Beyoncé’s fourth studio album, released in 2011, is titled 4.
Columbia Records released 4 on June 24, 2011. Beyoncé chose the title because the number had personal and family significance: she was born on September 4, her mother’s birthday is January 4, and she married Jay-Z on April 4.
The album marked a shift toward a broader mixture of R&B, pop, soul, funk, and dance influences. Its singles included “Run the World (Girls),” “Best Thing I Never Had,” “Party,” and “Love on Top.” The latter became especially associated with Beyoncé’s powerful live vocal performances.
The title is easy to confuse with a track number or a release count, but 4 is the album’s official name. It followed I Am... Sasha Fierce and preceded Beyoncé, the surprise self-titled visual album released in 2013.