The eager anticipation for the pop star’s latest album is driving us nuts. Here’s what we know so far.
JAN. 10
The February 2013 GQ cover story announces that Beyonce’s album could come out as early as April. She says the album will be mostly R&B. “I always have my Prince and rock/soul influences,” says Beyonce. “There’s a bit of D’Angelo, some ‘60s doo-wop. And Aretha [Franklin] and Diana Ross.”
FEB. 11
The singer hints that the new album will be “a lot more sensual” and “empowering.” So, she’s still a fierce, independent woman — but she’s crazy in love and bootylicious?
MARCH 10
A fake track list for Bey’s new album surfaces online. Knowing what we know now, there’s probably no chance that “Ratchet” (feat. Lady Gaga & Azealia Banks) and “More Than Sex” (feat. Ne-Yo) are real songs, seeing that all the singles she has released were not on the list.
MARCH 17
Beyonce releases “Bow Down/I Been On” on her website. “I took some time to live my life, but don’t think I’m just his little wife,” she sings, adding, “Bow down, bitches” to her challengers.
MARCH 19
MediaTakeOut reports that Beyonce’s new album will come out in Fall 2013 now because the two songs that were released — “Nuclear” and “Bow Down” — were not doing so well. “No one thought that both records would fall flat. They were supposed to be her biggest songs off the album,” a source told the website.
MARCH 28
Rolling Stone reports the album is called “Mrs. Carter” (but later reports say the album is yet to be titled).
APRIL 3
Producer, The-Dream, says Bey has a “very sexual” track called “IV Play.” “She’s talking about her man, hopefully,” he says during “The Angie Martinez Show.” “She was talking that talk. That’s one of the best performances I’ve heard from her in that way.”
APRIL 4
The new single “Grown Woman” is released in a minute-long Pepsi ad. The video features Beyonce in a room full of mirrors, each reflecting one of her old looks.
APRIL 8
MTV reports in a story about Kelly Rowland that Beyonce will release an album within eight months.
APRIL 23
Don’t fret: BFF Gwyneth Paltrow says Beyonce’s album will be out soon. She told Digital Spy that she’s heard a “lot, lot, lot” of the songs, but she doesn’t know which ones will be left on the cutting room floor.
APRIL 23
Beyonce performs “Grown Woman” in Paris, but the unnamed album still has no release date.
APRIL 25
Beyonce debuts a 90-second clip of a new song “Standing on the Sun” for her H&M summer ad campaign.
MAY 1
A publicist tells Metro that Beyonce’s press conference in London, scheduled to promote her role in the animated film “Epic,” is canceled. Perhaps this means she’s finally finishing that album?
