Beyonce Introduces ‘Beyonce’: Justin Timberlake, Pageants & Her Incredible “Bow Down” Explanation

Beyonce still hasn’t given an interview about her chart-busting fifth album but she did drop by iTunes radio to introduce the LP. And in the spirit of her new fearless approach to music and media, Mrs. Carter did not hold back. She was very open about giving each collaborator their due and had some choice words to say about “Bow Down”.

“It’s really difficult to find a song with such a strong message that doesn’t feel preachy. Sia is such a genius, the second I heard the song I’m like I have to sing this song,” Bey said of album-opener “Pretty Hurts”. “I don’t care how hard I have to fight for the song, this is my song!” As for the pageant based video? Well, they are “the most humiliating, judgmental place you can be as a woman.”

There was also praise for Boots (“a new producer that I completely respect”), a fun anecdote about the “Blow” video (“one of my first dates with my first boyfriend was at Funplex [the roller rink where it was shot] and now I got the whole Funplex… rented out!”) and an insight into the making of rap-interlude “Yonce” (“I love it because it’s really organic. The drumbeat was actually done in the studio by Justin Timberlake, he just started beating on this bucket”).

King B saves the best introduction for “Bow Down”. “The reason I put out ‘Bow Down’ is because I woke up, I went into the studio, I had a chant in my head,” she explains. “It was the Beyonce that was angry, It was the Beyonce that felt the need to defend herself and if the song never comes out – ok, I said it! And I listened to it after I finished and I said ‘this is hot! Imma put it out!'”

“Anyone who says that is disrespectful — just imagine the person that hates you, imagine the person that doesn’t believe in you and look in the mirror and say ‘bow down, bitch’!” Bey laughs. “I guarantee you feel gansta! So listen to the song from that point of view if you didn’t like it before.” Listen to Beyonce introduce her album below.

Do you have a new appreciation for the album? Have your say in the comments below.

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