Beyoncé’s surprise fifth studio album wasn’t just about doing things her way; it was also a point in her illustrious career where she could completely be herself. Letting “honesty” be the glue for the project, the 32-year-old, who has been in the music game since the age of nine with Destiny’s Child, says she felt “stifled” most of her career.
“Now I’m in my 30s, and those children that grew up listening to me have grown up, and I always felt like it was my responsibility to be aware of kids and their parents and all these generations, and I felt like it stifled me. I felt like, in a sense, I could not express everything,” Beyoncé states in Part 5 of her “Self-Titled” documentary.
She adds: “I’ve done so many things in my life that, at this point, I feel like I’ve earned the right to be me and to express any and every side of myself.
A song that really depicted another side of Beyoncé was “Rockets,” which she co-wrote with Justin Timberlake and Miguel.
“I don’t think I would have done it back then, I don’t think I would have been confident enough,” She says about the Timbaland-produced record. “I would have been too afraid of what other people thought, but I kinda dropped that fourth wall and I did it.”
Check out more on what Beyoncé had to say below:
Do you ever feel like you’re not living up to your full potential? Beyonce certainly did before she released her self-titled album in 2013. In a recent interview, the superstar singer opened up about feeling ‘stifled’musically early on in her career.
Beyonce revealed that she felt pressure from the music industry to conform to certain expectations and create music that would sell well commercially. She felt like her creativity was being stifled and that she wasn’t able to fully express herself through her art.
It wasn’t until she took control of her own career and released ‘Beyonce’ with no prior promotion or marketing that she truly found authenticity and creative freedom. In this article, we’ll explore how the music industry’s influence affected Beyonce’s early career and how breaking free led to some of her most iconic work yet.
The Music Industry’s Influence on Beyonce’s Early Career
You were being held back in the music industry before ‘Beyonce’ because of their limiting expectations and narrow-mindedness. You felt like you were constantly trying to fit into a mold that didn’t quite suit you. Your creativity was stifled, and your unique sound was not given the recognition it deserved.
The music industry had certain expectations of what a female artist should look like, sound like, and act like. These expectations were narrow-minded and limiting in nature. They didn’t leave much room for experimentation or individuality. As a result, you felt as though your true potential was never fully realized.
It wasn’t until you took control of your own career with the release of ‘Beyonce’ that you were able to break free from these limitations. You were finally able to showcase your own unique sound and style without having to conform to anyone else’s standards.
This newfound freedom allowed you to reach new heights in your career, both creatively and commercially.
Breaking Free and Finding Authenticity with ‘Beyonce
Finally breaking free from the expectations of others and finding her own authentic sound, Beyonce created a game-changing album that spoke to millions.
With ‘Beyonce’, she was able to showcase her diverse musical abilities and break away from the stereotypical pop persona that had been forced upon her by the music industry.
Her vulnerability and honesty in this album not only resonated with fans but also paved the way for other artists to be unapologetically themselves.
‘Beyonce’ was a true representation of Beyonce’s artistry, as she was involved in every aspect of its creation. From writing and producing to directing music videos, she took control of her own narrative and showcased her creativity without any limitations.
This album also explored themes such as feminism, motherhood, love, and self-empowerment that were personal to Beyonce’s life experiences.
Through ‘Beyonce’, Beyonce proved that being musically stifled is not an option for artists who strive for authenticity. She broke free from societal norms and expectations placed on women in the music industry by creating an album that was raw, honest, and empowering.
It served as a reminder for all aspiring artists to stay true to themselves regardless of what others may expect or want them to be.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Beyonce’s early career was heavily influenced by the music industry’s expectations of what a successful artist should be. She felt stifled and limited in her creativity, until she took control and broke free with her self-titled album, ‘Beyonce’.
It’s inspiring to see how Beyonce overcame adversity and found her voice as an artist. Her journey serves as a reminder for all of us to stay true to ourselves and never let anyone else define our worth or potential.
As Beyonce herself said, “The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence.”And with that confidence, anything is possible.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.