Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album released with the HBO film of the same name was Lemonade.
Lemonade was released on April 23, 2016, after its accompanying hour-long film premiered on HBO. The project combines music, poetry, spoken-word passages, and highly stylized imagery. Its songs move through themes commonly described as love, betrayal, anger, reconciliation, ancestry, and Black womanhood.
The album includes “Formation,” “Sorry,” “Hold Up,” “Freedom,” and “All Night.” It features guest appearances or contributions from artists including Jack White, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and James Blake. Lemonade debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
The work is often discussed in connection with public speculation about Beyoncé’s marriage, but its narrative is broader than a literal diary. Critics also highlighted its references to Southern landscapes, African American history, and writers such as Warsan Shire. Lemonade earned the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album in 2017.