The most awaited Beyonce’s solo album “Renaissance” sounds (a song counts to two dozen authors, including samples and tweens), Beyoncé’s singing beats any budget. Her vocal range approaches the galaxy; the imagination that fuels it is considered cinema. She coos, snarls, snarls, doubles, and triples: butter, mustard, foie gras, and the perfect ratio of frosting for the cupcake.
This is an album whose great idea is house. And his sense of home is enormous. It’s mansion music. “Rebirth” borders on what pop was: pulsating and throbbing.
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The album’s embrace of house and not, say, trap, clearly connects Beyoncé with black queer people. On the one hand, this means that he is simply an elite pop star with a particularly large number of supporters. But “Rebirth” is more than just fanservice. It is based on specific stories. The tricky symbiosis between cis women and gay men is one of them. The gates of imitation and homage rotate with centrifugal force.
Renaissance for Uncle Johnny
The 40-year-old, 28-time Grammy Award winner dedicated the recent release of her highly anticipated seventh solo studio album Renaissance to her late Uncle Johnny, whom she described as her “godmother” in a candid statement.
“Thank you to my Uncle Johnny,” he wrote on his website.” He was my godmother and the first person who introduced me to much of the music and culture that inspires this album. It’s a celebration for you,” added Beyoncé.
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His mother, Tina Knowles, also spoke about Johnny, who was her sister’s son “but more like a brother to me,” in an Instagram post, nodding to him on the song “Heated.”
Johnny was the closest person in the world to me, we were inseparable growing up! He later became my babysitter/housekeeper/designer/dance partner/[confidant] and best friend. I laughed with him constantly and trusted him unconditionally! When he died, a part of me went with him, he wrote in the caption.”Solange and Beyoncé adored him. He helped me raise her. And influenced her sense of style and uniqueness!
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He made Beyoncé’s prom dress and heard her say, “Uncle Johnny made my dress and I cried. You see, Johnny loved house music! And I introduced my kids to them from the start. He’s smiling down on Bey from heaven right now! Tina added.
Beyoncé previously honored Uncle Johnny as the “most fabulous gay man” she’s ever met in her acceptance speech when she and Jay-Z received the Vanguard Award at the 30th GLAAD Media Awards in 2019.” I want to dedicate this award to my Uncle Johnny, the most fabulous gay man I’ve ever met who helped raise my sister and me,” he said. “He lived his truth and he was brave and unapologetic at a time when this country didn’t accept him.
“And witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever had. I hope that their struggle has helped open paths to a freer life for other young people. LGBTQI rights are human rights,” added Beyoncé.
In a post, Beyoncé also credited her sons, 10 1/2-year-old Blue Ivy and 5-year-old twins Rumi and Sir, “for giving me the space, creativity, and inspiration” to do to Renaissance her “beautiful husband and muse” Jay-Z, 52, “who kept me in the studio through those nights.”
Beyonce’s Solo albums
Renaissance marks Beyoncé’s first solo album in six years. She previously released Dangerously in Love (2003), B’Day (2006, I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008), 4 (2011), Beyoncé (2013), and Lemonade (2016), following her tenure with Destiny’s Child.
Beyoncé also appeared on the 2018 collaborative album Everything Is Love with Jay-Z, as well as 2019’s The Lion King: The Gift, a soundtrack for Disney’s live-action adaptation that features original music by the artist. Additionally, she released Homecoming: The Live Album in 2019, recorded from her iconic Coachella performance the year before.
