Who released the album Lemonade?
Quick answer
Lemonade is the sixth studio album by Beyoncé, released on April 23, 2016, alongside an hour-long film on HBO. It’s a “visual album” that explores infidelity, healing and Black womanhood, with songs including “Formation” and “Hold Up.” It won the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Why it’s called Lemonade
The title comes from the saying “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” In the film, it’s tied to a speech by Beyoncé’s grandmother-in-law, Hattie White, at her 90th birthday, about turning hardship into something good.
The story it tells
The album moves through chapters with titles such as Intuition, Denial, Anger, Apathy, Emptiness, Accountability, Reformation, Forgiveness, Resurrection, Hope and Redemption. Poetry by Somali-British writer Warsan Shire links the songs.
Key songs
| Song | Notes |
|---|---|
| “Formation” | A celebration of Black Southern identity; won a Grammy for Best Music Video |
| “Hold Up” | Features Beyoncé smashing car windows with a baseball bat |
| “Sorry” | Became a viral catchphrase |
| “Freedom” (with Kendrick Lamar) | Won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance |
| “Daddy Lessons” | A country song, years before her country album Cowboy Carter |
Awards and influence
- Won 2 Grammys and a Peabody Award
- Lost Album of the Year to Adele’s 25; Adele said in her speech that Lemonade deserved it
- Ranked among the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone
Beyoncé’s studio albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Dangerously in Love |
| 2006 | B’Day |
| 2008 | I Am… Sasha Fierce |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2013 | Beyoncé |
| 2016 | Lemonade |
| 2022 | Renaissance |
| 2024 | Cowboy Carter, which won Album of the Year in 2025 |
Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy wins of any artist. For more best-selling albums by women, see Adele’s 21 and Taylor Swift’s 1989.
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