Today marks Beyoncé‘s birthday and the remastered release of her coming-of-age second album ‘B’DAY’.

‘B’DAY’, released in 2006, was Beyoncé’s first visual album, with short films that explored the making of a relationship in full. It was a conceptual project, exploring themes of finding one’s confidence, liberation, audacity and compatibility.

The album – featuring singles ‘Green Light’, ‘Get Me Bodied’ and ‘Upgrade U’ – was a loud, brash, brassy experience, augmented by Beyoncé’s insistence on live instrumentation.

“I wanted the album to be big, percussive, hard, up-tempo, and energized, and it was important to me that we used live instrumentation,” she recalls.

“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.”

In preparing for this milestone release, Beyoncé once again went back to the boards and worked on remastering songs. The videos, originally captured on 35mm are now remastered and re-coloured and finished in 4k, including ‘Déjà Vu’ featuring JAY-Z, and directed by Sophie Muller, also out today. 

When news of the ‘B’DAY (20^th Anniversary Edition)’ broke on July 4th, it was ushered in by the song ‘MORNING DEW (DONK)’.

Now, the icon has shared a celebratory offering of Spanish language songs that speak to her love and admiration for the culture and the artists who contributed and continue to build on the genre. ‘Cuerpo Tumbao (Get Me Bodied)’ featuring Maluma marks a first-time collaboration with the Colombian artist.

And on ‘Irreemplazable (Como La Flor)’ featuring Selena, Beyoncé honours fellow Houstonian, the late Selena, one of the most celebrated Mexican American entertainers, known as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” Since her passing in 1995, her estate rarely grants use of her music. This resounding approval for Beyoncé from Selena Quintanilla’s estate made it possible for this timely and meaningful duet. Two women from Texas. Two unmistakable voices that broke down and continues to break down barriers.

‘B’DAY 20th Anniversary Edition’ arrives with a deluxe vinyl, a 4LP edition pressed on 180G Bayou Blue Vinyl. It features ‘MORNING DEW (DONK)’, Spanish recordings, B-Sides, a new track with Pharrell, ‘Can I Watch You’, and arrives with a 60-page commemorative booklet and two collectible double-sided art prints.