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Beyoncé has released a 20th anniversary reissue of her 2006 album “B’Day” with a significant Latin music focus, featuring Spanish-language vocals and samples from legendary artists. The reimagined project incorporates elements from Celia Cruz and Selena Quintanilla, while also introducing new collaborations with contemporary Latin musicians including Maluma.
The superstar’s connection to Latin music runs deep, particularly to Selena, a fellow Texas native whose work influenced Beyoncé during her formative years. The two actually crossed paths at a Houston shopping mall, though Beyoncé was unknown at the time. Growing up hearing Selena on the radio helped shape Beyoncé’s vocal approach and pronunciation in the studio, a debt she now honors through the interpolation of “Como La Flor” on the new track “Irreemplazable (Como La Flor).”
This reissue represents the continuation of a long engagement with Latin music that began earnestly in 2007 with the Irreemplazable EP, which featured Spanish-language recordings and collaborations with artists like Alejandro Fernández and Shakira. Beyoncé’s work with Colombian artists has remained particularly notable, including her 2017 appearance on J Balvin’s “Mi Gente,” which became a defining moment for Latin pop’s mainstream presence.
The updated “B’Day” album showcases Beyoncé’s evolving relationship with Latin music through carefully crafted tributes. Producer Edgar Barrera and samples from Cruz’s catalog demonstrate the artist’s commitment to honoring the genre’s heritage while creating fresh interpretations for contemporary audiences.
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Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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