Twenty years after B’Day reshaped Beyoncé’s solo era, the singer is opening the vault.
Beyoncé has released an expanded deluxe edition of her second studio album, adding remastered tracks, Spanish-language recordings, rare material and previously unreleased songs to mark its 20th anniversary.
Originally released on September 4, 2006, the anniversary edition now spans 31 tracks and includes new collaborations involving Colombian star Maluma and the late Mexican-American icon Selena Quintanilla.
New Songs and Rare Material
Among the previously unheard material is “Can I Watch You,” produced by Beyoncé and Pharrell, along with:
- “Morning Dew (Donk)”
- “My First Time”
- “Lost Yo Mind”
- “Creole”
- “Back Up”
The expanded project also gives several songs a Spanish-language treatment.
One of the highlights is “Cuerpo (Tumbao) (Get Me Bodied),” featuring Maluma. The recording incorporates elements of Celia Cruz’s “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” and marks Beyoncé’s first collaboration with the Colombian singer.
Another notable addition is “Irreplaceable (Como La Flor),” which pairs Beyoncé with previously recorded vocals from Selena Quintanilla. The release notes say Selena’s estate approved the collaboration.
Beyoncé Revisits Selena’s Influence
The connection has personal significance for Beyoncé.
She has previously discussed Selena’s impact on her relationship with Spanish-language music, recalling hearing the singer’s music while growing up in Houston, Texas.
The anniversary collection also includes Spanish versions of “Listen,” “Beautiful Liar,” “Irreplaceable” and “Get Me Bodied.”
Also returning is “Amor Gitano,” Beyoncé’s previously released collaboration with Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández.
The Sound Beyoncé Wanted
Looking back at the album’s creation, Beyoncé said she wanted B’Day to hit hard without losing the musical foundations of R&B.
Her goal was a record driven by rhythm, live instrumentation and energy, while still preserving the bridges, melodies and harmonies she considered central to the genre.
She also described hip-hop as a major influence on the musical landscape at the time and said she deliberately looked for ways to bring hip-hop and R&B together through sampling.
She pointed to “Irreplaceable” as one example of that approach.
The Visuals Get an Upgrade, Too
The anniversary project goes beyond the audio.
Beyoncé has refreshed the album’s visual material, with the accompanying videos recoloured and upgraded to 4K.
A newly revamped version of the “Déjà Vu” video, featuring her husband Jay-Z, is also part of the anniversary rollout.
For fans who remember B’Day as the soundtrack of 2006, the new edition offers something more than nostalgia: a deeper look into the era, with material that expands the album’s original story.
