Beyoncé attends TIDAL X: 1015 on October 15, 2016 in New York City.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIDAL
Beyoncé is an artist who implicitly understands the importance of making a statement. From her incomparable live performances to her chart-topping hits, the groundbreaking artist is always striving for perfection on a level that few other artists ever even graze – and that especially goes for her album covers.
When a new Beyoncé record hits stores, you best believe it’s going to stand out from the rest of the discs on the shelves, whether she’s delivered a simple but stunning portrait of herself to visually represent the album or plotted an elaborate piece of art that encompasses her new era. As her career has progressed, she’s continued to outdo herself; however, some of her earlier covers will always be tough to beat.
No matter what is on the front, though, Bey can pretty much always be counted on to dominate the charts whenever she releases a new album. She hasn’t had a studio LP not hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in her entire solo career, starting with her 2003 debut Dangerously in Love. She could probably just drop an album with a blank, all-black cover, featuring nothing but her name printed on it, completely out of the blue, and still top the ranking for three weeks straight – oh wait, she already did that in 2013 with her critically acclaimed self-titled fifth studio LP.
From her first albums post-Destiny’s Child to her later boundary-pushing works, Queen Bey’s discography is packed with iconic covers. Keep reading to see Billboard’s ranking of each one below.
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‘4’
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Of course, Beyoncé looks stunning on the front of 4 (it’s hard to find any picture where she doesn’t). It just doesn’t cut through the noise the way her other covers do, with the singer looking more like she’s modeling in a dated Coachella catalog shoot than visually embodying the artistry she displays on her fourth studio album.
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‘B’Day’
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo On the one hand, Bey’s updo, hoop earrings and pursed lips give her B’Day cover all the attitude the songs on the album command. On the other hand, the aesthetics of the artwork’s lettering and half-faded floral design haven’t proven particularly timeless.
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‘Beyoncé’
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Beyoncé’s self-titled album cover leaves little to critique, which is probably what she intended. For all its simplicity, the black and baby pink artwork made an indelible statement when the superstar surprise-dropped her fifth studio album in 2013, reminding the world that even standing alone, her name emanates power.
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‘Lemonade’
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Beyoncé’s Lemonade portrait looks like an intriguing movie still, its genius lying in the fact that viewers are left to wonder what emotion she’s conveying as she hides her expression behind her arm. Is she sad? Angry? Hurt? Or is she just taking a moment alone to regroup before she stands up again, taller and more fierce than ever before?
Upon pressing play, you realize the answer: all of the above.
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‘Dangerously In Love’
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo With her first album away from Destiny’s Child, Bey had just one initial chance to present herself as the enigmatic, perfectly polished solo pop star we now know her to be. Every piece of Dangerously In Love did just that — including its cover. From the glitz and glamor of her chained top to the dynamic nature of her expression, pose and wind-blown hair, this portrait made for a flawless first impression back in 2003.
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‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo There’s just something so raw and effortlessly timeless about Bey’s black-and-white I Am… Sasha Fierce cover, the singer posing with her hair pushed back and her fresh face bare of any noticeable makeup or pretenses. As she stares straight into your soul, she projects an image of confidence, control and charisma — everything that her Sasha Fierce alter ego embodies.
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‘Cowboy Carter’
Image Credit: Blair Caldwell The Cowboy Carter cover is a stunning, symbolic piece of modern art that wouldn’t feel out of place in a museum. Every detail invokes more questions than it answers — Why is she facing the opposite direction of motion? Is there a reason her hair matches the horse’s mane and tail? What do the flag and dirt road represent?
From the way Act II expands upon the Renaissance cover to its hints at Bey’s pivot to country, this one is truly unforgettable.
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‘Renaissance’
Image Credit: Carlijn Jacobs The Renaissance cover wins first place for its simple but striking premise — a nearly nude Beyoncé looking down on viewers from her regal spot atop a well-deserved high horse, lovingly named Reneigh by fans — as well as its role as the blueprint for the three-act album project. The existence of the Renaissance artwork elevates the impact of the Cowboy Carter cover and vice versa, making clear the connections between the respective acts while also highlighting their differences.
All in all, the Renaissance portrait does everything a fantastic album cover should, setting the tone and visual aesthetic for a singular musical era while making a bold, front-facing statement that inspires intrigue and draws in listeners. Excellent work, Bey. You too, Reneigh.