Editing Beyoncé (section)

== Artistry ==
=== Voice and musical style ===
{{quote box
 |quote = With "Single Ladies", clearly I'd just gotten married, and people want to get married every day&nbsp;– then there was the whole [[Justin Timberlake]] thing [recreating the video] on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', and it was also the year YouTube blew up. With "Irreplaceable", the aggressive lyrics, the acoustic guitar, and the [[808 drums|808 drum machine]]&nbsp;– those things don't typically go together, and it sounded fresh. "Crazy in Love" was another one of those classic moments in pop culture that none of us expected. I asked Jay to get on the song the night before I had to turn my album in – thank God he did. It still never gets old, no matter how many times I sing it.|source= —Beyoncé<ref name="billboard q&a">{{cite magazine|title=Beyoncé Q&A: The Billboard Music Awards Millennium Artist Discusses Her Career And New Album|magazine=Billboard|first=Ray|last=Rogers|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471650/beyonce-qa-the-billboard-music-awards-millennium-artist-discusses-her-career| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471650/beyonce-qa-the-billboard-music-awards-millennium-artist-discusses-her-career| archive-date=October 27, 2021|date=May 11, 2011|access-date=May 10, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
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Critics have described Beyoncé's voice as being [[mezzo-soprano]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Arenofsky |first=Janice |date=2009 |title=Beyoncé Knowles: A Biography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXeEtRfW5bsC&pg=PA47 |series=Greenwood biographies |location=[[Arizona]] |publisher=[[ABC-Clio]] |page=47 |isbn=978-0-313-35914-9 |access-date=November 12, 2021 |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928055932/https://books.google.com/books?id=xXeEtRfW5bsC&pg=PA47 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=D. |first=Spence |date=May 17, 2012 |title=Beyonce: B'Day |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/05/beyonce-bday |url-status=live |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130825141403/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/05/beyonce-bday |archive-date=August 25, 2013 |access-date=October 16, 2021 |quote=See: fourth paragraph}}</ref> [[Jody Rosen]] highlights her [[Musical tone|tone]] and [[timbre]] as particularly distinctive, describing her voice as "one of the most compelling instruments in popular music".<ref name=rosen2014>{{cite news|last1=Rosen|first1=Jody|title=The Woman on Top of the World|url=https://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/beyonce-the-woman-on-top-of-the-world/?_php=true&_type=blogs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005155204/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/t-magazine/beyonce-the-woman-on-top-of-the-world.html?_php=true&_type=blogs|archive-date=October 5, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=June 20, 2014|magazine=[[T (magazine)|T]]|date=June 3, 2014}}</ref> Her vocal abilities mean she is identified as the centerpiece of Destiny's Child.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cardwell|first=Diane|title=Fame; In Sync|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/09/magazine/fame-in-sync.html|work=The New York Times|date=September 9, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426105048/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/09/magazine/fame-in-sync.html|archive-date=April 26, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Jon Pareles of ''[[The New York Times]]'' commented that her voice is "velvety yet tart, with an insistent flutter and reserves of soul [[Belting (music)|belting]]".<ref name="Pareles">{{cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|title=Empowerment, Allure and a Runway's Flair|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/01/arts/music/01dest.html|work=The New York Times|date=August 1, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227235347/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/01/arts/music/01dest.html|archive-date=February 27, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Rosen notes that the [[hip hop]] era highly influenced Beyoncé's unique rhythmic vocal style, but also finds her quite traditionalist in her use of balladry, [[gospel music|gospel]] and [[falsetto]].<ref name="rosen2014" />

Other critics praise her [[Vocal range|range]] and power, with Chris Richards of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' saying she was "capable of punctuating any beat with goose-bump-inducing whispers or full-bore diva-roars."<ref>{{cite news|title=Beyoncé's 'B'Day' Is Nothing to Celebrate|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/05/AR2006090501475.html|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=September 6, 2006|first=Chris|last=Richards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104070148/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/05/AR2006090501475.html|archive-date=November 4, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On the 2023 ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'s}} list of the 200 Greatest Singers of all time, Beyoncé ranked at number eight, with the publication noting that "in [her] voice lies the entire history of Black music".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 1, 2023 |title=The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/ |access-date=January 1, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=January 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101151200/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-singers-all-time-1234642307/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beyoncé's music is generally [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]],<ref name="AllMusic12">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/beyonc%C3%A9-mn0000761179| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/beyonc%C3%A9-mn0000761179| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Beyoncé, the Bio|first=Andy|last=Kellman|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=August 29, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/music-review-behold-beyonc-the-cybernetic-goddess-of-rb-8590792.html| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/music-review-behold-beyonc-the-cybernetic-goddess-of-rb-8590792.html| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Music review: Behold Beyoncé, the cybernetic goddess of R&B|first=Nick|last=Hasted|newspaper=The Independent|date=April 26, 2013|access-date=July 26, 2013|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Pop music|pop]]<ref name="AllMusic12" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|title=Pop review: Beyoncé, I Am&nbsp;... Sasha Fierce|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/14/beyonce-i-am-sasha-fierce| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/nov/14/beyonce-i-am-sasha-fierce| archive-date=October 27, 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=November 2, 2012|location=London|date=November 13, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]<ref name="JayZ&BeyonceTheKing&QueenofHipHop">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.goodtimes.com.pk/jay-z-beyonce-the-king-queen-of-hip-hop/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://www.goodtimes.com.pk/jay-z-beyonce-the-king-queen-of-hip-hop/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Jay Z & Beyoncé the King & Queen of Hip Hop|magazine=[[Good Times (magazine)|Good Times]]|last=Lone|first=Mahlia|date=June 30, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> but she also incorporates [[Soul music|soul]] and [[funk]] into her songs. ''4'' demonstrated Beyoncé's exploration of 1990s-style R&B, as well as further use of soul and hip hop than compared to previous releases.<ref name="billboard q&a" /> While she almost exclusively releases English songs, Beyoncé recorded several Spanish songs for ''[[Irreemplazable]]'' (re-recordings of songs from ''B'Day'' for a Spanish-language audience), and the re-release of ''B'Day''. To record these, Beyoncé was coached phonetically by American record producer Rudy Perez.<ref name="Vineyard1">{{cite news|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|title=Beyoncé: Behind The B'Day Videos 1|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407000656/http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index.jhtml|archive-date=April 7, 2007}}</ref>

=== Songwriting ===
Beyoncé has received co-writing credits for most of her songs.<ref name="Fallon">{{cite news|last=Fallon|first=Kevin|date=April 13, 2017|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/does-beyonce-write-her-own-music-and-does-it-really-matter| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.thedailybeast.com/does-beyonce-write-her-own-music-and-does-it-really-matter| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Does Beyoncé Write Her Own Music? And Does It Really Matter?|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=August 21, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Her early songs with Destiny's Child were personally driven and female-empowerment themed compositions like "Independent Women" and "Survivor", but after the start of her relationship with Jay-Z, she transitioned to more man-tending anthems such as "[[Cater 2 U]]".<ref name="Vineyard">{{cite news|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|title=Beyoncé Shoots Down Jay-Z Marriage Rumors in Vanity Fair Interview|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510890/beyonce-shoots-down-marriage-rumors-mag.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=October 4, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624083943/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510890/beyonce-shoots-down-marriage-rumors-mag.jhtml|archive-date=June 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beyoncé's songwriting process is also known for combining parts of different tracks, resulting in alteration of song structures. [[Sia]], who co-wrote "[[Pretty Hurts]]", called Beyoncé "very [[Victor Frankenstein|Frankenstein]] when she comes to songs";<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sias-reject-opus-songwriter-on-reclaiming-adele-rihannas-unwanted-hits-36006/6/ |title=Sia's Reject Opus: Songwriter on Reclaiming Adele, Rihanna's Unwanted Hits |first=Brittany |last=Spanos |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 3, 2015 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117200105/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sias-reject-opus-songwriter-on-reclaiming-adele-rihannas-unwanted-hits-36006/6/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Diana Gordon (singer)|Diana Gordon]], who co-wrote "[[Don't Hurt Yourself (Beyoncé song)|Don't Hurt Yourself]]" called her a "scientist of songs";<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/08/02/diana-gordon-interview/ |title=Diana Gordon interview: The 'Becky with the good hair' scribe opens up about new music |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |first=Jessica |last=Goodman |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117200058/https://ew.com/article/2016/08/02/diana-gordon-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Caroline Polachek]] who co-wrote "[[No Angel (Beyoncé song)|No Angel]]", called her a "genius writer and producer for this reason. She's so good at seeing connections."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a31944377/caroline-polachek-interview/ |title=It's Caroline Polacheck's Dream World; We Just Live in It |magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]] |first=Natalie |last=Maher |date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117023311/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a31944377/caroline-polachek-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2001, she became the first Black woman and second female lyricist to win the Pop Songwriter of the Year award at the [[American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers|ASCAP]] Pop Music Awards.<ref name="FOX">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,204978,00.html?sPage=fnc/entertainment/beyonce|title=Beyoncé Knowles' Biography|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|date=April 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307175108/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,204978,00.html?sPage=fnc%2Fentertainment%2Fbeyonce|archive-date=March 7, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref name="CBS">{{cite news|last=Neal|first=Rome|title=Beyoncé Tries For Timeless|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyonce-tries-for-timeless/|agency=CBS News|date=February 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030814230342/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/08/earlyshow/leisure/music/main562232.shtml|archive-date=August 14, 2003|url-status=live}}</ref> Beyoncé was the third woman to have writing credits on three number-one songs ("Irreplaceable", "[[Grillz]]" and "Check on It") in the same year, after [[Carole King]] in 1971 and Mariah Carey in 1991. She is tied with American lyricist [[Diane Warren]] at third with nine songwriting credits on number-one singles.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bronson|first=Fred|title=Chart Beat Chat|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56489/chart-beat-chat| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56489/chart-beat-chat| archive-date=October 27, 2021|magazine=Billboard|date=December 6, 2006|access-date=March 29, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The latter wrote her song "[[I Was Here (song)|I Was Here]]" for ''4'', which was motivated by the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Brian|last1=Hiatt|access-date=June 7, 2021|title=Diane Warren: Wild Stories Behind Hits for Beyoncé, Cher, Aerosmith and More|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/diane-warren-beyonce-cher-aerosmith-lady-gaga-1121141/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/diane-warren-beyonce-cher-aerosmith-lady-gaga-1121141/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|date=February 6, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In May 2011, ''Billboard'' magazine listed Beyoncé at number 17 on their list of the Top 20 Hot 100 Songwriters for having co-written eight singles that hit number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. She was one of only three women on that list, along with [[Alicia Keys]] and [[Taylor Swift]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Caulfield|first1=Keith|last2=Trust|first2=Gary|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/426946/top-20-hot-100-songwriters-2000-present| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.billboard.com/photos/426946/top-20-hot-100-songwriters-2000-present| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Top 20 Hot 100 Songwriters Performance|magazine=Billboard|date=May 23, 2011|access-date=September 13, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Beyoncé has received criticism, including from journalists and musicians, for the extensive writing credits on her songs.<ref name="Fallon"/> The controversy surrounding her songwriting credits began with interviews in which she attributed herself as the songwriter for songs in which she was a co-writer<ref name="Kritselis"/> or for which her contributions were marginal.<ref name="Fallon"/> In a cover story for ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' in 2005, she claimed to have "written" several number-one songs for Destiny's Child, contrary to the credits, which list her as a co-writer among others.<ref name="Kritselis">{{cite news|last=Kritselis|first=Alex|date=May 4, 2014|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-sunday-independent/20140504/282235188670231| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-sunday-independent/20140504/282235188670231| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Beyonce is great, but... she steals from other artists|newspaper=[[Sunday Independent (Ireland)|Sunday Independent]]|access-date=August 24, 2020|via=PressReader.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During a 2007 interview with [[Barbara Walters]], she claimed to have conceived the musical idea for the Destiny's Child song "Bootylicious",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theboombox.com/beyonce-bootylicious/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://theboombox.com/beyonce-bootylicious/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Beyonce Accused of Stealing Credit for 'Bootylicious'|website=[[The Boombox]]| date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=August 27, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which provoked the song's producer [[Rob Fusari]] to call her father and then-manager Mathew Knowles in protest over the claim. In 2010, Fusari told ''Billboard'': "[Knowles] explained to me, in a nice way, he said, 'People don't want to hear about Rob Fusari, producer from Livingston, N.J. No offense, but that's not what sells records. What sells records is people believing that the artist is everything.{{' "}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Marks|first=Craig|date=February 24, 2010|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959293/producer-rob-fusari-dishes-on-lady-gaga-beyonce| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/959293/producer-rob-fusari-dishes-on-lady-gaga-beyonce| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Producer Rob Fusari Dishes on Lady Gaga, Beyoncé|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 21, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, in an interview for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' in 2016, Fusari said Beyoncé "had the 'Bootylicious' concept in her head. That was totally her. She knew what she wanted to say. It was very urban pop angle that they were taking on the record."<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Inside the making of Destiny's Child's 'Bootylicious' 15 years later|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/05/20/destinys-child-bootylicious-15th-anniversary/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://ew.com/article/2016/05/20/destinys-child-bootylicious-15th-anniversary/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|access-date=August 24, 2020|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Influences ===
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}}
Beyoncé names [[Michael Jackson]] as her major musical influence.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Beyoncé, Top Stars Tip Their Hats to Michael Jackson|url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288067,00.html|magazine=People|date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630051828/http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20287787_20288067,00.html|archive-date=June 30, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 16, 2006 |title=Michael Jackson returns to stage |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6152976.stm |access-date=August 16, 2023 |agency=BBC News |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730222151/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6152976.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Aged five, Beyoncé attended her first ever concert where Jackson performed and she claims to have realized her purpose.<ref>{{cite news|title=One-on-one with the great Beyoncé transcript|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/transcripts/a/10444014/one-on-one-with-the-great-beyoncae-transcript/|access-date=June 7, 2014|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=October 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714113707/https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/transcripts/a/10444014/one-on-one-with-the-great-beyoncae-transcript/|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> When she presented him with a tribute award at the [[World Music Awards]] in 2006, Beyoncé said, "if it wasn't for Michael Jackson, I would never ever have performed."<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Jackson returns to stage|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6152976.stm| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6152976.stm| archive-date=October 27, 2021|access-date=June 7, 2014|publisher=BBC News|date=November 16, 2006}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Beyoncé was heavily influenced by [[Tina Turner]], and once said "Tina Turner is someone that I admire, because she made her strength feminine and sexy".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 25, 2023 |title=Beyoncé Pays Tribute to Her 'Beloved Queen' Tina Turner: 'I Love You Endlessly' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tina-turner-beyonce-tribute-1235340024/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816221529/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tina-turner-beyonce-tribute-1235340024/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

She admires [[Diana Ross]] as an "all-around entertainer",<ref name="Beyonce's Inspirations">{{cite magazine|last=Watson|first=Margeaux|title=Influences: Beyoncé|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/08/30/beyonce-what-influences-my-music/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 29, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107160746/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1449204,00.html|archive-date=January 7, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Whitney Houston]], who she said "inspired me to get up there and do what she did".<ref>{{cite news|first=Rebecca|last=Caldwell|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/destinys-child/article22400636/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/destinys-child/article22400636/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Destiny's Child|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]|date=July 21, 2001|access-date=May 9, 2018|page=R1}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |first=Yolanda |last=Sangweni |title=Beyonce: 'I Always Wanted To Be Just Like Whitney Houston' |url=http://www.essence.com/news/beyonce-on-whitney-houston-i-always-wanted-to-be-just-like-her/ |access-date=March 25, 2023 |magazine=Essence |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325180804/https://www.essence.com/news/beyonce-on-whitney-houston-i-always-wanted-to-be-just-like-her/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Beyoncé cited [[Madonna]] as an influence "not only for her musical style, but also for her business sense",<ref>{{cite book|title=Beyoncé Knowles: A Biography|first=Janice|last=Arenofsky|year=2009|page=80|isbn=978-0-313-35914-9|publisher=[[Greenwood Press]]}}</ref> saying that she wanted to "follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/beyonce-inspired-by-madonna-113122400708_1.html| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/beyonce-inspired-by-madonna-113122400708_1.html| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Beyonce inspired by Madonna|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|date=December 24, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She also credits [[Mariah Carey]]'s singing and her song "[[Vision of Love]]" as influencing her to begin practicing vocal runs as a child.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/best-r-and-b-albums-of-the-90s/mariah-carey| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/best-r-and-b-albums-of-the-90s/mariah-carey| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=The 50 Best R&B Albums of the '90s|magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|access-date=July 24, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="new yorker">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/04/03/060403crmu_music| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/04/03/060403crmu_music| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Mariah Carey's record-breaking career|last=Frere-Jones|first=Sasha|date=April 3, 2006|access-date=July 25, 2010|magazine=The New Yorker}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Her other musical influences include [[Rachelle Ferrell]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|first1=Margeaux|last1=Watson|title=Beyonce: What influences my music|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/08/30/beyonce-what-influences-my-music/|date=August 30, 2006|access-date=March 26, 2023|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326194113/https://ew.com/article/2006/08/30/beyonce-what-influences-my-music/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Aaliyah]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Farley |first=Christopher John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rwlBoSSahkYC&q=aaliyah%20beyonce&pg=PA141 |title=Aaliyah: More Than a Woman |date=January 26, 2002 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-7434-5566-4}}</ref> [[Janet Jackson]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2011 |title=Destiny's Child News |publisher=Yahoo! Music |url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/destinys-child/news/artist-name-destinys-child-id-1032152-inspired-by-artist-name-janet-jackson-id-1013012--12056577 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813023811/http://new.music.yahoo.com/destinys-child/news/artist-name-destinys-child-id-1032152-inspired-by-artist-name-janet-jackson-id-1013012--12056577 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2011 |access-date=September 21, 2024 }}</ref> [[Prince (musician)|Prince]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://giantmag.com/culture/music/giant-magazine-staff/exclusive-beyonce-talks-prince-i-was-so-scared/|title=Exclusive: Beyoncé Talks Prince: 'I Was So Scared!'|magazine=[[Giant (magazine)|Giant]]|date=June 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616104428/http://giantmag.com/culture/music/giant-magazine-staff/exclusive-beyonce-talks-prince-i-was-so-scared/|archive-date=June 16, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lauryn Hill]],<ref name="Beyonce's Inspirations" /> [[Sade (singer)|Sade Adu]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Bickel|first=Britt|url=http://1037litefm.radio.com/2012/04/06/beyonc-shares-personal-family-photos-thanks-sade-on-new-website/|title=Beyoncé Shares Personal Family Photos, Thanks Sade On New Website|publisher=[[CBS Radio]]|date=April 6, 2012|access-date=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413151056/http://1037litefm.radio.com/2012/04/06/beyonc-shares-personal-family-photos-thanks-sade-on-new-website/|archive-date=April 13, 2012}}</ref> [[Donna Summer]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Bain|first=Becky|title=Beyoncé Pays Tribute To Donna Summer: "She Was An Honest And Gifted Singer"|url=http://idolator.com/6487442/beyonce-pays-tribute-to-donna-summer| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://idolator.com/6487442/beyonce-pays-tribute-to-donna-summer| archive-date=October 27, 2021|access-date=July 15, 2013|publisher=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|date=May 18, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Fairuz]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyoncé Listens to Arabic Music | date=October 18, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jG4K3F44xc |access-date=February 24, 2024 |via=YouTube |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224031644/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jG4K3F44xc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 2023 |title=Beyonce pays tribute to the Middle East with Arab designers, musical choices at Dubai show |url=https://arab.news/bfx5b |access-date=February 24, 2024 |newspaper=Arab News}}</ref> [[Mary J. Blige]],<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Cristina|last1=Gibson|first2=Ashley|last2=Fultz|name-list-style=amp|url=http://au.eonline.com/uberblog/hwood_party_girl/b220436_which_famous_friends_b-day_did_jay-z.html|title=Which Famous Friend's B-Day Did Jay-Z and Beyoncé Celebrate?|publisher=[[E!]]|date=January 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805073410/http://www.eonline.com/news/hwood_party_girl/which_famous_friends_b-day_did_jay-z/220436|archive-date=August 5, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Selena]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Lena|last=Hansen|title=Beyoncé Recalls The Time She Met Selena Quintanilla And The Impact Of The Queen of Tex-Mex|url=https://peopleenespanol.com/chica/beyonce-met-idol-selena-quintanilla-the-series-netflix/|access-date=August 16, 2023|magazine=[[People en Español]]|date=May 6, 2021|archive-date=August 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816221534/https://peopleenespanol.com/chica/beyonce-met-idol-selena-quintanilla-the-series-netflix/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Anita Baker]], and [[Toni Braxton]].<ref name="Beyonce's Inspirations" />

The feminism and female empowerment themes on Beyoncé's second solo album ''B'Day'' were inspired by her role in ''Dreamgirls''<ref>{{cite news|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|title=Beyoncé Asks Women To Battle Over Her For Backing-Band Roles|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534575/20060619/knowles_beyonce.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=July 19, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623191046/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534575/beyonce-wants-women-battle-over-her.jhtml|archive-date=June 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and by singer [[Josephine Baker]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/SummerConcert/story?id=2404367&page=1|title=Beyoncé Hits Milestone|agency=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=September 7, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218205021/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/SummerConcert/story?id=2404367&page=1|archive-date=February 18, 2007}}</ref> Beyoncé paid homage to Baker by performing "Déjà Vu" at the 2006 Fashion Rocks concert wearing Baker's trademark mini-hula skirt embellished with fake bananas.<ref>{{cite news|first=Farrah|last=Weinstein|title=Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Christina Put The Rock in Fashion Rocks Concert|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540510/beyonce-jayz-christina-rock-fashion-rocks-concert.jhtml?headlines=true|publisher=MTV News|date=September 8, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623191004/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1540510/beyonce-jayz-christina-rock-fashion-rocks-concert.jhtml?headlines=true|archive-date=June 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Beyoncé's third solo album, ''I Am... Sasha Fierce'', was inspired by Jay-Z and especially by Etta James, whose "boldness" inspired Beyoncé to explore other musical genres and styles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596573/beyonce-releases-two-tracks-from-i.jhtml|title=Beyoncé Releases Two Tracks From 'I Am&nbsp;... ', Inspired By Jay-Z And Etta James|first=Jennifer|last=Vineyard|date=October 9, 2008|publisher=MTV News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025174726/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596573/beyonce-releases-two-tracks-from-i.jhtml|archive-date=October 25, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her fourth solo album, ''4'', was inspired by Fela Kuti, [[Contemporary R&B#1990s|1990s R&B]], [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], [[DeBarge]], [[Lionel Richie]], [[Teena Marie]], [[The Jackson 5]], [[New Edition]], [[Adele]], [[Florence and the Machine]], and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]].<ref name="billboard q&a" />

Beyoncé has stated that she is personally inspired by [[Michelle Obama]] (the [[First Lady of the United States|44th First Lady]] of the United States), saying "she proves you can do it all",<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/02/25/beyonce-inspired-by-michelle-obama/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/02/25/beyonce-inspired-by-michelle-obama/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Beyoncé Inspired by Michelle Obama|magazine=Rap-Up|date=February 25, 2011|access-date=June 12, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and has described [[Oprah Winfrey]] as "the definition of inspiration and a strong woman".<ref name="Beyonce's Inspirations" /> She has also discussed how Jay-Z is a continuing inspiration to her, both with what she describes as his lyrical genius and in the obstacles he has overcome in his life.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2011/07/beyonce-2011-cover-story-gallery| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://www.complex.com/music/2011/07/beyonce-2011-cover-story-gallery| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Beyoncé: Mighty Fly (2011 Cover Story & Gallery)|first=Gabriel|last=Alvarez|magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=August 1, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Beyoncé has expressed admiration for the artist [[Jean-Michel Basquiat]], posting in a letter "what I find in the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, I search for in every day in music&nbsp;... he is lyrical and raw".<ref>{{cite web|title=Basquiat|url=http://www.beyonce.com/news/basquiat|publisher=beyonce.com|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605063759/http://www.beyonce.com/news/basquiat|archive-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Chrissy|last=Mahlmeister|title=Beyoncé Wears Custom Jean-Michel Basquiat-Inspired Minx Nails|url=http://style.mtv.com/2013/01/14/beyonce-jean-michel-basquiat-nails/| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://style.mtv.com/2013/01/14/beyonce-jean-michel-basquiat-nails/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|publisher=[[MTV]] Style|access-date=June 7, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Beyoncé has also cited [[Cher]] as a fashion inspiration.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|title=Cher, Diana Ross inspire Beyoncé's fashions|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/cher-diana-ross-inspire-beyonce-s-fashions-wbna27326595|date=October 22, 2008|access-date=August 23, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227060138/https://www.today.com/popculture/cher-diana-ross-inspire-beyonce-s-fashions-wbna27326595|archive-date=February 27, 2019}}</ref>

=== Videography and stage ===
[[File:Beyonce MTV EMA 2009.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Beyoncé performing at the [[2009 MTV Europe Music Awards]]]]

In 2006, Beyoncé introduced her all-female tour band [[Suga Mama (band)|Suga Mama]] (also the name of a song on ''B'Day'') which includes bassists, drummers, guitarists, horn players, keyboardists and percussionists.<ref>{{cite news|title=For The Record: Quick News On Beyoncé, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Taylor Hicks, JC Chasez, Beth Orton, Slayer & More|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1533901/beyonce-seeks-allgirl-band.jhtml| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1533901/beyonce-seeks-allgirl-band.jhtml| archive-date=October 27, 2021|publisher=MTV News|date=June 8, 2006|access-date=March 12, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Her background singers, The Mamas, consist of [[Suga Mama (band)|Montina Cooper-Donnell]], [[Suga Mama (band)|Crystal Collins]] and [[Tiffany Monique|Tiffany Moniqué Riddick]]. They made their debut appearance at the 2006 BET Awards, re-appeared in the music videos for "Irreplaceable" and "Green Light", and have since supported Beyoncé in may of her subsequent live performances.<ref name="Vineyard1" />

Beyoncé has received praise for her stage presence and voice during live performances. According to Barbara Ellen of ''The Guardian,'' Beyoncé is the "most in-charge{{nbsp}}[...] female artist [she's] seen onstage".<ref>{{cite news|last=Ellen|first=Barbara|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/24/beyonce|title=She's a woman of two-halves|newspaper=The Guardian|date=May 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528123108/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/may/24/beyonce|archive-date=May 28, 2009|location=London|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, Alice Jones of ''[[The Independent]]'' wrote she "takes her role as entertainer so seriously she's almost too good".<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Alice|title=Beyoncé, 02 Arena, London: Diva who answers the call of booty|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/beyonc-02-arena-london-1691069.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=May 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528232659/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/beyonc-02-arena-london-1691069.html|archive-date=May 28, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The ex-President of [[Def Jam]] [[L.A. Reid]] has described Beyoncé as the greatest entertainer alive.<ref>{{cite web|title=Music exec: 'Beyoncé is greatest entertainer alive'|url=http://www.today.com/video/today/50692653| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://www.today.com/video/today/50692653| archive-date=October 27, 2021|publisher=MSN|access-date=August 31, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Jim Farber of the ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'' and Stephanie Classen of ''[[The StarPhoenix]]'' both praised her strong voice and her stage presence.<ref>{{cite news|last=Farber|first=Jim|title=Beyoncé shows 'Fierce' and softer sides in tour kickoff at the Garden|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-06-22/entertainment/17925311_1_fierce-character-tour|newspaper=[[New York Daily News]]|date=June 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311022417/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-06-22/entertainment/17925311_1_fierce-character-tour|archive-date=March 11, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thestarphoenix.com/Entertainment/REVIEW+Beyonce+ordinary+performer/1438494/story.html|title=Beyoncé no ordinary performer|date=March 28, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2009|last=Classen|first=Stephanie|newspaper=[[The StarPhoenix]]}} {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> 

Beyoncé has worked with numerous directors for her music videos throughout her career, including [[Melina Matsoukas]], [[Jonas Åkerlund]], and [[Jake Nava]]. [[Bill Condon]], director of ''[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', stated that the ''Lemonade'' visuals in particular served as inspiration for his film, commenting, "You look at Beyoncé's brilliant movie ''Lemonade'', this genre is taking on so many different forms&nbsp;... I do think that this very old-school break-out-into-song traditional musical is something that people understand again and really want."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/beauty-and-the-beast-la-la-land-musical/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/https://screenrant.com/beauty-and-the-beast-la-la-land-musical/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=How La La Land Helped Live-Action Beauty and the Beast Remake| website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=March 18, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Alter ego ===
Described as being "sexy, seductive and provocative" when performing on stage, Beyoncé has said that she originally created the [[alter ego]] "Sasha Fierce" to keep that stage persona separate from who she really is. She described Sasha Fierce as being "too aggressive, too strong, too sassy [and] too sexy", stating, "I'm not like her in real life at all."<ref name="Depression">{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Caitlin A.|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyonce-on-love-depression-and-reality/|title=Beyoncé On Love, Depression, and Reality|work=[[CBS News]]|date=December 13, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208151348/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/13/entertainment/main2258069.shtml|archive-date=December 8, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Sasha was conceived during the making of "Crazy in Love", and Beyoncé introduced her with the release of her 2008 album, ''I Am... Sasha Fierce''. In February 2010, she announced in an interview with ''[[Allure (magazine)|Allure]]'' magazine that she was comfortable enough with herself to no longer need Sasha Fierce.<ref>{{cite news|last=Crosley|first=Hillary|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632774/beyonce-killed-sasha-fierce.jhtml|title=Beyoncé Says She 'Killed' Sasha Fierce|publisher=MTV News|date=February 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604063547/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632774/beyonce-killed-sasha-fierce.jhtml|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Beyoncé announced in May 2012 that she would bring her back for her ''Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live'' shows later that month.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/05/25/beyonce-prepares-for-revel-concerts-part-2/| url-status=live | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211027/http://www.rap-up.com/2012/05/25/beyonce-prepares-for-revel-concerts-part-2/| archive-date=October 27, 2021|title=Beyoncé Prepares for Revel Concerts (Part 2)|magazine=Rap-Up|date=May 25, 2012|access-date=May 28, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>