Landon Buford
Beyoncé released her fourth solo studio album, ‘4’, ten years ago. The number four was already dear to Beyonce’s heart. She was born on September 4, her husband Jay-Z’s birthday is December 4, and they married on April 4.
She decided to separate professionally from her father, Mathew Knowles, by releasing her fourth album was surely no coincidence. It was momentous for Beyonce personally and professionally as she decided to separate from her father, Mathew, who had managed her career from the start.
“I’ve only parted ways with my father on a business level,” Beyoncé said. “He is my father for life and I love my dad dearly. I am grateful for everything he has taught me … I grew up watching both he and my mother manage and own their own businesses. They were hardworking entrepreneurs and I will continue to follow in their footsteps.”
On Thursday night, some of the individuals who worked on the ‘4’ were on Clubhouse in Top story: 4: The 10th Anniversary Talk on Beyoncé’s Incredible Album hosted by Genius.
According to Tricky Stewart and Dj Swivel, the project took 36 hours to record, and Beyoncé didn’t sleep and recorded vocals.
She also recorded the vocals for ‘best thing I never had’ in about 45 mins, according to J Que.
The Dream was on stage because he worked on singles such as “Run the World (Girls),” and ” End of Time.” During the session, the panel went around the room and named their favorite single off the project. When it was time for The Dream to share, he named 1+1.
“Probably 1+1, said The Dream.
1+1″ was originally written and entitled “Nothing But Love” to Terius “The-Dream” Nash, who wanted to include him in his second studio album, Love vs. Money (2009). He then gave the album to Beyoncé Knowles for his fourth studio album, 4, according to Billboard.
According to Dream, Chaka Pilgrim knew the record existed because they worked closely on a day today. “1+1″ did not fit on Love vs. Money at all. It was just one of those sessions where a great song came out of it. I have these songs and I don’t know what to do with them and I forget that I do them. So, I was not thinking about the record at all, and at some point, I had to call Trick to get the file from. It was part of Chaka Pilgrim’s plan for Beyoncé to receive that record.”
The Dream also talked about the album ‘4’ as a whole.
“I think this was groundbreaking for several reasons, with coming off the heels of ‘Single Ladies,’ which was the album previous to this one. The idea was to make something unforgettable. So, it was not more about making a smash or lighting in a bottle record. It was just trying to make great, and we started with one album and made another one. The other one is just as great,” The Dream said.
“I don’t like to speak on records that she had done right before ‘4’ because it is equally something you should look forward to. I am sure that she will drop it at some point and time, but ‘4’ was just magical. I remember being in New York, sitting in the studio, and many beautiful people coming through. Providing the best environment and allow us to be free. So, when you think about songs like Love On Top, Countdown, Run the World (Girls).”
How did they come up with the concept for Countdown?
It was her. It was her being Beyoncé, and the great thing is I welcome, throwing B the things that people don’t try to write to. I like to write things that are hard to hear melodically and lyrically. So, with Beyoncé, it is always great to be in with her because we both think the same thing all the time.
