As fan fiction goes, it appears it’s a case of the bigger the star, the more elaborate the story.
Just ask Beyonce.
The mega-seller found herself at the centre of a fake-tracklist storm last week, after well-executed line-sheet – supposedly featuring new songs from the re-release of her self-titled album – begun doing the rounds.
Featuring collaborations with the likes of Rihanna and Justin Timberlake, the image gained ample traction and was covered by a multitude of outlets – including many of the major variety.
We, however, held out for official confirmation, which materlized just a few days later and featured none of the alleged new numbers. Instead, two fresh cuts – ‘7/11’ and ‘Ring Off’ – were confirmed along with remixes featuring the likes of Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.
With the dust from the confusion settling, a rep from Bey’s team spoke with Billboard about the episode, as well as plans for the singer’s future releases.
Full story below…
Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, General Manager at Parkwood Entertainment (the singer’s self-created company), said of the fabricated tracklist:
“It’s completely made up. After all the hubbub this weekend, we kind of said, ‘Well, let’s just put it out and say what it is.’ It’s funny, I got a bunch of calls over the weekend and I would say, ‘It’s exciting to know people are excited.’ Even if they’re reporting it wrong, and that people would take their time to go and create a fake one-sheet — right down to using a Columbia logo on it. I would love to know who did it. They clearly knew what a line sheet used to look like – they don’t look like that anymore.
You could never have imagined their creativity. So seeing some of those [song] names, that was so fun and exciting.”
Speaking on the release strategy for the superstar’s future projects, Callahan-Longo strongly inferred that Team Bey won’t be looking to repeat the “surprise” tactic used in the roll-out of last year’s groundbreaking visual album. She said:
“You can only be first once, so I’m not sure we’d want to do it again. We typically at Parkwood like to look at projects where, if it isn’t unique or different in some way, it’s really not interesting to us.” {Source}
Interesting.
That said, from where we’re standing, the diversion from the surprise angle is much less a “because we want to” and more a “because we have to”.
Realistically, as epic and game-changing as the ‘Beyonce’ roll-out was, it created a problem in itself: how could it be topped?
Yes, it’s a great “problem” to have in that it’ll keep Bey and her team on their toes creatively and commercially, but it’s good to see they understand the need to move away from “shock and awe” as the default mode. Novelty only lasts so long.
Still, the rep’s comments have us amped, as it seems “innovation and elevation” are the motives moving forward – both of which provide exciting prospects in themselves.
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Aka: DAMAGE CONTROL! They tried to plan another surprise release and it failed. Naturally, these shock tactics only go so far for artists, especially for big names like Beyonce but it doesn’t last forever. The only thing I fear for Beyonce is that the surprise release of Beyonce was a once in a lifetime thing for her. Will she try to do it again? How or can she top that?
SHE WON’T BEYONCÉ IS DONE
Living up to ya name huh Catty fishhay… Yall said she was done on the 12th of December 2013,she has “4lopped” and she is scared to release blah blah blah… Look what happened on the 13th, yet you are still too dumb to get the message.
I agree it makes no sense to try for it again, especially with same album but a re-release. The album didn’t even produce hit singles aside from one! Mess. It worked well, now move on.
Yall said she was done after 4.
They never learn. Then she comes back swinging, over and over again. 11yrs into her solo s*** and she still got her foot on their necks. And it won’t stop, she in this for the long haul.
Who are these fools!! To say the most about one of the riches and success in this industry! RICH BEYONCE is not looking to PROVE herself! She’s having fun! You ppl that are soooo INTELLEGENT *Coughs* yall think yall know more than ppl who are making MILLIONS in this industry! BEYONCE is not just celebrating in this industry by THE INDUSTRY not delusional fans because of her name is cause she can make MONEY! They aren’t worried about Her next Project t!
CARRY ON
I’m referring to the ppl commenting above by the way ^^^^^^
These delusional regular ppl that are predicting that BILLIONAIRE can’t make MORE(keyword) MONEY$$$. Cause that’s what it’s about
She still has her job she’s FIRST I this industry and if u think other wise you r delusional!
She shuts down NETWORKS!
The power she has in this Industry is rare and the first of her kind
when did she become a billionaire?
Yes BEYONCE is will go down as an iconic moment in music history. No need to try and do it again. She took a huge risk, and it paid off. Kudos to her.
Surprise release = GIMMICK
what you call a gimmick was actually a huge risk. it could have backfired and blown up in her face. she pulled it off like no one else could and y’all will have to remain mad about it.
What’s the real gimmick is that her Parkwood rep said that you can only be “first once” when so many artists done surprise album releases before Beyonce. SMH
using Rihanna’s name as a promo #ahah
@soslutty
Girl CARRY ON!! Rhi can’t even use her OWN NAME to sell a Record lets just b REAL! That would b a BOOST FOR HER CAREER NOT BEYS! Just something interesting to add to beys catologue and IM SOOOOO GLAD ITS NOT TRUE!!!
aha that’s why everyone was excited about their possible duo. Rihanna is good for promo.
Who cares no ones gonna buy this tired album but her hardcore fans for only two new songs
But where is KERI FLOPSON’S ALBUM THO????????? If u stan for that masculine flop u should not allowed on this blog, i mean even ci-error can talk but not a fan of that DONE flop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@SURPRISE CAREFUL, SIS.. WE WOULDNT WANT CI TO STOP INSPIRING UR FAVE NOW WOULD WE 😆
You better say that!!! Beyonce = Queen of gimmicks. Queen of delusional stans who have to defend her “greatness” all day.
We should’ve gotten more music and the OTR Tour dvd for this rerelease…
Clearly NOW it can not be a surprise re-release duhhhhh! Secret is out of the bag!
It clearly wasn’t supposed to be a surprise. It makes no sense.
The fact that she was able to pull it off once was enough. I hope the next album is released in standard format and the deluxe edition is done in surprise format. Whatever the case may be, I’m here for my Queen Bee! ♡♡
U ARE THE FIRST MARIAH AND BEYONCE FAN I KNOW, MOST MARIAH FAN NORMALLY SEEM PRESSED WHEN IT COMES TO BEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t be fooled sweetheart by the ‘Lambs’ on this site. I can’t stand these pressed c**** AT ALL! These b****** just want MC dragged. Most of the Lambs I know actually want a Beyoncé and Mariah collab, so I don’t get these b******. I really like Dossom, Skyfall keeps it cute some of the time, John… is pressed overy anything that isn’t Mimi, Nippy, & Gaga (I don’t understand), & as for others… I don’t know them, so I can’t comment.
The new 50 shades of Grey clip is out featuring ‘Haunted’
Steal and perform. What beyonce is good at. What Beyoncé needs to do. What Beyoncé isn’t doing by think we give a fck about her opinion. Bye , bird head
DEPRESSED MUSIC AND SUCKING C**** IS WHAT LANA “BORE” REY IS GOOD AT THO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#FACTSONLY
LOL THE ONE TRICK THOT HAS RUN OUT OF TRICKS LOL
SADLY NONE OF HER GIMMICKS WILL GET HER SALES LIKE TAYLOR SWIFT LOL
Screaming! This is coming from a gaga fan! Im crying!
Ur fave can’t get sales like Taylor Swift…Manly Gaga can’t even pull Beyonce number lol. So sit!
Beyonce did what she did the first time around and she outsold all other pop girls. The only one they can cling to is Taylor and not even their faves. Jokes on them.
The album was incredibly overrated. After a few listens, I tossed it to the side never to be listened to again. I deleted the videos too. Beyonce is talent but her music could use a revamp.
Loved the album, her best to date. I will be downloading the extra stuff too.
lying ass
That’s to sad. I know that Rih collab would have been a definite hit. Oh well. Awaits r8
Mega-seller??? What mega-seller???
The only person who can claim that title is Taylor Swift!!!!