s a WHOLE VIDEO of her explaining why she put this song out
Queen Royalty
@Mostafa Must everybody have haterz but the thing with beyonce everybody was talking about how she was falling down and talk trash about her so she made this song because she was mad mad at the world because they was trying to replace her.