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I Am... Sasha Fierce

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I Am… Sasha Fierce is the third solo studio album by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, released on November 18, 2008 in the United States.[3][4]

Conception

Background

Knowles worked on the album for nearly a year, longer than she had spent on her previous solo albums and records with former group Destiny's Child. She revealed that she had co-written and co-produced over seventy songs.[5] In a statement released on Knowles' official website, she wrote:

I am in a different place right now and I wanted to 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.[6]

Knowles' father-manager, Mathew, explained the two-disc album, saying, "Beyoncé was adamant—and she has complete creative control—about dividing her songs. She felt she couldn't mix the songs together. She's in a much different space now than she was one year ago. She's married and in a really good place and this album reflects that."[7]

The song "Halo", written by Ryan Tedder, was originally offered to Leona Lewis, but was given to Knowles because Lewis did not have the time to record it.[8]

The song "Sweet Dreams" was initially called "Beautiful Nightmare", which surfaced onto the internet in January 2008. "Sweat Dreams" has a slightly different beat, compered to the original "Beautiful Nightmare".

Sasha Fierce

The album introduces Knowles' alter-ego Sasha Fierce. Knowles said that Sasha was "born" during the making of her 2003 hit single "Crazy in Love". However, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly magazine, Knowles noted the her alter-ego is "strictly for the stage". The magazine has described it as "the singer's sensual, aggressive alter ego".[9]

Knowles wears a "roboglove" in public to complement Sasha Fierce. It was Knowles' concept, and New York-based jeweler Lorraine Schwartz made the titanium glove. Its of several pieces, including a ring, a glove and a separate component that covers Knowles' upper arm. The glove first appeared in the video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". Knowles later wore it on the red carpet during the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards, on her performance at the Saturday Night Live show, and in the cover for Gotham magazine.[10]

Music

In a Billboard magazine interview, Knowles has described the two sides of the album: "... One side has songs that are more mainstream and another has my more traditional R&B songs for my fans who've been there the whole time. Some of it sounds like Barbra Streisand, Karen Carpenter and the Beatles around the 1970s."[11]

Promotion and release

Releases

The songs "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" were initially targeted to radio on October 7, 2008;[12] however, they were premiered on the following day on selected radio stations in the United States.[13][14] On the same day, a video was released by Knowles' record label Columbia, featuring footage 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.[15] A deluxe edition of the album, which contains bonus tracks, was released simultaneously with the standard version.[16] Mathew Knowles held a listening party for the album in New York on October 22, 2008.[17] Prior to the album's earliest release date, the entire album was premiered on November 11, 2008 on Knowles' MySpace account.[18]

To correspond with the double album release, Columbia Records produced a website for Sasha Fierce.[19] It asks to call and try to describe Sasha. It also states her "true identity" will be released at a later date.

Knowles will also release a Spanish version of the album in February 2009, along with a DVD of videos for each song on the album, much like her B'Day Anthology Video Album.[20]

Proposed world tour

In early October 2008, Billboard magazine announced that Knowles was allotting space in her schedule for a world tour in 2009. It was later confirmed by father and manager, Matthew Knowles, that she will conduct a 110-date tour beginning in April 2009. Knowles is planning to tour the Americas, Australia, Japan, Europe and Africa. She also will have a week-long stint in Las Vegas.[16][19]

Designer Thierry Mugler has been announced as the main costume designer for the tour after knowles fell in love with his work at a recent fashion exhibition, he will conduct a 58-piece wardrobe for Knowles and her dancers and band for the world tour. However, Knowles' own clothing lines House of Dereon and Dereon will also contribute to the wardrobe. It has also been announced that Muglers input will extend to a creative advisor role, as he will contribute to designing the whole show, from lighting to choreography and will even direct three of the many section of the production entitled Dangerously in Love, Ave Maria and a Spectacular Finale.[21][22]

Reception

Commercial performance

I Am… Sasha Fierce first appeared on Japan's International Album chart, where the album had its earliest release. The album debuted at number one on the chart, becoming Knowles' third consecutive number-one solo album in the country.[23] Overall in Japan, it charted at number three, which is her best peak position to date.

The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 482,000 copies in its first week, giving Knowles her third consecutive number one album.[24] In its second week, the album fell to number four, selling 257,000 copies.[25]

In the United Kingdom, it became Knowles' lowest charting effort, entering the official album charts at number 10 in its first week of sales before moving to number 21 in its second week, and reached number 23 in it's third. However, it should be noted that the album's first week sales in the UK for I Am.. Sasha Fierce has sold more than "B'Day"'s first week sales in 2006. "I Am...Sasha Fierce" sold 38,609 copies in its first week compared to 35,012 copies for "B'Day"Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Mariel Concepcion of Billboard magazine writes, "Beyoncé devoted half of the tracks on this double-disc set to her feisty alter ego Sasha Fierce ... But, it's the classic, more timeless R&B songs on the [I Am...] portion of the album that seem like a much-welcomed stretch for the singer."[26] Vibe magazine's Amy Linden ponders on the album's double-sided personality, favoring Knowles over her alter-ego: "Ironically, it's the more tame (and nameless) persona that’s the most intriguing, commanding and sexual. ... Beyonce sounds relaxed, confident and, if for no other reason than the fact that you can't hear her trying, hits the mark. Maybe someone should let her therapist and label know that letting Sasha shine too bright dims Beyoncé's light."[27] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine noted the slow songs in the album as having "thoroughly memorable tunes", although he dismissed its lyrics, claiming they are "full of bland self-affirmation and saggy lines". Hoard, instead, complimented Knowles' presentation of her alter ego, writing: "But the "Sasha" disc boasts Beyoncé's most adventurous music yet ... Another plus: The girl who blew up going all melismatic has never sung with more restraint than she does on Sasha."[28] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly magazine said the album offers "two compelling sides" of Knowles, describing the first disc as "romantic, vulnerable, soft" and the other as "aggressive, sexual, and, well, fierce". She adds, "The collection might have been better served had she edited it down to one disc, rather than belabor what ultimately seems like a marketing gimmick. And while fans will surely speculate, there's little in the lyrics that feels more revealing than previous emotional fire-starters such as 2006's 'Ring the Alarm'."[29]

Track listing

The standard track listing of the album contains eleven songs, six in the first disc and five in the second. The deluxe edition adds bonus tracks, containing eight tracks in each disc. Both iTunes versions of the album contain the exclusive bonus track "Save The Hero"; pre-orders also contain "Why Don't You Love Me" written by Knowles, sister Solange Knowles, and The Bama Boyz. The Deluxe Edition on iTunes also contains the videos for "If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". Also on iTunes Spain, the album came with a bonus track, "Si Yo Fuera Un Chico", the Spanish version of "If I Were A Boy". At Walmart, both digital versions, and at least some copies of both physical versions, will include MP3 recordings of "Déjà Vu", "Me, Myself and I", "Irreplaceable", and "At Last" made for the retailer's "Soundcheck" series.

Personnel

Chart history

Chart (2008) Peak
position 		Certification Sales
Argentina Albums Chart[30] 7
Australia ARIA Albums Chart[31] 8 Gold[31]
Austrian Albums Chart[32] 22
Belgium Albums Chart[32] 12
Canadian Albums Chart[33] 7
European Top 100 Albums[34] 11
French Albums Chart[35] 20
German Albums Chart[36] 17
Irish Albums Chart[37] 3
Italian Albums Chart[32] 22
Japan Oricon Albums Chart[38] 3 87,513[39]
New Zealand RIANZ Albums Chart[40] 16
Netherlands Albums Chart[32] 6
Norwegian Albums Chart[32] 25
Poland Albums Chart[41] 7 Gold[42]
Spain Albums Chart[43] 7
Swedish Albums Chart[44] 35
Swiss Albums Chart[45] 10
U.S. Billboard 200[24] 1 Gold 741,000[46]
UK Albums Chart[32] 10

Release history

Country Date
Japan November 12, 2008
Europe November 14, 2008
Australia November 15, 2008
Czech Republic November 17, 2008
Israel
New Zealand
Philippines
Poland
Singapore
United Kingdom
Brazil November 18, 2008
Canada
South Africa
Indonesia
United States
Netherlands[47] November 21, 2008
Mexico[48] December 2, 2008

References

  1. ^ Beyoncé on the set of the music video for "Diva"
  2. ^ http://music.hollyscoop.com/beyonce/beyonces-new-single-halo_1286.aspx
  3. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (2008-09-09). "New Beyonce Album Arriving In November". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  4. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (2008-10-08). "Beyonce Releases Two Tracks From I Am… , Inspired By Jay-Z And Etta James". MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  5. ^ Adler, Shawn (2008-10-02). "Beyonce Writes A Letter To Fans, Saying She Has 'Taken Risks' On Upcoming LP". MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  6. ^ "Beyonce Addresses Her Fans On Her Upcoming Release, Due In Stores November 18th". Beyoncé's Official Website. 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  7. ^ Crosley, Hillary (2008-10-23). "Beyonce Adopts 'Fierce' Alter-Ego". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  8. ^ "Leona's song goes to Beyoncé". Virgin Media. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  9. ^ Sullivan, Emmet (2008-11-18). "Beyoncé 'Still Can't Believe' Justin Was Her Backup Dancer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  10. ^ Gornstein, Leslie (2008-11-29). "Whose Idea Was Beyoncé's Shiny Robot Glove?". E!. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  11. ^ Crosley, Hillary (2008-11-18). "Beyoncé: Worker B". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  12. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2008-09-12). "Beyonce's New LP, Featuring Justin Timberlake, Due November 18". MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  13. ^ Tapper, Christina (2008-10-08). "Beyoncé's Double Debut". People. Time Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  14. ^ "Beyonce Premieres New Single "If I Were a Boy"". US Weekly. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  15. ^ "Beyonce Album "I Am" & Video Behind Scenes Single Ladies & If I Were a Boy". Columbia Records. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  16. ^ a b Cohen, Jonathan (2008-10-03). "Beyonce Eyeing 2009 Tour". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  17. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (2008-10-23). "Beyonce Album Preview: I Am ... Sasha Fierce Shines Light On B's Alter Ego". MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  18. ^ "Beyonce's Full Album On MySpace". The Source. 2008-11-11. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  19. ^ a b Willman, Chris (2008-10-15). "Split personality for new Beyoncé album". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  20. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (2008-10-23). "Beyonce Explains Herself — And Sasha Fierce — In Listening-Party Video". MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  21. ^ Thierry Mugler tour designer 1
  22. ^ Thierry Mugler tour designer 2
  23. ^ "Beyonce's #1 in Japan!". Market Watch. 2008-11-17. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  24. ^ a b Cohen, Jonathan (2008-11-26). "Beyonce Starts 'Fierce' Atop Album Chart". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  25. ^ Hasty, Katie (2008-12-03). "Kanye Edges GNR, Ludacris For No. 1 Debut". Bik. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
  26. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (2008). "I Am ... Sasha Fierce: Beyoncé". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  27. ^ Linden, Amy (2008-11-18). "Beyoncé: I Am...Sasha Fierce". Vibe. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  28. ^ Hoard, Christian (2008-11-17). "Beyonce: I Am...Sasha Fierce". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  29. ^ Greenblatt, Leah (2008-11-04). "I Am...Sasha Fierce (2008): Beyonce Knowles". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  30. ^ http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?CodOp=ESCS&CO=6
  31. ^ a b http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_album.asp?chart=1G50
  32. ^ a b c d e f "Beyoncé - I Am Sasha Fierce - Music Charts". αCharts. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  33. ^ http://www.showbizz.net/articles/20081126131930/palmares_beyonce_aux_etatsunis_nickelback_canada.html
  34. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=European+Top+100+Albums&pageNumber=Top+11-50&g=Albums
  35. ^ http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/titres-telechargement.php
  36. ^ http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Beyonce/?type=longplay
  37. ^ http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp
  38. ^ http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/
  39. ^ http://gimpo.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/musicnews/1228126048/239/
  40. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp
  41. ^ http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?lang=pl Poland Albums Chart (OLiS)
  42. ^ http://zpav.pl/plyty.asp?page=zlote&lang=en Poland Albums Certfication
  43. ^ http://www.promusicae.es/listassemanales/albumes/TOP%20100%20ALBUMES-%20Week%2047%20.pdf
  44. ^ http://www.sverigetopplistan.se
  45. ^ http://hitparade.ch/weekchart.asp?cat=a
  46. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3ia662814697fe501695c4fffbb4aec449
  47. ^ [1]
  48. ^ Mexican release of "I Am... Sasha Fierce"
Preceded by U.S. Billboard 200 number-one album
December 6, 2008 		Succeeded by
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