On what date did Beyoncé release her self-titled surprise album Beyoncé in 2013?

Beyoncé released her self-titled surprise album Beyoncé on December 13, 2013.

The album appeared without the usual advance promotional campaign or traditional lead-single rollout. Beyoncé announced it through a short video posted on Instagram, and the record became available immediately through the iTunes Store.

Beyoncé was described as a visual album because every song was accompanied by a music video. Its tracks include “Pretty Hurts,” “Drunk in Love,” “Partition,” and “Flawless,” with guest appearances from artists including Jay-Z, Drake, Frank Ocean, and Blue Ivy.

The release changed expectations for how a major pop album could be marketed. It is sometimes confused with Lemonade, Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album, but the 2013 project was the one that established her surprise-release approach on a global scale.