Which 2013 Beyoncé song was released as a surprise with no prior announcement?

“Bow Down / I Been On” was the 2013 Beyoncé song released as a surprise with no prior announcement. The two-part track appeared online in March 2013, ahead of the unexpected release of her self-titled visual album later that year.

The first section, “Bow Down,” features a boastful vocal refrain, while “I Been On” incorporates a chopped-and-screwed vocal style associated with Houston producer DJ Screw. That Houston connection made the release notable because Beyoncé's hometown is central to its sound and imagery.

The track is sometimes confused with “Formation,” another Beyoncé song known for a surprise digital release. “Formation” arrived in 2016 and became a major cultural and political statement. “Bow Down / I Been On” belongs to the earlier 2013 period and helped build anticipation around Beyoncé's fifth studio album.