Beyoncé’s 2011 album named simply with a number was 4.
Released on June 24, 2011, 4 was Beyoncé’s fourth solo studio album and followed I Am... Sasha Fierce. The title referred to several personal and professional connections to the number, including Beyoncé’s birthday, her mother’s birthday, and her wedding anniversary. It also represented the album’s position in her solo discography.
The record explored R&B, pop, soul, funk, and adult-contemporary influences. Its singles included “Run the World (Girls),” “Best Thing I Never Had,” “Countdown,” and “Love on Top.” “Love on Top” became especially associated with Beyoncé after her performance of it at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
4 debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and made Beyoncé the first female artist to have her first four studio albums debut at the top of that chart. It is distinct from her later album Renaissance, which was released in 2022.