Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade has been crowned the greatest album of the 21st century by Rolling Stone magazine. The prestigious publication’s comprehensive ranking of the top 250 albums from the past quarter-century places the revolutionary record at the summit, cementing Beyoncé’s status as one of music’s most influential artistes.
The announcement comes at a particularly poignant moment, as Beyoncé’s recent venture into country music with Cowboy Carter has garnered critical acclaim. The selection of Lemonade takes on added significance given its inclusion of “Daddy Lessons,” a country-influenced track that faced industry skepticism when Beyoncé performed it at the Country Music Awards with The Chicks. This early foray into country music now appears prescient, predating her full embrace of the genre by nearly eight years.
Lemonade, which features the iconic single “Formation,” originally sparked controversy for its bold artistic vision and genre-defying approach. Despite winning multiple awards, the album’s notorious snub at the 2017 Grammy Awards, where it lost Album of the Year to Adele’s 25, remains one of music’s most debated moments.
Late last year, Beyoncé was named Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century after the renowned music and entertainment magazine revealed its top pick following months of countdowns honouring the 25 most influential pop stars of the past 25 years.
The decision, according to Billboard, was based on Beyoncé’s “full 25 years of influence, evolution, and impact” as both a solo artiste and a key member of the legendary girl group, Destiny’s Child. Alongside bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé rose to prominence in the late 1990s, before embarking on a record-breaking solo career that has reshaped the music industry.
The Rolling Stone list showcases an eclectic mix of musical innovation across various genres. Radiohead’s experimental masterpiece Kid A (2000) secured the second position, while Frank Ocean’s influential Blonde (2016) rounded out the top three. OutKast’s Stankonia (2000) and Taylor Swift’s pandemic-era Folklore (2020) claimed the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.
Beyoncé’s dominance extends beyond the top spot, with two other albums making the list: her self-titled 2013 surprise release landing at number 16 and 2022’s dance-oriented Renaissance securing the 37th position. This remarkable achievement underscores her artistic versatility and sustained excellence throughout multiple eras of popular music.
Lemonade, many will agree, solidifies Beyoncé’s legacy as one of the most significant artistes of our time.
- Featured image/Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
