Beyoncé and Jay-Z's tumultuous relationship, the infamous elevator incident, Jay-Z's search for a business venture, the creation of Beyoncé's album 'Lemonade' exploring adultery and marital strife, and the impact of the album's success on Jay-Z's music streaming service, Tidal.
The release of Beyoncé's album 'Lemonade' sparked intense speculation about her marriage, leading to discussions about race and feminism.
Jay-Z's album '4:44' served as a mea culpa, showing his personal growth and redemption as he takes responsibility for his infidelity.
Deep dives
Beyoncé's Privacy Is Violated
In 2014, Beyoncé faces a public scandal when a video of her sister Solange attacking her husband Jay-Z in an elevator is leaked. Beyoncé, known for maintaining her privacy, is mortified that their private family matter has become public. The incident sparks widespread speculation about the cause of the altercation and the state of the couple's marriage.
Lemonade and the Exploration of Infidelity
Following the elevator incident, Beyoncé releases her album 'Lemonade' in 2016. The album delves into themes of infidelity and marital strife, with Beyoncé expressing her own emotions and experiences. The album receives critical acclaim and sparks intense speculation about the identity of the woman Jay-Z cheated with, referred to as 'Becky with the good hair'. The release of 'Lemonade' leads to further discussions about race and feminism, and solidifies Beyoncé's standing as an influential artist.
Jay-Z's Apology and Self-Reflection
In response to the revelations in 'Lemonade', Jay-Z releases his album '4:44' in 2017. The album serves as a mea culpa, with Jay-Z acknowledging his mistakes and expressing remorse for his infidelity. He reflects on his relationship with Beyoncé and their journey to rebuild their marriage. The album represents a turning point for Jay-Z, as he takes responsibility for his actions and seeks personal growth and redemption.
Reconciliation and Collaborative Success
Beyoncé and Jay-Z embark on the 'On the Run II' tour in 2018, solidifying their reconciliation and celebrating their renewed bond. The tour becomes a huge success, grossing over a quarter of a billion dollars. Additionally, they release a joint album, 'Everything Is Love', as the Carters. The album is well-received and showcases their artistic partnership and shared growth. Their journey demonstrates the power of forgiveness, introspection, and the strength of their commitment to each other.
Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Solange walk into an elevator. After that? Well, you've seen the video. The black-and-white footage inspires the tabloids to fire off an endless stream of colorful rumors. And the thing is, some of those rumors might be true. The Carters' marriage is on shaky ground. So they turn to music. It brought them together in the first place. Maybe now it can save their relationship.
This episode originally aired on June 16, 2020.
Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/eventherich.