5 things to know about Beyonce's 'B'Day' anniversary album featuring Selena and more
Happy birthday Beyoncé!
As the Grammy Award winner celebrated another trip around the sun on Friday, she marked the milestone with the release of "B'Day (20th Anniversary Edition)," a 31-track reissue of her second studio album.
According to a press release, the album is a "voluminous remastered" version "B'Day," which was initially released on Sept. 4, 2006.
At the time, the singer said she wanted the album to be "big, hard, up-tempo, and energized."
In a press release she reflected on her second album and said, "Hip-hop was taking over at the time, but I was fighting to preserve the bridges, melodies, and harmonies that have always been at the heart of R&B. The goal was to blend those two worlds through the art of sampling. I loved the minimalism of a beautiful vocal arrangement over a simple drum loop or a classic guitar like 'Irreplaceable'…but only if that 808 was banging underneath."
Here are five things to know about Beyoncé's latest album release.
1. Beyoncé celebrates the Spanish language
Along with the remastered versions of songs from her "B'Day" album like "Deja Vu (feat. JAY-Z)," "Check On It (feat. Slim Thug)" and more, she includes several Spanish recordings like "Irreplaceable" and "Listen."
2. Selena Quintanilla and Celia Cruz are featured
For her Spanish recording of "Irreplaceable," titled "Irreemplazable (Como La Flor)," Beyoncé featured vocals from the late Selena Quintanilla. The press release for the new album said that Quintanilla's estate made it possible for the duet, which features Quintanilla's hit song, "Como La Flor."
In 2007, when Beyoncé released her Spanish EP. "Irreemplazable," she credited Quintanilla on her Spanish-language recordings.
Additionally, Beyoncé samples Celia Cruz's "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" in "Cuerpo Tumbao (Get Me Bodied) feat. Maluma."
3. Other artists featured
Along with Maluma, other artists that Beyoncé features in"B'Day (20th Anniversary Edition)"include Alejandro Fernández, Shakira, Voltio and Pharrell.
4. Beyoncé releases two new songs
Listeners of the new project noticed that the singer included two new tracks titled "Can I Watch You," which features Pharrell, and "My First Time." According to the press release, the latter was recorded for the singer's debut solo album, "Dangerously in Love."
The album also includes "Morning Dew (Donk)," which Beyoncé released on July 4.
5. How to own "B'Day (20th Anniversary Edition)"
"B'Day (20th Anniversary Edition)" is available in standard and deluxe volumes on vinyl and CD. It also has a deluxe digital offering.
