Beyoncé’s 2016 album inspired by Black Southern culture and family history is Lemonade.
Lemonade was released on April 23, 2016, through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. It is often described as a concept album because its songs and visuals form a connected work exploring identity, relationships, ancestry, race, and resilience.
The project was presented with the hour-long film Lemonade on HBO. Its music includes “Formation,” “Sorry,” “Hold Up,” and “Freedom,” featuring Kendrick Lamar. The album also drew on poems by Warsan Shire, whose writing appears in the accompanying film.
Lemonade received widespread critical acclaim and earned nine Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year. “Formation” became especially important in discussions of Black identity and cultural representation. The album is distinct from Renaissance, Beyoncé’s 2022 dance-oriented project, and The Gift, her 2019 album connected with The Lion King.