With whispers of a roaring Rock finale to Beyonce‘s colossal album trilogy reaching a fever pitch, anticipation around the megastar is hitting new heights.
And it is not just the “what” that has fans talking. It is the “when,” too.
The 44-year-old icon takes center stage tonight (May 4) as co-chair of the Met Gala 2026, and the BeyHive is abuzz with theories that the event could double as the launchpad for her ninth solo album era.
Full story below…
The three-act concept was first rumoured when the Houston native announced ‘Renaissance’ in 2022 via Instagram, explicitly framing the project as “Act I” of a three-project arc. That subtle but seismic detail set the tone for a carefully curated trilogy, one that has since seen her explore Dance and Country with cultural precision.
Now, all signs point to Rock.
Central to the voyage has been the diva’s desire to spotlight the pioneering and foundational role Black artists have had in genres that
Indeed, history makes clear that Rock and Roll was born from Black artistry long before it was mainstreamed.
Pioneers like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry laid the sonic groundwork, only for the genre to later be popularised by artists like Elvis Presley. In many ways, this potential Act III would mark yet another moment of reclamation, following her spotlight on House with ‘Renaissance’ and Country with ‘Cowboy Carter.’
Indeed, the latter project (which finally netted her the coveted GRAMMY for Album of the Year) has only amplified speculation. Tracks like ‘Ya Ya’ leaned into a gritty, guitar-laced soundscape, while the tour visuals were rich with nods to Rock royalty. Indeed, there were homages to Prince’s flamboyant stagecraft, Tina Turner’s ferocity, and Little Richard’s genre-defying swagger.
Suffice it to say, the speculation most definitely feels anchored in more than hyperbole.
With that, That Grape Juice has tallied up nine songs that capture the sonic spirit we would love to hear on Act III.
The Brief
Anthemic, hard-hitting production. Towering choruses. Gargantuan guitar riffs. All anchored by the unmistakable soul and vocal dynamism that defines her catalog.
Our Picks
En Vogue – Free Your Mind
The gold standard of R&B-Rock crossover. Pulsating, commanding, and all sorts of funky.
Prince – Purple Rain
It doesn’t get much bigger or more brief-defining than this eternal gem.
Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It
A masterclass in timelessness with a Rock edge that still resonates.
Meat Loaf – I Would Do Anything For Love
Random to some, essential for us. Big, theatrical, and driven by a seismic chorus that demands to be felt.
Seal – Kiss From A Rose
Layered, lyrically stirring, with dramatic flair.
Beyonce – Freakum Dress
Proof she already has Rock-adjacent fire in her arsenal. More of this energy, please.
N.E.R.D. – She Wants To Move
Big, bold, blazing. The perfect musical marriage between Funk and Rock.
Rihanna – Kiss It Better
Sultry, synthy, guitar-led, and effortless.
Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson – Scream
Explosive, urgent, and sonically daring.
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Honorable Mention
Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire
Raw, anthemic, and stadium-ready. Queen Bey has already covered this, but we’d lap up more.
Wishlist: Producers, Features, Contributors, Samples
Lenny Kravitz, Pharrell, Slash, Bruno Mars, Sheila E., Jeff Bhasker, Ryan Tedder, Andre 3000, Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala, Tracy Chapman, Jimi Hendrix, Brittany Howard.
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As of writing, there has been no official confirmation about Act III. But if the clues are anything to go by, the final chapter of this trilogy could be her boldest and most blazing yet. We’re ready for Bey to bring the heat!
Your thoughts?
Beyonce Act 3 Beyonce Act III Beyonce Rock Album Beyonce Met Gala
B9? I hope the hell not, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she named it that. She did get to where she is now by stealing everything from other artists, and passing them off as her own. RiRi, gurl, I think I know who was behind that crazy chick that shot up your house.
I swear, if Beyoncé was a mixtape, she’d be that one track that got 10 producers on it but still soundin’ like a cover band at the block party.
She got more writers than a college essay, and more dance copies than a bootleg DVD. But hey, she got that Beyhive buzz goin’ on, so we just gotta sip that tea and watch the show. Because at the end of the day, even if she borrowin’ all that sauce, she still got the crown — just don’t forget, sometimes the crown be borrowed too, ya dig? 😆
Beyoncé’s voice trying rock? Like a cat stuck in a blender.
Country? Please, she’s about as authentic as a plastic cactus.
R&B? Nah, more like R&“Bored” soulless and flat, like decaf coffee..
Until then, Beyoncé as a rock star as credible as a vegan at a Texas BBQ.
Overrated? Oh, honey, she’s the Temu of hype shiny, loud, but missing the real juice. 😆
oh god, I can’t wait until this woman goes away forever
Yes!! I couldn’t agree more. Take that racket with her. She will not be missed on the scene.
I hear ya, Beyoncé ain’t got no real artistic vision, no deep stories, and she don’t write her own bars.
She can’t even play no instruments. Without her whole squad and props grinding behind the scenes, she wouldn’t be nowhere near this big. To me, she just a shiny PR hustle, all flash and no soul.
Beyoncé’s voice doesn’t suit rock.
Or country. Or R&B. It is soulless.
Growls to emote à la Work It Out.
Both extremes of her voice grate.
Doesn’t live what she sings about.
Unless she’ll confess to swinging,
sniffing, and snitching for Lil Luci:
she won’t be credible as rock star!
Credible or not this creole, high-level, witch of a woman has a significant portion of the world under her spell. That County album was trash, and she won album of the year. Her fans will eat it up, and start headbanging and wearing goth gear as soon as she drops.
Doing some serious vooodooo indeed. Her albums are such complete trash. That Jolene co ver with ghettoass lyrics. Can’t wait until the house of cards falls
The beehive becoming Marilyn Manson minions? 🤣 The mental visual alone is better than her scrapped Renaissance film no studios wanted to buy oop. Why aren’t you and I under her spell? Is it because we stay prayed up or our ears actually work?
Can’t stomach this MF. She’s basically a glorified stripper who lucked into a background singer gig and somehow convinced the world she’s a queen. Watching her talk is like watching a 17-year-old from the hood try to sound deep—awkward, forced, and painfully fake. She’s the human equivalent of a participation trophy: all hype, zero substance. Honestly, Beyoncé’s career looks like a bad reality show where the main plot is “How to fake talent and act like you’re royalty,” and spoiler alert—she’s failing spectacularly.
Amen at glorified stripper.
Abusing toddler Blue, by gyrating in a leotard thong on stage on national TV, told me what kind of woman she is.
I HATE her “I’m the best” poses on stage. So manufactured. It’s like sit down – you’re a Virgo. You’re prolly having a heart attack not knowing if your pantyliner is showing.
No! Her mediocre voice doesn’t fit for Rock music! It will be another Lil Wayne’s Rebirth for sure. 🤣😂🤣 I hate to see all these Black artists keep ruining different genre’s music… Didn’t y’all Black folks destroy country music already? Messs
Don’t your people destroy stomachs and central nervous systems every day with your egg rolls, and msg laden rat meat?
Nenek tua sundal bolong OMG persisi kepala iblis main kontol hitam bangat kayak gagak aduh penasaran merinding seram wajah wanita puaka aku ketawa aja deh…
??????
Sorry but Rihanna & GaGa pulled that cyberpunk rock before… even Willow smith did that a few agos… stick with your generic R&B lane.
The lack of Jack White’s inclusion in the wish list of producers almost discredits this entire exercise!
I agree with everyone here so far. Her music is such trash and her voice is limited for 90s soul r&b. In the early 00s she had a prettier tone that allowed her to sound good over the r&b pop tracks of that time. Say my name and bills. But that’s really it for me. That era. Nothing more. Her concepts, tone, beats even just sound bad and bad on her voice. This will be no different.
Wow so much hate in these comments. I think Beyonce would smash this better than the country album.
I’m loving the song picks
Free your mind
What’s love got to do with it
Freakum dress is a hit!
She wants to move
Don’t hurt yourself
S** on fire
Omg an album like this would be out of this world. Go Bey!!!
Free your mind, but don’t lose your hubby!
What’s love got to do with it? Probably her Wi-Fi signal.
Freakum dress is a hit more like freakum mess, but hey, it’s Flakeyonce`!
She wants to move… but the Epstein couch is too comfy.
Don’t hurt yourself unless Diddy is laughing too hard!
S** on fire? Nah, just my microwave popcorn popping wild!
Ghost writers…get ready.
The Queen of Epstein Clan a is baaackkkk!
This beech be the most overrated diva out here, no cap. Like, she got a whole squad of ghostwriters scribblin’ her lyrics while she just sittin’ back sippin’ on that lemonade.
And don’t even get me started on the dance moves — girl be straight up stealin’ other people’s choreography like it’s a clearance sale at the mall. She out here actin’ like she invented the whole dance game, but nah, boo, you just borrowin’ moves like you borrowin’ your cousin’s hoodie — no shame, just swag.
To be a diva, a female singer must have a beautiful, technically-stupendous voice that can MOVE people to tears. When has a Bey song make our eyes well up?
Rock and Roll and Rock are two entirely different genres.
She just wants to cosplay comicbook X-Men’s storm: long white hair and skin-tight black leather while tryna be her idol, Tina. Maybe get GaGa to ride her Judahs Harley again for a Telephone Part II. It’ll be a melismatic version of Rock à la her Gladiator-themed Pepsi ad with P!nk and Britney. We’ll see if demon, Sasha Fierce, takes over her pre-school teacher aura. I’ll turn off my phone if she gives Déjà-Vu level of spastic performances. And judging by her Met Gala uninspired interview skills, expect 200 “co-” writers on the album.
this wishlist is garbage and so are the comments! anyway, can’t wait for ACT III