Bey + Me Through the Years

Okay so anyone who knows me know that there are three things that I love more than anything else in this world:

#1: My Tribe

#2: My Cat, Miss Peaches

#3: Beyoncé. Gizelle. Knowles. Carter.

Now hold up! (No pun intended) Before you stop reading and start roasting me, let me clarify that I am not one of those delusional stans who will actually ruin someone’s life for blinking towards Queen Bey the wrong way (Pronounced BEE not BAY. Her name is BEEEEEE-yonce, okay!). I am, instead, one of those fans who will empty her bank account for concert tickets, and if that concert happened to fall on your wedding day, I would go to the ceremony, but I just might skip your reception (Okay, you can roast me for that.) I am also the type of fan who is prepared to write a dissertation about Mrs. Carter, just because.

So needless to say, when Blue Ivy’s #1 client announced that her seventh studio album, Renaissance, would drop on July 29th, my soul left my body. In fact, I can’t even confidently articulate my exact reaction because of how stunned and excited I was. The joy that radiated through my body was indescribable.

In honor of Renaissance dropping this week, here is my personal ranking of all of Beyoncé's solo studio projects, in order from my least favorite to my most favorite. There’s also an accompanied playlist specially curated for my fellow members of the Bey-hive, which includes my favorite tracks from each project, and can be found here.

[Note: This list will not include Everything is Love, The Gift, any of the live-concert albums, nor her work with Destiny’s Child]

#6 Dangerously in Love (2003)

Even though this album is at the technical bottom of my personal list, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hold a special place in my heart. Dangerously in Love is my least favorite only because Beyoncé has raised the bar so much since its release. It’s the launching pad of her solo-career, so when you think about it, Dangerously in Love was never made to be the best in the long run.

Also, I’m the least attached to the album on a personal level, because as a sheltered child who grew up in a mostly holy home, I wasn’t allowed to listen to about 50% of the album until much later in life. (In my mom’s defense, I was five days shy of 6-years old when it was released) Nonetheless, Dangerously in Love is iconic and one of the best debut albums of the 21st century. (I would say of all time, but I know how y’all like to tussle)

Top 4 Favorite Tracks:

Me, Myself, and I

Crazy in Love

Baby Boy

Dangerously in Love

#5 I am… Sasha Fierce (2008)

It was late 2008. I was 11-years old and nearly halfway into my 6th grade year when this double-album took my personal world by storm. Every weekday I would tune into 106 & Park to make sure that "Single Ladies" was still on the countdown, so that I could practice the iconic dance choreography. By this point, I was a pro at burning CD’s, but I’m pretty sure that I begged my mom for the album for Christmas that year, because I needed the authentic CD in my possession.

Once I got my hands on that album, baby, I wore it out! I would sing my heart out to “Broken Hearted Girl”, mentally directing unrequited energy towards my middle school crushes at the time who never noticed me. When I needed a confidence boost, "Diva" was my go-to, and when I was deep in my feelings, I'd turn on "Satellites". Just when I thought that I couldn’t love this album anymore, the extended version was released and included ballads like “Hello” and” “Smash Into You” and let me tell y’all something- I adore a good hearty ballad.

I Am... Sasha Fierce was my personal soundtrack to my middle school years, and one day when I have a daughter of my own, I’m going to sit and listen to it with her and reminisce on how much I loved this album when I was her age.

The only real reason why this album is closer to the bottom of my list is because, similar to Dangerously in Love, I look at it more as a steppingstone towards the Beyoncé that I know and love today, as opposed to one of her best works. To be honest, during its reign in my life, I overindulged in it and had to step away from the album for some time (translation: a few years) I just recently revisited I Am… Sasha Fierce, however, and was reminded of how much it meant to me then, and what it still means to me now.

Because of the unique nature of this project, I’m only going to list two of my favorite tracks from each section of I Am… Sasha Fierce.

Top 4 favorite Tracks

Disc 1: ( I am...)

Smash Into You

Hello

Disc 2: (Sasha Fierce)

Radio

Diva

#4 4 (2011)

I promise that I didn’t do this on purpose – it honestly just settled out to be this way.

4 debuted during the summer before my freshman year of high school, four days before my 14th birthday. Naturally, it was on the top of my birthday wish-list- this was Beyoncé's birthday gift to me, after all!

Now, real fans know that there are a few different versions of this album that was released- I had the standard edition, which started with 1+1. I remember being in awe of the power behind her voice as she went from this ballad to the next (I told y’all, I love a good ballad!). I instantly fell in love with "Countdown", and fangirled over Frank Ocean’s pen appearing on "I Miss You". This was Beyoncé's first project under Parkwood Entertainment, and if you listen closely, you can definitely hear the difference, as she had more creative freedom and self-agency.

I recently returned to this album, and I know this may seem biased but it really aged so well. "Party" is still a vibe, "I Was Here" still makes me emotional, and "Love on Top" still gives me a joyful jolt to the heart. This album feels like a hug from your favorite auntie, as she rocks you back and forth. You could feel every ounce of love that went into this project.

Technically speaking, Beyoncé's vocals on the album are some of the best of her career. The entire album was a BIG flex. She kindly reminded us that she is very much so a vocal powerhouse through the display of her full range, and that she truly deserves her title as Queen Bey.

Don’t argue with me, argue with ya mama. The proof is in the pudding.

Top 4 favorite tracks:

Countdown

I Miss You

End of Time

I Care

#3 Beyoncé (2013)

Speaking of big flexes, the Self-titled album was Beyoncé's biggest personal flex at the time of its release (arguably to date!) as it relates to her pop-cultural presence. Looking back, the surprise release of this album seemed like a victory lap in celebration of her continued relevancy, even after being in the industry for over fifteen years.

Although the pure shock factor and audacity behind the release could have landed this album at #3 on my list by itself, it’s actually here because it looks as good as it sounds, if not better. Every single visual is a work of art and truly leveled up the project as a whole. It’s evident that an intense amount of thought, care, time and resources went into bringing the vision to life.

I was inspired both creatively and intellectually, as feminist under and overtones were woven throughout the project from beginning to end – down to the bonus tracks like "Grown Woman" and "Flawless (Remix)". Beyoncé was deep into her grown woman bag with Self-titled, and the 16-year old version of me couldn’t wait to get grown so that I could sing along to every track with my full chest!

Every Beyoncé fan can tell you where they were and what they were doing when Beyoncé dropped. I was at home, minding my business, and nearly had an asthma attack when I got the news. It’s been almost 10 years since its release, and I’m still trying to catch my breath. This album cemented the fact that Beyoncé' isn't just an artist, she's an experience. What a time to have been alive!

Top 4 favorite Tracks:

Blow

Rocket

Mine

Drunk in Love

#2 B’Day (2006)

This is the album where I first fell in love with Beyoncé. I remember the moment so clearly: The Beyoncé Experience Live was being shown on BET, and I just so happened to tune into it. I was in awe of Beyoncé's energy and stage presence, and I sincerely loved the music. It was joyful, funky, assertive, and full of emotion.

An inquisitive child who was especially internet savvy, I fell into a Beyoncé rabbit hole and was astonished to find out that there was a music video for nearly every single song on the album! As an eight-year-old, I had no idea this was even possible and was extremely impressed. This is where I shifted from liking Beyoncé to absolutely adoring Beyoncé.

B’day was the background music to some of my fondest childhood memories made in Georgia. My neighborhood best friend, Adrian, and I would dance along to the extended version "Get Me Bodied" in my family's’ living room afterschool. My sisters, mom and I would sing "Irreplaceable" from the bottom of our stomachs while on Sunday family car rides. My dad would complain, but we’d just drown him out by singing even louder. [Fun fact: when I first heard "Irreplaceable, I misheard the lyrics and thought she was singing "You must not know what I mean". My mom still teases me about it today] I would spend all day outside with my neighborhood crew, having the girls teach me the dance to "Check Up On It" while I dodged my mom’s eagle eye as she made sure we didn’t go too far from the two-house perimeter that my sisters and I were allowed to roam, I wasn't allowed to shake my tail, so I had to be strategic about it.

As I grew older and began to comprehend the lyrics, this album was a major catalyst in influencing the feminist that I am today. It encouraged me to stand my ground, tell people what I want, and advocate for myself all while enjoying myself. B’day wasn’t necessarily about having the nicest things (although according to "Upgrade U" and "Suga Mama", there's nothing wrong with flexing whatcha got!) or obtaining a prize – it taught me that I am the prize. Most importantly, it taught me that it’s okay to love ferociously, and that even though it isn’t always easy, it’s always worth it. I love this album so very much, and I always will.

Top 4 Favorite Tracks

Deja-Vu

Resentment

Ring The Alarm

Green Light

#1 Lemonade (2016)

The only Beyoncé album that I love more than B’day is Lemonade.

It is undeniably Beyoncé's most cohesive and transparent project to date. With Lemonade, Beyoncé stepped away from the pedestal that the world put her on, and reminded us that she’s just a regular-degular black girl; a wife, daughter, sister, auntie and cousin who faces the same challenges as everyone else.

Coupled with the iconic 65 minute film and shaped by the stages of grief and divine femininity, Beyoncé not only walked us through her heartbreak, and how she overcame it, but she encouraged viewers and listeners to dig deeper, and to find healing within themselves as well. She was honest and raw and in a way that she didn’t spend as much time on in her previous projects (See: "Resentment" from B’Day, "I Care from 4", and "Jealous" from Self-Titled). As a long-time fan who especially loves when Bey is raw and honest, It was treat to witness all of those moments coalesce on Lemonade.

As a fan, everything about Lemonade initially felt like unfamiliar territory, being that Beyoncé is notoriously private. It was the first time Beyoncé directly addressed so many rumors at once. Similar to Self-titled, the release of Lemonade was a real experience back in 2016, and after having more than half a decade to marinate in the zeitgeist, it still is.

The release of Lemonade included a “gotcha” element that only Beyoncé can pull off: first you’re looped in by her directly addressing the infidelity in her marriage, but then as you continue to watch and listen, the project reveals itself as being much more than something punchy and gossip-blog worthy. Lemonade effortlessly morphs into being a work of art centered around pain, resilience, reconciliation, and breaking generational curses. Beyoncé took control of her narrative and told her story on her own terms, while also simultaneously articulating the reality of what it means to be a black woman in America. This intentional act of self-agency paired with the vulnerability and seamlessness of Lemonade is why it ranks number one on my list.

In relation to my personal timeline, Lemonade debuted two month’s before my 19th birthday, roughly four months prior to my father’s untimely passing, and 6 month's prior to the start of my first relationship, which ended up being a toxic, emotional rollercoaster. This album carried me through my personal grief, and helped me with navigating my difficult feelings and emotions. It brought me joy when I was at my saddest, and provided me catharsis when I needed to release the most. This album encouraged me to articulate what I really needed and wanted, and it still helps ground me. Despite debuting over six-years ago, I love it more and more with each rotation.

Top 4 Tracks

Pray You Catch Me

Love Drought

Hold Up

Freedom

Cheers to these six albums, to Renaissance, and to my forever Queen Bey. Thank you for everything, Beyoncé! ∞

What’s your favorite Beyoncé Album/song? How would you arrange your ranking? Leave a comment, let’s talk about it! Happy #B7 Week y’all!!