When Beyoncé premiered her new visual album Lemonade on Saturday night (April 23), she unleashed a flurry of infidelity accusations against her husband Jay Z — and before the end of the first song's first line. "Pray You Catch Me" was followed by the explosive, jealousy-justifying, fire hydrant-decapitating "Hold Up," and the biting "If you try this shit again, you gon' lose your wife" closing line to "Don't Hurt Yourself." Then came Bey's firm middle-fingers-up warning to stop interrupting her grind on "Sorry," with even more scathing one-liners like, "Today I regret the night I put that ring on," before directing her wrath towards the now infamous "Becky with the good hair."
Naturally, the Internet lit up with people sharing their favourite reaction gifs of how Jay Z might be feeling upon hearing the new record.
With fingers pointing at potential Beckys (as well as cooking show hosts mistaken for alleged Beckys), speculation about Bey and Jay's marriage has been rampant all week — to the point where "sources" have come forth to assure the gossip-consuming masses that all is fine between Mr. and Mrs. Carter.
Speaking to E! Online, one source assured fans that Jay was prepared to take the public bashing — because of the business potential it held for his streaming service Tidal. "Jay was involved in the creation of Lemonade and knew every song Bey was going to release," the source said. "He knew the lyrics; he knew the implications. He had to approve the songs before release. Jay is a very smart businessman...Bottom line is that they are both really smart and they both saw dollar signs."
Another source maintains that Jay appreciates his wife's creative output, despite the damage it might inflict on his public persona. "Jay is all about self-expression, so he gets it," the source told E! "Beyoncé shares music before it's released with Jay so he can listen and share his thoughts. When it comes to music, they are very in it together and supportive of each other's craft."
It's a believable sentiment once the album reaches "Sandcastles" and Bey turns everyone into a weepy mess with the heartfelt ballad, complete with a video cameo from Jay himself. The two slow dance and rekindle their relationship on camera in a moment so beautiful it almost doesn't matter whether Jay's in it for the love or money.
Given the success of Lemonade so far, it's hard to believe that either Bey or Jay are too upset. The album and visual accompaniment are currently streaming exclusively on Tidal, but are also now available for download through iTunes and Amazon. A physical release in CD and DVD format is expected to arrive on May 6.
Naturally, the Internet lit up with people sharing their favourite reaction gifs of how Jay Z might be feeling upon hearing the new record.
jayz at the #lemonade listening party like pic.twitter.com/5kDR7cMPLe
— Tracy Clayton (@brokeymcpoverty) April 24, 2016
When Jay Z heard Lemonade pic.twitter.com/5LjLpCrHYK
— amber (@AMBERJXDE) April 24, 2016
With fingers pointing at potential Beckys (as well as cooking show hosts mistaken for alleged Beckys), speculation about Bey and Jay's marriage has been rampant all week — to the point where "sources" have come forth to assure the gossip-consuming masses that all is fine between Mr. and Mrs. Carter.
Speaking to E! Online, one source assured fans that Jay was prepared to take the public bashing — because of the business potential it held for his streaming service Tidal. "Jay was involved in the creation of Lemonade and knew every song Bey was going to release," the source said. "He knew the lyrics; he knew the implications. He had to approve the songs before release. Jay is a very smart businessman...Bottom line is that they are both really smart and they both saw dollar signs."
Another source maintains that Jay appreciates his wife's creative output, despite the damage it might inflict on his public persona. "Jay is all about self-expression, so he gets it," the source told E! "Beyoncé shares music before it's released with Jay so he can listen and share his thoughts. When it comes to music, they are very in it together and supportive of each other's craft."
It's a believable sentiment once the album reaches "Sandcastles" and Bey turns everyone into a weepy mess with the heartfelt ballad, complete with a video cameo from Jay himself. The two slow dance and rekindle their relationship on camera in a moment so beautiful it almost doesn't matter whether Jay's in it for the love or money.
Given the success of Lemonade so far, it's hard to believe that either Bey or Jay are too upset. The album and visual accompaniment are currently streaming exclusively on Tidal, but are also now available for download through iTunes and Amazon. A physical release in CD and DVD format is expected to arrive on May 6.