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.
Upgrade U
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talk yo' shit
(Partner let me upgrade you)
How you gon' upgrade me what's higher than number one?
You know I used to beat that block
Now I be's the block (partner let me upgrade you)
I hear you be the block, but I'm the lights that keep the streets on
I'm known to walk alone, but I'm alone for a reason
Sending me a drink ain't appeasing, believe me
Come harder, this won't be easy
Don't doubt yourself trust me, you need me
This ain't no shoulder with a chip, or an ego
But what you think they all mad at me for?
You need a real woman in your life (that's a good look)
Taking care, home and still fly (that's a good look)
And I'ma help you build up your account (that's a good look)
Better yet a hood look, believe me (ladies that's a good look)
When you're in them big meetings, for the mills (that's a good look)
You take me just to complement the deals (that's a good look)
And anything you cop, I'll split the bill (that's a good look)
Better yet a hood look, believe me (ladies that's a good look)
Partner, let me upgrade you, Audemars-Piguet you
Switch your neck ties to purple labels
Upgrade you, I can (up), can I? (Up), lett me (up) grade you
Partner, let me upgrade you
Partner, let me upgrade you
Flip a new page
Introduce you to some new things, and upgrade you
I can (up), can I? (Up), let me, upgrade you?
Partner, let me upgrade you
I can do for you, what Martin did for the people
Ran by the men, but the women keep the tempo
It's very seldom, that you're blessed to find your equal
Still played my part and let you take the lead role, believe me
I'll follow, this could be easy
I'll be the help, whenever you need me (you need me)
I see your hustle with my hustle, I can keep you
Focused on your focus, I can feed you
You need a real woman in your life (that's a good look)
Taking care, home and still fly (that's a good look)
I can help you build up your account (that's a good look)
Better yet a hood look, believe me (ladies that's a good look)
When you're in the big meetings, for the mills (that's a good look)
You take me just to complement the deals (that's a good look)
Anything you cop, I'll split the bill (that's a good look)
Better yet a hood look, believe me I can upgrade you (ladies that's a good look)
Partner, let me upgrade you, Audemars-Piguet you
Switch your neckties to purple labels (have you rocking purple labels)
Upgrade you, I can (up), can I? (Up), let me (up) grade you
Partner, let me upgrade you
Partner, let me upgrade you
Flip a new page
Introduce you to some new things, and (uh) Upgrade (HOV) You
I can (up), (uh), can I? (Up), let me, (HOV), upgrade you
Partner, let me upgrade you
Uh huh, I be's the d-boy, who infiltrated all the corporate dudes
They call shots, I call audibles
Jacob the Jeweler, baubles, Lauraine Schwartz, oughta do
It's big balling baby, when I'm courting you
I'm talking spy bags, and fly pads, and
Rooms at the Bloomberg, and rumors you on the verge
Of a new merge, 'cause that rock on ya finger'ss like a tumor
You can't fit ya hand in ya new purse
It's humorous, to me they watching and we just yachting
Island hopping off the Amalfi coast
Mafios, oh baby, you ever seen Saturn?
No, not the car, but everywhere we are
You're sure to see stars, this is high level not eye level
My bezel, courtesy of Audemars
I order yours tomorrow, now look at the time I saved you
Mama, let me upgrade you
Just when you think we had it all
Big ends, condos, collecting cars
Picture your life elevating with me
Make you my project celebrity I keep your name hot in them streets
And it's that little glimpse of light that makes that diamond really shine
And you already is a star, but
Unless you're flawless
Then ya dynasty ain't complete without a chief, like me
Partner, let me upgrade you, Audemars Piguet you
Switch your neckties to purple labels
Upgrade you, I can (up), can I? (Up) let me upgrade you
Partner, let me upgrade you
Partner, let me upgrade you
Flip a new page
Introduce you to some new things, and upgrade you
I can (up), can I? (Up), let me, upgrade you
Partner, let me upgrade you, upgrade you
Audemars Piguet watch, dimples in ya necktie
Hermès briefcase, Cartier tie clips
Silk-lined blazers, diamond creamed facials
Vvs cuff-links, six-star pent suites
Partner, let me, upgrade ya, 'grade ya
Partner, partner, let me, upgrade you, 'grade you
Let me, let me, let me, upgrade you, 'grade you
Partner, partner, partner, let me upgrade you
In "Upgrade U," Beyoncé is speaking directly to her partner, offering to help him elevate his status in life. She starts by acknowledging his achievements, stating that he used to be "the block," but now she is "the lights that keep the streets on," implying that she can help him achieve even greater success. Beyoncé then tells him she can provide the support and care that a "real woman" can offer, including taking care of the home and helping him build his account. She also notes that she can be a valuable asset when he's in big meetings, complementing his deals and making a good impression on those he's working with.
The song goes on to highlight Beyoncé's own accomplishments, showcasing the fact that she is more than capable of keeping up with her partner in both his personal and professional pursuits. She tells him that she can match his hustle with her own, and that she can help him focus on his goals and become even more successful.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of having a strong, supportive partner who can help you achieve your goals and elevate your life in ways you may not have dreamed possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah B Talk yo' shit (Partner let me upgrade you)
I'm going to talk about how I can upgrade you, so listen up.
How you gon' upgrade me what's higher than number one? You know I used to beat that block Now I be's the block (partner let me upgrade you)
You might think you can't upgrade me because I'm already on top, but I used to be where you are now and I can help you get to where I am.
I hear you be the block, but I'm the lights that keep the streets on Notice you the type, that like to keep them on a leash though I'm known to walk alone, but I'm alone for a reason Sending me a drink ain't appeasing, believe me Come harder, this won't be easy Don't doubt yourself trust me, you need me This ain't no shoulder with a chip, or an ego But what you think they all mad at me for?
You might think you're in charge, but I'm the one who makes things happen. Don't try to control me or buy me off, I'm not impressed. If you want to be with me, you need to step up your game and trust that I can help you succeed. And don't hate on me just because I'm confident.
You need a real woman in your life (that's a good look) Taking care, home and still fly (that's a good look) And I'ma help you build up your account (that's a good look) Better yet a hood look, believe me (ladies that's a good look) When you're in them big meetings, for the mills (that's a good look) You take me just to complement the deals (that's a good look) And anything you cop, I'll split the bill (that's a good look) Better yet a hood look, believe me (ladies that's a good look)
Being with me will make you look good and help you succeed. I'll take care of you and your finances, and I'll make sure you look good in front of other important people. And don't worry, I won't let you bear the financial burden alone.
Partner, let me upgrade you, Audemars-Piguet you Switch your neck ties to purple labels Upgrade you, I can (up), can I? (Up), lett me (up) grade you Partner, let me upgrade you
Let me help you upgrade your style and your accessories. I can make you look like a million bucks.
Partner, let me upgrade you Flip a new page Introduce you to some new things, and upgrade you I can (up), can I? (Up), let me, upgrade you? Partner, let me upgrade you
Let me show you new experiences and things that you might not have seen before. I can help you grow and improve yourself.
I can do for you, what Martin did for the people Ran by the men, but the women keep the tempo It's very seldom, that you're blessed to find your equal Still played my part and let you take the lead role, believe me
I can be your support system and help you achieve greatness. Women might not always be in charge, but we keep things moving. I'm not trying to take over, I just want to help you shine.
I'll follow, this could be easy I'll be the help, whenever you need me (you need me) I see your hustle with my hustle, I can keep you Focused on your focus, I can feed you
I'm here to support you and make things easier for you. I'll work just as hard as you do, and I'll help you stay focused so that you can achieve your goals.
Audemars-Piguet watch, dimples in ya necktie Hermès briefcase, Cartier tie clips Silk-lined blazers, diamond creamed facials Vvs cuff-links, six-star pent suites Partner, let me, upgrade ya, 'grade ya Partner, partner, let me, upgrade you, 'grade you Let me, let me, let me, upgrade you, 'grade you Partner, partner, partner, let me upgrade you
Let me help you upgrade your style and your lifestyle. I can provide you with expensive watches, briefcases, and other luxury items. I want to make you feel like a king and treat you like royalty.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Solange Knowles, Willie James Clarke, Beyonce Knowles, Makeba Riddick, Clarence Henry Reid, Shawn Carter, Angela Beyince, Sean Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Imani Hayes
Beyonce can dance her ass off. I've never seen an entertainer that can dance as good as Beyonce. JLo is great but Beyonce does more intricate and detailed moves. Beyonce is a true entertainer. I love seeing her electrifying dance moves!!!!!!
Cash Wrl
Britney once could but it's hard to watch her out of her prime.
kayla mccann
@Anari disagree. their choreography is more hip hop based, and while hers is too it is a lot of majorette style influence so it is a mix. but i have seen beyonce do hip hop plenty of times and i am positive she could do the “technical and advanced” choreo youre talking about. also idk why jlo is in this conversation
kayla mccann
i agree. she hits everything with so much fervor despite it being so intricate sometimes. im a dancer and i enjoy learning choreography then doing it but her choreography is sometimes really detailed and hard to learn just off watching 1 or 2 times. its crazy how much people discredit her when the stuff she does is usually pretty hard
Anari
Janet, Michael, Normani, Ciara, Tinashe, Jlo and etc are way better dancers than Beyoncé and their choreography is more technical and advanced. Beyoncé is still an amazing dancer tho the difference between her dancing and the others (besides MJ and Janet) is that her energy when dancing is powerful and she looks more natural when dancing she doesn’t look like she’s trying too hard unlike some of the others. But overall Bey is the superior performer and artist because she literally does it all and her stamina is out of this world.
Felicia Caldwell
She is such a fantastic entertainer
Mara Clara
She's performing with those heels
ineedhelpasapthanks
IKR.🥰🥰🥰🥰
Javier G Castro
Yess
Nilla Cray
im still trying to figure out how in the HELL did she do that melisma so perfect 1:08 - 1:12 and then just pop back in to the dancing like its NOTHING. This woman is the most perfected vocalist. argue with yo' mama