B'Day

'''''B'Day''''' is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on September 1, 2006, by Columbia Records, Music World Entertainment and Sony Urban Music. The album was recorded in April 2006, and was produced by Beyoncé herself, alongside Darkchild, Nellee Hooper, Ne-Yo, The Neptunes, Stargate, and Swizz Beatz, among others. The album features two guest appearances from Beyoncé's then-boyfriend Jay-Z, with deluxe and international editions including Bun B of UGK, Slim Thug, Shakira, and Alejandro Fernández.

Originally set to be released in 2004, ''B'Day'' was planned as a follow-up to Beyoncé's solo debut Dangerously in Love (2003). However, it was delayed to accommodate the recording of Destiny's Child's final studio album Destiny Fulfilled (2004) and Beyoncé's starring role in the film Dreamgirls (2006). While on vacation after filming Dreamgirls, Beyoncé began contacting various producers and rented Sony Music Studios, completing the album within two weeks during April 2006. Most of the album's lyrical content was inspired by Beyoncé's role in the film, with its musical style ranging from 1970s–1980s funk influences and balladry to urban contemporary elements such as hip hop, pop, and R&B. Live instrumentation was employed in recording most of the tracks as part of Beyoncé's vision of creating a record using live instruments.