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.
Freakum Dress
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not!
Hold up, bring the beat back
Stop! I ain't ready yet
Wait! Let me fix my hair, yes, yes
Yes ma'am, yes ma'am
Now pass me my dress, yes
Been locked up in the house way too long
It's time to get it
'Cause once again he's out doing wrong
And my girls are so real
Said it's been a minute since I had some
He's been actin' up
But he won't be the only one
'Cause when he acts wrong, that's when you put it on
Get him uptight, this is your song
Hold out your back, time to impress
Pull out your freakum dress
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, every woman got one
Oh, shut it down when the time comes
Oh, pull out the big guns
Oh, and put your freakum dress on
Soon as he saw me
Turned on by how the dress was fittin' right
Short and backless (backless, backless)
See my silhouette in the moonlight
Such an attraction
Keep tellin' me how my outfit's so nice
Little did he know
Ha, my man gon' take it off tonight
'Cause when he act wrong, that's when you put it on
Get him uptight, this is your song
Hold out your back, time to impress
Pull out your freakum dress
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, every woman got one
Oh, shut it down when the time comes
Oh, pull out the big guns
Oh, and put your freakum dress on
All the ladies, you ain't these
All dressed up in your dresses
And your bestest with no reason
Get ready to freakum, freakum
When you put it on it's an invitation
When they play your song, get on up and shake it
Work it out your back, you don't have to waste it
Spin it all around then take it to the ground and
When you put it on it's an invitation
When they play your song, get on up and shake it
Work it out your back, you don't have to waste it
Spin it all around then take it to the ground and ooh
'Cause when he act wrong, that's when you put it on
Get him uptight, this is your song
Hold out your back, time to impress
Pull out your freakum dress
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, put your freakum dress on (freakum, freakum, freakum)
Oh, put your freakum dress on (freakum, yeah)
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Oh, every woman got one (every woman got one)
Oh, shut it down when the time comes (time comes)
Oh, pull out the big guns
Oh, and put your freakum dress on
Ladies look it here
When you been with your man for a long time, oh
Every now and then you gotta go in the back of that closet
And pull out that freakum dress, oh
I got my freakum dress on
I got my freakum dress on, oh
I got my freakum dress on
I got my freakum dress on, oh
"Freakum Dress" by Beyoncé describes the moment when a woman puts on her best dress, her “freakum dress,” to impress a man who has been acting up. In the beginning, Beyoncé sets the scene as she “fixes her hair” and asks for her dress. She’s ready to go out and show off her best look for her man. She knows it’s been a while since she’s had some real fun and is ready to take the night by storm. She is confident in her choices and is sure that her dress will turn the eyes of anyone who sees her.
Beyonce goes on to explain how women should embrace their “freakum dress” as every woman has one. It’s the dress that accentuates all the right curves in all the right places. The dress that will shut down every room when you get there. As she states, it’s time to pull out your “big guns” and show the world what you’ve got! It’s your chance to be comfortable in your own skin, feel empowered and show everyone that you’re confident in yourself.
Overall, “Freakum Dress” by Beyoncé is an anthem of female empowerment, encouraging women to embrace and flaunt their sexuality confidently.
Line by Line Meaning
To be or not to be
Considering whether or not to do something
Not!
Deciding not to do it
Hold up, bring the beat back
Asking to repeat the music
Stop! I ain't ready yet
Requesting a pause to get prepared
Wait! Let me fix my hair, yes, yes
Wanting to fix one's appearance
Yes ma'am, yes ma'am
Agreeing and acknowledging
Now pass me my dress, yes
Asking for someone to give the dress
I think I'm ready
Feeling confident to do something
Been locked up in the house way too long
Staying indoors for too much time
It's time to get it
Thinking it's time to do something
'Cause once again he's out doing wrong
Because someone is misbehaving again
And my girls are so real
Having supportive female friends
Said it's been a minute since I had some
A long time without having fun
He's been actin' up
Misbehaving
But he won't be the only one
Not letting someone misbehave alone
'Cause when he acts wrong, that's when you put it on
Wearing a special dress to get someone's attention
Get him uptight, this is your song
Making someone interested and excited
Hold out your back, time to impress
Presenting oneself in a charming way
Pull out your freakum dress
Wear a special outfit to be sexy
Oh, put your freakum dress on
Wear the special outfit
Every woman got one
Every woman has a special outfit
Shut it down when the time comes
Stunning everyone with the special outfit
Pull out the big guns
Using the best resources
All the ladies, you ain't these
Encouraging all the ladies to do it
All dressed up in your dresses
Wearing fancy clothes
And your bestest with no reason
Trying to look the best without a particular reason
Get ready to freakum, freakum
Getting ready to be sexy and impress
When you put it on it's an invitation
Wearing the special outfit to invite someone's attention
When they play your song, get on up and shake it
Dancing and enjoying the moment
Work it out your back, you don't have to waste it
Proving oneself attractive and capable
Spin it all around then take it to the ground and
Moving around attractively
Soon as he saw me
As soon as he laid eyes on me
Turned on by how the dress was fittin' right
Finding the dress attractive
Short and backless (backless, backless)
Revealing and sexy
See my silhouette in the moonlight
Observing oneself in the moonlight
Such an attraction
Being very attractive
Keep tellin' me how my outfit's so nice
Receiving compliments about one's appearance
Little did he know
Without him knowing
Ha, my man gon' take it off tonight
Expecting one's partner to remove it later
Ladies look it here
Attention all ladies
When you been with your man for a long time, oh
Been together for a long time
Every now and then you gotta go in the back of that closet
Sometimes it's good to use the special dress
And pull out that freakum dress, oh
Wear the sexy outfit
I got my freakum dress on
Wearing the sexy outfit
Freakum, freakum, freakum
Being sexy and attractive
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Angela Beyince, Beyonce Knowles, Makeba Riddick, Rich Harrison
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