The promotional machine that is superstar Beyoncé is just getting underway. The blond bombshell has just been named one of GQ’s 100 sexiest women of the 21st century. She shows off her svelte post-baby body on the magazine’s February cover. But inside the pages, she reveals exciting details about her upcoming fifth studio album, saying she wants to bring R&B back.
The “Single Ladies” singer says she has already recorded about 50 songs for the project, which will arrive in stores in early April. Bey says fans can expect collaborations with some familiar producers and writers. “I’ve been working with Pharrell and Timbaland and Justin Timberlake and Dream,” said the hot mama. “We all started in the ’90s, when R&B was the most important genre, and we all kind of want that back: the feeling that music gave us.”
As for the album’s main influence, she says it’s mostly R&B. “I always have my Prince and rock/soul influences,” said Beyoncé. “There’s a bit of D’Angelo, some ’60s doo-wop. And Aretha and Diana Ross.”
In the meantime, until her new music hits iTunes, Beyoncé’s prepping for a halftime show at the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans. She’s going into this performance with her game face on. “One of the reasons I connect to the Super Bowl is that I approach my shows like an athlete,” she said. “You know how they sit down and watch whoever they’re going to play and study themselves? That’s how I treat this. I watch my performances, and I wish I could just enjoy them, but I see the light that was late… I try to perfect myself. I want to grow, and I’m always eager for new information.”
And for Destiny’s Child fans, Beyoncé has even bigger news today. She took to her personal website this morning to announce a brand new album from the ladies slated for a January 29 release. She wrote, “I am so proud to announce the first original Destiny’s Child music in eight years!” The album is called Love Songs and is available for pre-order on Amazon.
Are you excited to hear what Beyoncé’s and the ladies of DC are cooking up in the studio?