When did Beyoncé release Lemonade?

Beyoncé released Lemonade on April 23, 2016.

The album arrived first as a surprise release on the streaming service Tidal, accompanied by a 65-minute film broadcast on HBO. Its rollout followed the surprise-release strategy Beyoncé had used for her self-titled 2013 album, but Lemonade added a highly integrated visual narrative.

Lemonade combines R&B, pop, rock, country, blues, and hip-hop influences. Its songs explore betrayal, anger, grief, reconciliation, and pride, while the film draws on poetry by Warsan Shire and imagery connected to Black women’s history and identity.

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2017 Grammy Awards, though it lost to Adele’s 25. Confusion sometimes arises over the date because the visual film and streaming album were released as part of the same event.