Beyoncé has surprised fans by releasing a new single titled “Morning Dew (Donk)” on Saturday, marking her first new music since her March 2024 album Act II: Cowboy Carter, per cnn.com.
The track initiates a 60-day countdown to her birthday on September 4, which will coincide with a 20th anniversary reissue of her landmark second studio album, B’Day.
The single was co-written by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream and Darius Dixon, with production handled by Beyoncé and Williams. The track is confirmed for inclusion on the upcoming anniversary edition of B’Day, which was originally released on September 4, 2006.
The release has intensified fan speculation regarding the singer’s unannounced “Act III” project. Following the electronic and house influences of 2022’s Act I: Renaissance and the country themes of Act II: Cowboy Carter, listeners have widely predicted that the third instalment will focus on rock music.
“Morning Dew (Donk)” supports this theory through its opening lyrics, which reference Prince’s legendary 1984 musical film Purple Rain.
Beyoncé has previously dropped several visual hints pointing toward a rock-influenced era. These include dressing as funk-rock pioneer Betty Davis for Halloween 2024, featuring in a motorcycle-themed Levi’s campaign, and publishing a series of purple-themed photographs online.