Beyoncé’s 2016 album released without advance promotion was Lemonade.
Lemonade arrived as a surprise project accompanied by a film of the same name. Its release continued Beyoncé’s practice of using visual albums and tightly controlled announcements to create a unified musical and cinematic experience.
The album blends R&B, pop, rock, blues, soul, hip-hop, and country influences. It features guest appearances from artists including Jack White, Kendrick Lamar, James Blake, and The Weeknd. Its songs address themes of identity, family, betrayal, resilience, and Black womanhood.
Lemonade received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 59th Grammy Awards. Although it won Best Urban Contemporary Album, the Album of the Year award went to Adele’s 25, a result that became part of later Grammy discussion.