Sasha Fierce

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Lore & Background

The album was recorded over a nine-month period from November 2007 to August 2008 across studios in Atlanta, New York, Ibiza, Los Angeles, Miami, and Burbank. Beyoncé worked with producers including Darkchild, Toby Gad, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Stargate, Tricky Stewart, Ryan Tedder, The-Dream, Babyface, Sean Garrett, and Solange Knowles. For the I Am... disc, she drew inspiration from folk and alternative rock, incorporating acoustic guitars and working with writers in sessions accompanied by live orchestration. She credited her husband, Jay-Z, and jazz singer Etta James for inspiring her to push songwriting limits. The Sasha Fierce disc featured production from Darkchild and Sean Garrett, creating a sonic contrast that allowed the artist to explore different musical territories simultaneously.

In Their Own Story

During the recording sessions between November 2007 and August 2008, Beyoncé recorded over seventy songs. She decided during the editing process not to merge her two approaches onto one disc, cutting any song that lacked personal meaning. The final standard edition included twelve tracks, with five additional tracks for the deluxe edition. While established producers like The Neptunes and Danja contributed material, those songs were unable to make the final cut. Notably, the song "Smash Into You" was originally intended for Jon McLaughlin's album OK Now under the title "Smack Into You." It leaked online before being given to Beyoncé and appearing on the deluxe edition of I Am... Sasha Fierce.

Reader's Guide

The album features specific singles that highlight each persona. "If I Were a Boy," the first single, is unique as the only song Beyoncé did not co-write; it was written by BC Jean and Toby Gad. The second disc includes tracks like "Diva," which critics noted resembles Lil Wayne's "A Milli" with its stuttering beat, and "Sweet Dreams," praised for its electronic bassline and 1980s funk influences. "Video Phone" serves as the eighth single, featuring a remix where Beyoncé trades verses with Lady Gaga. The album was promoted through the worldwide I Am... Tour (2009–10) and numerous television appearances. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 with 482,000 units sold, eventually earning seven Grammy wins at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2010.

Did You Know?

• Beyoncé revealed that her alter ego Sasha Fierce was born during the making of her hit single "Crazy in Love" in 2003.
• The song "If I Were a Boy" is the only track on the entire album that Beyoncé did not co-write; it was written by BC Jean and Toby Gad.
• "Smash Into You," found on the deluxe edition, was originally cut from Jon McLaughlin's album OK Now after leaking online.
• Beyoncé recorded over seventy songs during the nine-month production period but only selected twelve for the standard edition because she felt a song lacked personal meaning if it wasn't included.
• At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won five awards and secured a sixth win during the ceremony to break the record for most awards won in one night by a female artist.