Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album inspired in part by the experiences of Black women in America was Lemonade.
Lemonade was released on April 23, 2016, initially as a surprise project through the streaming service Tidal. It combines music with a one-hour film featuring poetry, imagery, and performances. The album moves through themes including infidelity, grief, anger, reconciliation, identity, family, and resilience.
The project draws on the work of Black writers and artists, including Warsan Shire, whose poetry appears in the film. Its music spans R&B, soul, rock, country, blues, and hip-hop. Lemonade became Beyoncé’s sixth consecutive number-one album on the Billboard 200. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2017 Grammy Awards, while “Formation” won Best Music Video and Best Rap Performance. The album is often discussed alongside Beyoncé’s broader exploration of Black history and Southern cultural traditions.