Which Beyoncé album began the three-part Renaissance trilogy?

Renaissance began Beyoncé’s three-part album trilogy.

Released on July 29, 2022, Renaissance is Beyoncé’s seventh studio album and the first act of a project later described as a trilogy. Its sound is rooted in dance music, house, disco, and funk, with many of those traditions connected to Black and queer club culture.

The album’s lead single, “Break My Soul,” became Beyoncé’s eighth solo number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. Renaissance also includes “Alien Superstar,” “Cuff It,” and “Virgo’s Groove.”

Beyoncé later identified Cowboy Carter as the second act. The trilogy structure is separate from the track-listing term “act,” which appears in the album’s title presentation and visual branding.