What was unusual about Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled album release?

Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled album was released without prior announcement.

Beyoncé appeared on the iTunes Store on December 13, 2013, with no conventional pre-release campaign. The surprise release included 14 songs and 17 accompanying music videos, making the visual album format a central part of the project rather than a later promotional addition.

The album followed Beyoncé’s fourth studio album, 4, and was created with collaborators including Jay-Z, Drake, Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake. Its songs include “Drunk in Love,” “Partition,” and “Flawless.”

The release strategy became highly influential in the music industry. It is often described as a “surprise album,” although the album was not completely unknown to all people involved in its production. The defining point is that Beyoncé and her team did not announce its public release in advance.