Beyonce Scraps 50 Songs Amid Endless Album Delay

7:00 AM PDT 7/24/2013 by Shirley Halperin (The Hollywood Reporter)

The diva, under self-management, starts fresh on an album Sony-owned Columbia wanted to drop this fall opposite releases from Lady Gaga and Katy Perry -- but that now seems unlikely.

This story first appeared in the Aug. 2 issue of The Hollywood Reporter [2] magazine.

When producer Diplo revealed July 12 that two songs he hoped would make it onto the next Beyonce album ended up on the cutting-room floor, it stoked chatter that the project is running months behind schedule.

Like a record scratching to a halt, Beyonce, 31, is believed to have auditioned more than 50 songs for her much-anticipated fifth studio album but has decided to scrap them all and start over, a source tells THR. Among the writers potentially affected are Ryan Tedder, The-Dream, Sia, Diane Warren and Ne-Yo, who said in June [7] that Beyonce was "still trying to figure out" a direction for the album.

PHOTOS: Beyonce's 'Mrs. Carter Show' Tour in Pictures [8]

The singer's label, Sony-owned Columbia, had hoped to have new Beyonce music out by spring, which turned out to be a pipe dream. Now, it looks like a fall release may not be feasible. Columbia had its sights set on a big fourth-quarter bow by Beyonce, both to compete with high-profile releases by Universal Music's Lady Gaga and Katy Perry and to capitalize on her massive Mrs. Carter tour. "Beyonce has had some of the biggest hits of our format, and we're ready for the next," says Tom Poleman, president of national programming platforms at Clear Channel.

But while the stage show goes on without new material -- save for a snippet of “Grown Woman,” the song most commonly heard as the soundtrack to a Pepsi commercial -- it wasn’t initially the plan to take a singer around the world for an ambitious eight-month trek (so far, 36 shows have grossed $55.6 million) while trying to juggle time in the studio.

STORY: Ne-Yo Says Beyonce 'Still Trying to Figure Out' Upcoming Album [7]

In turn, the label is getting increasingly more anxious as it looks back to the costly 2011 album, 4. Recorded around the globe as she accompanied her husband, Jay Z, and his rap partner Kanye West for their own Watch the Throne sessions, Beyonce was given nearly complete autonomy over the finished product, which also was her first release since excising her father, Mathew Knowles, from her business dealings (she is now self-managed).

4 was her lowest seller at 1.4 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and it failed to produce a buzzy pop hit, despite decent positioning on the R&B charts. Poleman says he hopes for "another 'Single Ladies,' " which spent four weeks at No. 1: "Anticipation is high and expectations are, too," he says.

A rep for the singer tells THR that "there was never an album release date" slated for Beyonce but that she is currently working on new music while multitasking her many business endeavors.

Columbia Records would not comment.

she really should have put the tour on hold to concentrate on the new album.It's really difficult to do both of those things at the same time.

I think the tour option was the correct one. First, it's where the money comes and flows nowadays. Second, it gives her more cred as performer. Third, it help to cement her fanbase even more. All classic act do tours now. She's smart. She's the boss!

mikematronik said:

I think the tour option was the correct one. First, it's where the money comes and flows nowadays. Second, it gives her more cred as performer. Third, it help to cement her fanbase even more. All classic act do tours now. She's smart. She's the boss!

Beyonce is not a "classic act"

SoulAlive said:

mikematronik said:

I think the tour option was the correct one. First, it's where the money comes and flows nowadays. Second, it gives her more cred as performer. Third, it help to cement her fanbase even more. All classic act do tours now. She's smart. She's the boss!

Beyonce is not a "classic act"

I know she's not. But she has that "classic" factor. She's no hagdonna...

mikematronik said:

SoulAlive said:

Beyonce is not a "classic act"

I know she's not. But she has that "classic" factor. She's no hagdonna...

The generations behind us may consider her to be a classic artist. Older audiences in the 80s probably doubted Madonna would ever be considered "classic."

But Beyonce never "goes away." She's always out there. She doesn't believe in "less is more." Janet really mastered that in the prime of her career. Beyonce wants to put out a lot of music for her brand, not because she's prolific as an artist.

Maybe, just maybe she had an epiphany and finally realized that she was about to release more of the same. I mean, how many anthems do the ladies need and who declared her to be their de facto leader? I think the tour and original timeframe for the album was her machine on cruise control. That's just me.

-

Even when you look at the song, "Grown Woman", how many times do you need to remind us that you're grown, a boss, a diva, in charge, in control, independent, etc? Maybe she's not as secure within herself as she projects. Who knows?

-

I wonder if she's going to wait and see what her competition puts out.

namepeace said:

mikematronik said:

I know she's not. But she has that "classic" factor. She's no hagdonna...

The generations behind us may consider her to be a classic artist. Older audiences in the 80s probably doubted Madonna would ever be considered "classic."

But Beyonce never "goes away." She's always out there. She doesn't believe in "less is more." Janet really mastered that in the prime of her career. Beyonce wants to put out a lot of music for her brand, not because she's prolific as an artist.

Say that! There is a difference.

Musicslave said:

Maybe, just maybe she had an epiphany and finally realized that she was about to release more of the same. I mean, how many anthems do the ladies need and who declared her to be their de facto leader? I think the tour and original timeframe for the album was her machine on cruise control. That's just me.

-

Even when you look at the song, "Grown Woman", how many times do you need to remind us that you're grown, a boss, a diva, in charge, in control, independent, etc? Maybe she's not as secure within herself as she projects. Who knows?

-

I wonder if she's going to wait and see what her competition puts out.

It's true that the few snippets that we got are more of the same.

mikematronik said:

Musicslave said:

Maybe, just maybe she had an epiphany and finally realized that she was about to release more of the same. I mean, how many anthems do the ladies need and who declared her to be their de facto leader? I think the tour and original timeframe for the album was her machine on cruise control. That's just me.

-

Even when you look at the song, "Grown Woman", how many times do you need to remind us that you're grown, a boss, a diva, in charge, in control, independent, etc? Maybe she's not as secure within herself as she projects. Who knows?

-

I wonder if she's going to wait and see what her competition puts out.

It's true that the few snippets that we got are more of the same.

Maybe she's trying to avoid the onslaught of Gaga & Perry and wants the pop world's stage all to her self or as much as possible at least.....

Musicslave said:

mikematronik said:

It's true that the few snippets that we got are more of the same.

Maybe she's trying to avoid the onslaught of Gaga & Perry and wants the pop world's stage all to her self or as much as possible at least.....

Very true. And remember, all of them (especially Bey & Gaga) are friends. They're Illumianti Hoes!

Musicslave said:

mikematronik said:

It's true that the few snippets that we got are more of the same.

Maybe she's trying to avoid the onslaught of Gaga & Perry and wants the pop world's stage all to her self or as much as possible at least.....

I think that's the reason right there-Gaga, Katy Perry & Rihanna are her biggest competitors and she doesnt want her album going up against theirs. Especially Gaga's because her album is highly anticipated and the hype for it is just now starting.

She has to realize she has the ability to START a trend, not chase them. "Bow Down" already sounded old with that trap noise.

Cinny said:

She has to realize she has the ability to START a trend, not chase them. "Bow Down" already sounded old with that trap noise.

I hope she uses that ability and do just that, set trends. I hate to see talent wasted. I won't hold my breath though. Maybe the slow to negative response to "Bow Down" from the general public (not her fanbase) helped her realize she needed a change of direction. idk. We'll see what they come up with. But it would be funny if after all this talk of bowing down, "I'm so crown" talk, she turns out to be intimidated by Gaga, Perry and Rihanna and wait it out.

I think the appropiate wording is maybe she is put in the position to set "trends". I dont think she has the ability to set trends because she doesnt have that "talent". Everyone is not a trendsetter and everyone can not set trends (and thats okay). Being a good singer alone doesnt automatically mean someone has the ability to set trends which I think is a "gift" that she simply does not have. I think at this point it would be in her best interest to be somewhat artistic and grow as an artist. Being a brand is more important than growing as an "artist" for her

mikematronik said:

I think the tour option was the correct one. First, it's where the money comes and flows nowadays. Second, it gives her more cred as performer. Third, it help to cement her fanbase even more. All classic act do tours now. She's smart. She's the boss!

I'm with you on that, 4 sure! Touring gives her time to re-introduce herself to the audience after a "flop" album. Also, she can go through and pick what tracks she likes better.

I wish she would concentrate on songwriting and work with these producers from the beginning of the song and not work on a track by track basis, she might can come up with something that is fresh and new.

Musicslave said:

Maybe, just maybe she had an epiphany and finally realized that she was about to release more of the same. I mean, how many anthems do the ladies need and who declared her to be their de facto leader? I think the tour and original timeframe for the album was her machine on cruise control. That's just me.

-

Even when you look at the song, "Grown Woman", how many times do you need to remind us that you're grown, a boss, a diva, in charge, in control, independent, etc? Maybe she's not as secure within herself as she projects. Who knows?

-

I wonder if she's going to wait and see what her competition puts out.

Great observation!

-

Now u've got me hoping and wishing that she goes in the direction of "Rhythm Nation" and/or "What's Going On" and come up with a theme for the project.

I really believe this is all hearsay and speculation. Some people I know have commented that she is holding casting calls for videos and is trying to capitalize on this whole New Rules thing Jay started. This led me to believe that perhaps Beyonce is looking for some unconventional way to really sell this new album.

Maybe Prince and Beyonce are going to collaborate on a new album from scratch?

She should stick to one or two producers to make some of these decisions for her on any particular project. That way they have a "vision" ahead of time and the direction can be clear.

I hope she takes at least 5 years redo the album. She has my permission

mjscarousal said:

missfee said:

I hope she takes at least 5 years redo the album. She has my permission

if beyonce wanna scrap that horse shit and do something totally and completely new she needs 2 walk around from all the current trend chasers go fitch some producers she has never worked with people thats not trying 2 burn up the charts cuz whats out now is garbage.take a few months just lock yourself away from current and just think of the soul of beyonce write from the inners and come out swinging. i would suggest colloborating with solange on songwriting

TonyVanDam said:

Musicslave said:

Maybe she's trying to avoid the onslaught of Gaga & Perry and wants the pop world's stage all to her self or as much as possible at least.....

Very true. And remember, all of them (especially Bey & Gaga) are friends. They're Illumianti Hoes!

There you go!

-

Nah, seriously I never bought into the whole Bey & Gaga lovefest back when Gaga was the new Miss Thing on the Scene. I've always looked at that as Beyonce simply trying to keep her close as opposed to a distant competitor. How it goes again? Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. No-one is suggesting Bey hates Gaga but it's not far fetched to say that Bey hates the idea of Gaga/Rihanna/Katy Perry/anyone stealing her thunder when she thinks it's her time to shine.

daPrettyman said:

mikematronik said:

I think the tour option was the correct one. First, it's where the money comes and flows nowadays. Second, it gives her more cred as performer. Third, it help to cement her fanbase even more. All classic act do tours now. She's smart. She's the boss!

I'm with you on that, 4 sure! Touring gives her time to re-introduce herself to the audience after a "flop" album. Also, she can go through and pick what tracks she likes better.

I wish she would concentrate on songwriting and work with these producers from the beginning of the song and not work on a track by track basis, she might can come up with something that is fresh and new.

I hear you guys on the touring thing. I'm a big proponent of touring. However, in Beyonce's case, she never really leaves does she? So there's no need to reintroduce herself to anyone. If it's a matter of reintroductions, how about simply release a new official single from an album and then support it by promoting it.

cbarnes3121 said:

if beyonce wanna scrap that horse shit and do something totally and completely new she needs 2 walk around from all the current trend chasers go fitch some producers she has never worked with people thats not trying 2 burn up the charts cuz whats out now is garbage.take a few months just lock yourself away from current and just think of the soul of beyonce write from the inners and come out swinging. i would suggest colloborating with solange on songwriting

Damn! Did you just say that? She wouldn't have to look too far now would she. It's a shame that she hasn't had Solange write something for yet.

daPrettyman said:

Musicslave said:

Maybe, just maybe she had an epiphany and finally realized that she was about to release more of the same. I mean, how many anthems do the ladies need and who declared her to be their de facto leader? I think the tour and original timeframe for the album was her machine on cruise control. That's just me.

-

Even when you look at the song, "Grown Woman", how many times do you need to remind us that you're grown, a boss, a diva, in charge, in control, independent, etc? Maybe she's not as secure within herself as she projects. Who knows?

-

I wonder if she's going to wait and see what her competition puts out.

Great observation!

-

Now u've got me hoping and wishing that she goes in the direction of "Rhythm Nation" and/or "What's Going On" and come up with a theme for the project.

Damn, I didn't mean to make you delusional Just playing But seriously, you might want to lower your expectations a lot. She and her label want another "Single Ladies". Trust.

FormerlyKnownAs said:

She should stick to one or two producers to make some of these decisions for her on any particular project. That way they have a "vision" ahead of time and the direction can be clear.

There was a time when an artist would simply go into the studio with a producer (or a production duo),write and record a bunch of songs,and create an album.These days,many artists have a bunch of demos (from various writers and producers) submitted to them and they choose what they like.This gives the album a scattered,inconsistent feel.Artists should go back to basics and do things the old fashioned way.