Stream Beyoncé & JAY-Z's "Upgrade U" In Celebration Of Her 41st "B'Day"

BYHayley Hynes15.4K Views
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Happy Birthday to the Queen Virgo herself!

Beyoncé has been on top of the world after delivering her first studio album since 2016, RENAISSANCE, earlier this summer, and while the celebrations from the album's initial debut have died down as of late, they're getting started again today (September 4) in honour of Queen B's 41st birthday. 

While she's got no shortage of hits in her discography that would be perfect to commemorate today, we've decided to spotlight "Upgrade U" featuring her husband, JAY-Z from 2006's B'Day.

After Hov insists that Bey talk her shit on the intro, the mother of three doesn't hold back, launching into the first verse with "I hear you be the block, but I'm the lights that keep the streets on / Notice you the type that like to keep 'em on a leash, though / I'm known to walk alone, but I'm alone for a reason / Sendin' me a drink ain't appeasin', believe me."

The track arrived as a single ahead of B'Day's debut and was primarily produced by Swizz Beatz. Check it out on Spotify or Apple Music below, and watch the music video above.

Happy Birthday, Beyoncé! 

Quotable Lyrics:

I hear you be the block, but I'm the lights that keep the streets on
Notice you the type that like to keep 'em on a leash, though
I'm known to walk alone, but I'm alone for a reason
Sendin' me a drink ain't appeasin', believe me
 


About The Author
Hayley Hynes is the former Weekend Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop, she stepped down after two years in 2024 to pursue other creative opportunities but remains on staff part-time to cover music, gossip, and pop culture news. Currently, she contributes similar content on Blavity and 21Ninety, as well as on her personal blog where she also offers tarot/astrology services. Hayley resides on the western side of Canada, previously spending a year in Vancouver to study Fashion Marketing at Blanche Macdonald Centre and Journalism at Mount Royal University in Calgary before that. She's passionate about helping others heal through storytelling, and shares much more about her life on Instagram @hayleyhynes.