4: CD

Description:

Severing professional ties with father and manager Mathew Knowles, Beyonc eschewed the music of her previous releases in favor of an intimate, personal album. 4's lyrics emphasize monogamy, female empowerment and self-reflection, a result of Beyonc considering a maturer message to contend artistic credibility. In May 2011, Beyonc submitted seventy-two songs to Columbia Records for consideration, fourteen of which appeared on the record.