Beyoncé fans have been looking forward to the release of “Homecoming,” the singer’s new concert film unleashed on Netflix this Wednesday. What fans weren’t expecting was the release of a brand new, 40-track live album the same day. “Homecoming: The Live Album” — which is streamable on all major music-streaming services — features recordings from Beyoncé’s 2018 headlining performance at Coachella as well as additional bonus tracks.
This is welcome news for those eagerly anticipating new material from the Grammy-winning superstar, whose last studio album “Lemonade,” debuted in 2016. This is especially true after fans thought Queen Bey released an album late last year and were disappointed to learn it was an unauthorized leak of music on Spotify and Apple Music that was quickly removed.
In honor of Beyoncé’s newest releases, 24/7 Tempo has identified the singer’s most popular albums released as a solo artist based on performance on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
While the highest ranking albums are all full-length studio albums, fans have been receptive to formerly released live material and extended play (EP) records, which are generally shorter than full albums. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the new “Homecoming” album eventually join the ranks of Beyoncé’s most popular albums given the performer’s position as one of the most powerful women in entertainment today.
10. Irremplazable (EP)
> Release year: 2007
> Billboard 200 peak position: 105
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 3
The popularity of Beyoncé’s “Irreemplazable” EP may reflect how receptive are non-English speaking audiences to the singer. The album is named after — and includes — the Spanish version of the song “Irreplaceable” from the album “B’Day.”
9. Above And Beyoncé: Video Collection & Dance Mixes (EP)
> Release year: 2009
> Billboard 200 peak position: 35
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 18
This combination DVD/CD release includes seven music videos and eight remixes of singles from the full length “I Am…Sasha Fierce.”
8. Live At Wembley
> Release year: 2004
> Billboard 200 peak position: 17
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 8
Fifteen years before the release of “Homecoming” came another live album — “Live at Wembley.” The album was released on both CD and DVD and featured recordings from the Dangerously in Love Tour.
7. Beyoncé: More Only (EP)
> Release year: 2014
> Billboard 200 peak position: 8
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 2
Beyoncé’s fourth EP featured only six songs — two unreleased tracks and four remixed songs. Yet this was enough to propel the EP to the No. 8 position on the Billboard 200.
6. Lemonade
> Release year: 2016
> Billboard 200 peak position: 1
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 74
Beyoncé’s sixth full-length album was first released as a visual album with a 65-minute film that debuted on HBO. Three years after its release, the album will for the first time be available on all major streaming platforms on April 23rd.
5. B’Day
> Release year: 2006
> Billboard 200 peak position: 1
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 74
The singer’s second studio album as a solo artist hit No. 1 in September 2006 — three months before the release of the film “Dreamgirls,” in which she starred.
4. 4
> Release year: 2011
> Billboard 200 peak position: 1
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 78
“I really focused on songs being classics, songs that would last, songs that I could sing when I’m 40 and when I’m 60,” Beyoncé said during the roll out of her album “4.” The album includes the hit “Run the World (Girls).”
3. Dangerously In Love
> Release year: 2003
> Billboard 200 peak position: 1
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 102
Beyoncé’s debut solo album marked a successful transition from Destiny’s Child to solo artist. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and included the No. 1 single “Crazy in Love.”
2. Beyoncé
> Release year: 2013
> Billboard 200 peak position: 1
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 183
Like “Homecoming,” Beyoncé’s self-titled 2013 album was released without prior promotion. Every song on the album had an accompanying music video, making it a visual album.
1. I Am…Sasha Fierce
> Release year: 2008
> Billboard 200 peak position: 1
> Total weeks on Billboard 200: 188
Beyoncé’s most popular album, “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” spent a total of 188 weeks on the Billboard 200. It won best contemporary R&B album at the Grammy Awards and included numerous hit singles, including “Halo” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”