Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album inspired partly by Black women’s history is Lemonade.
Lemonade was released on April 23, 2016, alongside a one-hour film broadcast on HBO. The project combines songs, poetry, spoken narration, and visual chapters built around themes such as grief, betrayal, healing, ancestry, and empowerment.
The album draws on a wide range of musical styles, including R&B, rock, country, blues, reggae, and hip-hop. Its guest performers include Jack White, James Blake, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd.
Lemonade debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim. The visual work also incorporates poetry by Warsan Shire, whose writing helps connect the album’s personal themes with broader cultural memory.