Renaissance was the first act in Beyoncé’s planned three-part trilogy.
Released on July 29, 2022, Renaissance is Beyoncé’s seventh studio album and the first installment of a trilogy. Its music draws heavily on house, disco, funk, dance, and Black queer club traditions. Beyoncé described the project as a way to create a safe space during a period marked by isolation and social uncertainty.
The album’s lead single, “Break My Soul,” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her eighth solo chart-topper there. Renaissance received nine Grammy nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards and won four, including Best Dance/Electronic Music Album. Its follow-up, Cowboy Carter, was released in 2024 as the second act. The trilogy framing is why Renaissance is distinct from Beyoncé’s earlier albums, even though all are part of her solo discography.