96 Fun Facts About Beyonce

Which 2003 album was Beyoncé's solo debut?

Dangerously in Love, released in June 2003, was Beyoncé's solo debut; it won Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2004 Grammys.

In what year did Beyoncé release her critically acclaimed visual album, 'Lemonade'?

'Lemonade' was released in April 2016, accompanied by a 65-minute film that premiered on HBO.

Which hit from Beyoncé's 2008 album I Am... Sasha Fierce is known for its black-and-white video of three dancers in leotards?

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) became one of Beyoncé's signature songs thanks to that video, though the album's other pillar was If I Were a Boy.

Beyoncé portrayed the character of Deena Jones in which musical drama film?

Beyoncé starred as Deena Jones, the lead singer of 'The Dreams,' in the 2006 film adaptation of the Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls'.

At the 2023 Grammys Beyoncé's career total rose to what number, a record for any artist?

At the 2023 Grammy Awards Beyoncé won four awards, bringing her total to 32 and surpassing Georg Solti for the most Grammy wins by any artist.

Which rapper is Beyoncé married to?

Beyoncé married Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z, in 2008. They frequently collaborate on music and tours.

In what city was Beyoncé born?

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where she began her musical journey.

Before launching her solo career, Beyoncé was the lead singer of which immensely popular girl group?

Beyoncé rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead vocalist of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child.

Beyoncé's 2022 album 'Renaissance' is rooted primarily in which genre?

'Renaissance' is a highly acclaimed album that heavily incorporates elements of house and dance music, paying homage to Black and queer pioneers of the genres.

Which song, featuring Jay-Z, was the lead single from Beyoncé's 2003 debut solo album?

'Crazy in Love', featuring Jay-Z, was the iconic lead single from 'Dangerously in Love', which topped charts worldwide.

Beyoncé voiced Nala in the 2019 photorealistic remake of which Disney classic?

Beyoncé voiced the adult Nala in Disney's photorealistic animated remake of 'The Lion King' and also curated and produced the tie-in album 'The Gift'.

What is the name of Beyoncé's eldest daughter?

Blue Ivy Carter, born 7 January 2012, is Beyoncé and Jay-Z's first child; Jay-Z marked her birth with the song 'Glory'.

What was notable about Beyoncé's 2018 'Beychella' performance at Coachella?

Beyoncé made history as the first Black woman to headline Coachella, delivering a performance that celebrated Black culture and HBCU marching bands.

Which of these is a fashion and athleisure brand founded by Beyoncé?

Ivy Park is an athleisure clothing line co-founded by Beyoncé, initially with Topshop and later relaunched with Adidas.

Beyoncé's 2011 album, which included hits like 'Run the World (Girls)' and 'Love On Top', is titled what?

The album '4' was released in 2011 and showcased a blend of R&B, pop, and funk, featuring popular tracks like 'Run the World (Girls)' and 'Love On Top'.

Which 2013 song dropped without announcement as part of her self-titled visual album?

'Drunk in Love' was one of the many tracks that debuted when Beyoncé surprise-released her self-titled visual album 'Beyoncé' in December 2013.

What was the name of Beyoncé's first fragrance, launched in 2010?

Heat, Beyoncé's first fragrance, launched in February 2010 with Coty; she followed it with Pulse in 2011 and Rise in 2014.

In what year did Beyoncé headline the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans?

Beyoncé headlined the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show in 2013, where she was joined on stage by Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child.

Which Beyoncé song is built on a sample of Major Lazer's 'Pon de Floor'?

'Run the World (Girls)', the lead single from 2011's '4', is built on a sample of Major Lazer's 2009 dancehall track 'Pon de Floor'.

Beyoncé's 2006 album, which included hits like 'Irreplaceable' and 'Déjà Vu', is titled what?

Released on her 25th birthday, 'B'Day' featured a more uptempo and R&B-focused sound, producing multiple successful singles.

Which Beyoncé album includes the song 'Formation'?

'Formation' served as the lead single for 'Lemonade', an album that explored themes of infidelity, empowerment, and Black womanhood.

What is the name of the entertainment and management company founded by Beyoncé?

Parkwood Entertainment was founded by Beyoncé in 2010. It serves as her management and production company for music, film, and fashion.

Which 2020 Beyoncé-directed visual album film was a companion to 'The Gift'?

'Black Is King' is a visual album and film that served as a celebratory companion to the 2019 album 'The Gift', inspired by 'The Lion King'.

What are the names of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's twins, a daughter and a son born in California in June 2017?

Rumi and Sir arrived by caesarean in California in June 2017, a daughter and a son five years after big sister Blue Ivy.

Beyoncé's surprise 2013 self-titled album was first sold exclusively through which digital store?

The self-titled album 'Beyoncé' dropped on 13 December 2013 without promotion and was sold exclusively on the iTunes Store for its first week, selling over 800,000 copies worldwide in three days.

Which Destiny's Child album features the hit song 'Say My Name'?

'Say My Name' appears on The Writing's on the Wall, Destiny's Child's 1999 second album; the song won two Grammys in 2001, including Best R&B Song.

In which 2009 thriller did Beyoncé play a wife whose husband is stalked by a temp?

In Obsessed (2009) Beyoncé played Sharon Charles, whose husband (Idris Elba) is stalked by a temp played by Ali Larter; the film opened at number one at the US box office.

Which 'Lemonade' track features Jack White of The White Stripes?

'Don't Hurt Yourself', the rock-leaning track on Lemonade (2016), features Jack White and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance in 2017.

Which singer-songwriter co-wrote Beyoncé's 10-week No. 1 'Irreplaceable'?

Ne-Yo co-wrote 'Irreplaceable', a power ballad from Beyoncé's 2006 album 'B'Day', which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 consecutive weeks.

How many music videos were included on Beyoncé's 2013 self-titled "visual album"?

The album has 14 audio tracks but 17 short films: one per track, extra videos for the two-part songs 'Haunted' and 'Partition', and a bonus video for 'Grown Woman'.

Which track from 'Renaissance' features a prominent sample of Robin S.'s 1993 hit 'Show Me Love'?

'BREAK MY SOUL' samples both Robin S.'s 'Show Me Love' and Big Freedia's 'Explode', making it a definitive house track from the album.

In which 2001 film did Beyoncé make her acting debut?

Beyoncé's acting debut was in the 2001 MTV film 'Carmen: A Hip Hopera', where she played the title role.

What was the title of Beyoncé's 2003 global hit with Sean Paul?

Baby Boy fused R&B with dancehall, which is why Jamaica's Sean Paul was the guest, on the debut solo album Dangerously in Love.

Which of these tracks is NOT from Beyoncé's 2022 album 'Renaissance'?

'7/11' is a track from the 2014 reissue of her self-titled album, while 'THIQUE', 'HEATED', and 'PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA' are all on 'Renaissance'.

The 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' video was inspired by a 1969 Ed Sullivan Show routine by which choreographer?

Bob Fosse's 'Mexican Breakfast', danced by Gwen Verdon and two other women on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969, inspired the choreography; the video won Video of the Year at the 2009 MTV VMAs.

Which song did Beyoncé perform at the 2010 Grammys, weaving in Alanis Morissette's 'You Oughta Know'?

'If I Were a Boy' was Beyoncé's 2010 Grammy performance, into which she worked a verse of Alanis Morissette's 'You Oughta Know'; she won six awards that night.

In which 2002 film did Beyoncé make her theatrical film debut, playing Foxxy Cleopatra?

Beyoncé starred as Foxxy Cleopatra alongside Mike Myers in the 2002 comedy 'Austin Powers in Goldmember', her first major box office film.

Which Beyoncé album includes the song 'XO'?

'XO' is one of the standout tracks from Beyoncé's 2013 self-titled visual album, known for its heartfelt lyrics and pop-rock influences.

Which of these singers is Beyoncé's younger sister?

Solange Knowles is Beyoncé's younger sister, also a successful singer, songwriter, and artist.

In which historical role did Beyoncé star in the 2008 film 'Cadillac Records'?

Beyoncé portrayed the legendary blues singer Etta James in the biographical musical drama 'Cadillac Records', earning critical praise for her performance.

Which 2004 album was Destiny's Child's final studio release?

Destiny Fulfilled, released in November 2004, was Destiny's Child's fourth and final studio album; the trio announced their split during its 2005 tour.

Which song Beyoncé performed in 'Dreamgirls' was nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar?

'Listen', sung by Beyoncé's character Deena, was one of three Dreamgirls songs nominated for Best Original Song at the 2007 Academy Awards; all lost to 'I Need to Wake Up'.

What is Beyoncé and Jay-Z's collaborative album, released as The Carters, called?

'Everything Is Love' is the debut studio album by The Carters (Beyoncé and Jay-Z), released in 2018.

Beyoncé's 2011 song 'Countdown' interpolates 'Uhh Ahh' by which R&B group?

'Countdown', from the 2011 album '4', interpolates Boyz II Men's 1991 song 'Uhh Ahh', which is why that group's writers share the songwriting credit.

What did Beyoncé sing at Barack Obama's second presidential inauguration in January 2013, a performance later dogged by lip-syncing claims?

The National Anthem was Beyoncé's inauguration piece; she later admitted singing along to a pre-recorded track and belted it live at a press conference to prove she could.

Beyoncé's 'Flawless' samples the TEDx talk 'We Should All Be Feminists' by which Nigerian writer?

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TEDxEuston speech We Should All Be Feminists is the voice in the middle of Flawless, a talk later published as a book.

What was the name of Beyoncé's 2013-14 world tour?

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour ran from April 2013 to March 2014, taking its name from Beyoncé's married surname, Carter.

At what age did Beyoncé win a school talent show singing John Lennon's "Imagine"?

Beyoncé was seven when she won the school talent show with John Lennon's 'Imagine', beating rivals aged fifteen and sixteen.

Beyoncé's childhood group Girl's Tyme lost on which TV talent show in 1993?

Girl's Tyme lost on Star Search in 1993 to the rock band Skeleton Crew; Beyoncé later blamed a poor song choice and sampled the clip on 2013's 'Flawless'.

The name Destiny's Child was drawn from a passage in which book of the Bible?

The name Destiny's Child came from a passage in the Book of Isaiah; the group had performed as Girl's Tyme, The Dolls and Destiny before settling on it in 1996.

Destiny's Child's first soundtrack placement came with which 1997 film?

Their song 'Killing Time' appeared on the 1997 Men in Black soundtrack, just before debut single 'No, No, No' and the self-titled 1998 album.

Which 2002 Jay-Z single marked his first collaboration with Beyoncé?

'03 Bonnie & Clyde, released in October 2002, cast Beyoncé as Jay-Z's girlfriend in its video and reached number four on the Hot 100; she later said they began dating when she was nineteen.

Beyoncé sang the US national anthem before which Super Bowl, played in her hometown?

Super Bowl XXXVIII, played in Houston on 1 February 2004, is better remembered for the halftime wardrobe malfunction involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake.

Beyoncé's 2003 duet 'The Closer I Get to You' paired her with which singer?

Luther Vandross recorded 'The Closer I Get to You', a cover of the Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway classic, with Beyoncé for his final studio album, Dance with My Father (2003).

In the 2006 Steve Martin comedy The Pink Panther, Beyoncé played a pop star named what?

Beyoncé's Xania is the girlfriend of the murdered football coach Yves Gluant; the film's theme song 'Check on It' topped the Hot 100 for five weeks.

Which singer joined Beyoncé on the 2007 single "Beautiful Liar"?

Shakira duetted with Beyoncé on 'Beautiful Liar', added to the 2007 deluxe reissue of B'Day; it peaked at number three on the Hot 100 and topped the UK chart.

On what date in 2008 did Beyoncé and Jay-Z marry in a private ceremony?

Jay-Z only confirmed the wedding in an interview months later. The couple's fourth-of-April date is echoed in their matching "IV" tattoos.

Beyoncé's mother Tina was born in which Texas city?

Born Celestine Ann Beyoncé, she was the youngest of seven siblings. Her maiden name is the source of her daughter's first name.

Beyoncé's ten nominations at the 2010 Grammys tied whose record for a woman in a single year?

Lauryn Hill had earned ten nominations in 1999; Beyoncé matched her in 2010 and won six, then a record for a woman in one night, including Song of the Year for 'Single Ladies'.

Beyoncé guested on which Lady Gaga single in 2010?

Telephone, from The Fame Monster, peaked at number three in the US, and its video is a sequel to Paparazzi that ends in a getaway.

In 2011 Beyoncé was the first solo woman in over 20 years to headline which festival?

Beyoncé headlined Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage on 26 June 2011, two days after her album 4 was released internationally.

Beyoncé revealed her first pregnancy at the 2011 MTV VMAs after performing which song?

After 'Love On Top' she unbuttoned her blazer and rubbed her belly, helping the broadcast draw a then-record 12.4 million viewers.

Where was Beyoncé's first child born in January 2012?

New York City is where Blue Ivy was born, on January 7, 2012; Beyoncé had learned she was pregnant during a Paris shoot for the cover of 4.

Beyoncé's 2013 documentary Life Is But a Dream premiered on which network?

She co-directed the film herself. It aired the same month as her Super Bowl XLVII halftime show.

Which character did Beyoncé voice in the 2013 animated film Epic?

Queen Tara rules the forest in the Blue Sky Studios film. Beyoncé also contributed the song "Rise Up" to its soundtrack.

Beyoncé and André 3000 covered Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" for which 2013 film?

The Great Gatsby (2013) soundtrack, executive produced by Jay-Z for Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of the Fitzgerald novel, included their 'Back to Black' cover.

The 2016 album Lemonade first streamed exclusively on which service?

Tidal, the service Jay-Z bought in 2015 with Beyoncé among its co-owners, streamed Lemonade exclusively from 23 April 2016; downloads followed a day later.

The spoken interludes in the Lemonade film adapt poetry by which writer?

Warsan Shire's poems are adapted in Lemonade's spoken interludes; the British-Somali poet had been London's first Young Poet Laureate in 2013.

Beyoncé performed "Daddy Lessons" at the 2016 CMA Awards with which group?

The Dixie Chicks, renamed The Chicks in 2020, joined Beyoncé for 'Daddy Lessons' at the November 2016 CMA Awards; the country-flavored Lemonade track drew backlash from some country fans.

Beyoncé's 2016 Formation World Tour opened at which stadium?

Marlins Park in Miami hosted the opening night on 27 April 2016; the tour closed six months later at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

What was the only single from the Carters' 2018 joint album?

'Apeshit' was the album's sole single; its video was shot inside the Louvre, which credited the clip with helping drive its record 10.2 million visitors in 2018.

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé was released in April 2019 on which streaming service?

Netflix released Homecoming on 17 April 2019, the same day a surprise live album dropped; the film went on to earn six Emmy nominations.

Beyoncé's first Oscar nomination came for "Be Alive", written for which 2021 film?

King Richard tells the story of Venus and Serena Williams's father; Beyoncé performed 'Be Alive' from a Compton tennis court during the 2022 ceremony.

Beyoncé's seventh solo Hot 100 No. 1 was a 2020 remix of a song by which rapper?

Megan Thee Stallion's 'Savage' remix with Beyoncé topped the Hot 100 in May 2020; proceeds went to Bread of Life Houston's COVID-19 relief efforts.

Which dance-era icon guests alongside Tems on the Renaissance track "Move"?

Grace Jones, the Jamaican-born singer and model, was 74 when she guested on 'Move' with Tems, a rare collaboration for an artist who had turned down many.

Renaissance closes by interpolating "I Feel Love" by which disco star?

Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love', the 1977 Giorgio Moroder production often cited as a blueprint for electronic dance music, is interpolated in the closing track 'Summer Renaissance'.

Fans nicknamed the mirrored disco-ball horse on the Renaissance cover what?

Fans dubbed the horse Reneigh; critics read the image as a nod to Bianca Jagger arriving on horseback at Studio 54 and to John Collier's painting Lady Godiva.

Beyoncé's reportedly $24 million private concert in January 2023 took place in which city?

Dubai's Atlantis The Royal resort hosted the show on 21 January 2023, her first full concert in more than four years; it drew criticism over the UAE's laws against homosexuality.

The 56-show Renaissance World Tour opened in May 2023 in which city?

Danske Bank economists even blamed the Stockholm opener for a bump in Swedish inflation as fans flooded hotels.

"Texas Hold 'Em" was surprise-released during the broadcast of which NFL championship game?

It dropped during Super Bowl LVIII on 11 February 2024, in a Verizon ad in which Beyoncé tried to 'break the internet', alongside '16 Carriages'.

"Texas Hold 'Em" made Beyoncé the first Black woman to top which Billboard chart?

Texas Hold 'Em topped Hot Country Songs in February 2024, a first for a Black woman; it also gave her a first Billboard Global 200 number one and her ninth on the Hot 100.

Who plays banjo and viola on "Texas Hold 'Em"?

Rhiannon Giddens, co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, plays banjo and viola on 'Texas Hold 'Em'; she has long championed the banjo's African roots.

Cowboy Carter is framed as a radio broadcast with DJs Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and who?

Martell was the first Black woman to find commercial success in country music and gets her own interlude, "The Linda Martell Show".

Cowboy Carter includes a reworked cover of which Dolly Parton song?

'Jolene' on Cowboy Carter rewrites Parton's plea as a warning; Parton had spent years publicly hoping Beyoncé would cover it and introduces the track in a spoken interlude.

"Blackbiird" on Cowboy Carter covers a 1968 song by which band?

'Blackbiird' covers the Beatles' 'Blackbird' using the original 1968 master's instrumental, with Black country singers Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts.

"II Most Wanted" from Cowboy Carter is a duet with which singer?

Miley Cyrus duets on 'II Most Wanted', which debuted at number six on the Hot 100 and won Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 2025 Grammys.

Cowboy Carter made Beyoncé the first Black artist to win which Grammy category?

Cowboy Carter won Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys, a first for a Black artist; the same night it took Album of the Year, the first for a Black woman since Lauryn Hill in 1999.

Scaptia beyonceae, named for Beyoncé in 2012, is what kind of insect?

Australian scientist Bryan Lessard chose the name because of the golden hairs on the insect's abdomen.

In 2004, 'bootylicious', popularised by a Destiny's Child single, was added to which reference work, defined as 'sexually attractive'?

The Oxford English Dictionary took in 'bootylicious' in 2004, three years after Destiny's Child's 2001 single, defining it as '(of a woman) sexually attractive'.

Cécred, the brand Beyoncé launched in February 2024, sells what kind of products?

Cécred is a hair care line that nods to Tina Knowles's Houston salon; its launch came with a BeyGood fund giving grants to cosmetology students and salon owners.

Beyoncé donated her entire $4 million Cadillac Records salary to which nonprofit?

Phoenix House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity, received her salary and in 2010 opened the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center, a hairdressing training program she founded.

Which Beyoncé song did Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign adopt as its official anthem?

'Freedom', the Lemonade track featuring Kendrick Lamar, played at Harris's rallies with Beyoncé's permission, and she spoke at a Houston campaign event in October 2024.

Beyoncé's vocal range is usually classified as what?

Beyoncé is generally classified as a mezzo-soprano; critics have praised her mix of belting, falsetto and rap-singing across a voice Jon Pareles called 'velvety yet tart'.

Destiny's Child's "Independent Women Part I" was the theme song for which 2000 film?

'Independent Women Part I' was written for Charlie's Angels (2000); it spent eleven weeks atop the Hot 100 and later opened the group's third album, Survivor.

"If I Were a Boy" was co-written and first recorded by which singer-songwriter?

BC Jean co-wrote 'If I Were a Boy' with Toby Gad and recorded it first, but her label passed; Beyoncé's version became a UK number one in 2008.

Who co-wrote and produced "Halo" with Evan Bogart?

Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic co-wrote and produced 'Halo' with Evan Bogart, drawing inspiration from Ray LaMontagne's 'Shelter'; the song reached number five on the Hot 100.