Which Beyoncé album was the first release in her planned three-act project?

Renaissance was the first release in Beyoncé's planned three-act project.

Released on July 29, 2022, Renaissance is Beyoncé's seventh studio album. It is also known as Act I: Renaissance, establishing the three-act structure that Beyoncé announced with the album's release. The record draws heavily on dance, house, disco, funk, and electronic music, reflecting the influence of Black and queer club culture.

The album's lead single, “Break My Soul,” became Beyoncé's eighth solo US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single. Renaissance debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album. The next album in the project was Cowboy Carter, released in 2024 and presented as Act II. The act numbering is separate from the album's track list and should not be confused with a conventional sequel title.