I Am… (Beyoncé Knowles album)

Infobox Album
Name = I Am…
Type = Studio
Artist = Beyoncé Knowles


Released = Start date|2008|11|18
Recorded = December 2007–present
Length =
Label = Columbia, Music World
Producer = Timbaland, The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Kanye West, Just Blaze, Freemasons, Beyoncé Knowles, Tricky Stewart, Stargate
Reviews =
Last album = "Beyoncé Karaoke Hits, Vol. I"
(2008)
This album = "I Am…"
(2008)
Next album =
Misc = Singles
Name = I Am…
Type = Studio
Single 1 = If I Were a Boy
Single 1 date = October 8, 2008
Single 2 = Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
Single 2 date = October 8, 2008

"I Am…" is the third solo studio album by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, scheduled for release on November 18, 2008.

Background

As reported by "Scratch" magazine, In an interview, American record producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins said that the style of the album keeps changing and is inspired by Knowles' upcoming film, "Cadillac Records", [cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpwDbsNuMtc |title=Rodney Jerkins at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party|date=2008-02-10|work=Rap-Up TV|accessdate=2008-02-15] in which Knowles has been cast to play American blues singer Etta James.

Knowles worked on the album for close to one year, longer than she had spent on her previous solo albums and records with former group Destiny's Child. She revealed that she has co-written and co-produced over 70 songs.cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596212/20081002/knowles_beyonce.jhtml|title=Beyonce Writes A Letter To Fans, Saying She Has 'Taken Risks' On Upcoming LP|last=Adler|first=Shawn|date=2008-10-02|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2008-10-09]

Release and promotion

"I Am…" will be released on November 18, 2008. [cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003847270|title=New Beyonce Album Arriving In November|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|date=2008-09-09|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-09-09] [cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596573/20081008/knowles_beyonce.jhtml|title=Beyonce Releases Two Tracks From "I Am…" , Inspired By Jay-Z And Etta James|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=2008-10-08|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2008-10-08] In early October of the same year, Knowles released a statement on her official website as a response to rumors about a delayed release of the album.

The songs "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" were initially targeted to radio on October 7, 2008; [cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1594626/20080911/knowles_beyonce.jhtml|title=Beyonce's New LP, Featuring Justin Timberlake, Due November 18|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=2008-09-12|publisher=MTV|accessdate=2008-10-09] however, they were premiered on the following day on selected radio stations in the United States. [cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20231737,00.html|title=Beyoncé's Double Debut|last=Tapper|first=Christina|date=2008-10-08|work=People|publisher=Time Inc|accessdate=2008-10-09] [cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/news/beyonce-premieres-new-song|title=Beyonce Premieres New Single "If I Were a Boy" |date=2008-10-08|work=US Weekly|accessdate=2008-10-09] On the same day, a video was released by Knowles' record label Columbia, feauring footages on the making of the music videos to "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", and the photo shoot for the two songs and the album. [cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI_mAueVTD4|title=Beyonce Album "I Am" & Video Behind Scenes Single Ladies & If I Were a Boy|date=2008-10-08|publisher=Columbia Records|accessdate=2008-10-09] A deluxe edition of the album has been confirmed.cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003869973|title=Beyonce Eyeing 2009 Tour|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|date=2008-10-03|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-10-09]

It has been announced that Knowles will start a world tour in the Spring of 2009 starting with international dates in Asia, Australia, Europe and, United Kingdom before closing the tour in late Summer with dates in North and South America.

Beyoncé about 'I Am...'

'I have worked on this album for close to one year. I have taken the time so I can create my sound. Something that says who I am at this stage in my life. I have poured my heart and soul into it. It is my baby. It is the most time I have spent on any project since my first records as a member of Destiny's Child when I was 15 years old. I have recorded over 70 songs and have created a sound that reveals all of me. I am in a different place right now and I wanted people to see the many sides of me. The music is upbeat for the dance, fun side and it is reflective, passionate and serious for the personal side. I have taken risks here. I am not afraid and my music will explain it all. There is no label or tag on my sound. It's me and I am so excited to share it with the world on November 18.'

Confirmed tracks

References