Beyoncé’s sixth studio album, released as a surprise in 2016, was titled Lemonade.
The project was released on April 23, 2016, alongside a one-hour film broadcast on HBO. It combines songs, poetry, and visual storytelling, creating a work that moves through themes of betrayal, grief, anger, reconciliation, identity, and empowerment.
Lemonade draws from rock, country, blues, soul, hip-hop, and electronic music. Its featured artists include Jack White, Kendrick Lamar, James Blake, and The Weeknd. The album also incorporates samples and historical musical references.
The project received widespread critical acclaim and won the Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Its release followed Beyoncé’s self-titled 2013 album, another surprise digital release, but Lemonade expanded the visual-album format with a more explicitly narrative film.