“Break My Soul” marked Beyoncé’s first solo Billboard Hot 100 number one since 2008.
Beyoncé released “Break My Soul” on June 20, 2022, as the lead single from Renaissance. The song combines house and dance-pop elements with a prominent sample of Robin S.’s 1993 hit “Show Me Love” and vocal material associated with Big Freedia’s “Explode.” Its lyrics emphasize release, self-worth, and leaving exhausting work behind.
The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2022. Beyoncé’s previous solo number-one single had been “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” in 2008, although she also appeared on chart-topping collaborations during the intervening years. This distinction explains why “Break My Soul” is described as her first solo leader since 2008 rather than her first number one of any kind.