It’s finally here – Beyonce released her brand new album, Renaissance.
The Single Ladies icon teased fans about her explosive return last month when she released Housebop Break My Soul.
Expectations were understandably high for Queen Bey’s seventh studio album following the huge commercial and creative success of 2016’s Lemonade.
And now, despite a controversy that saw the full album leaked beforehandthe Queen is back.
But not Beyoncé the only megastar with an album coming out in the coming weeks, and there will be a battle to see who takes the top spot on the charts.
So, which albums will compete with Beyoncé’s Renaissance?
Lizzo – Special
The absolute icon that is Lizzo returned this year with her new album Special, and quite frankly it was.
Her first single – About Damn Time – swept the charts and even hit Harry Styles’ As It Was, which would never happen until then.
Lizzo, who stormed the stage in 2019 with the breakthrough album Cuz I Love You, took over the airwaves completely in the summer of 2019 with Truth Hurts and has since become one of the most recognizable artists of the 21st century.
Special was released on July 15, and with Beyonce returning just a week later, most performers would probably give up any idea to take the top spot.
But with Lizzo being the legend that she is, an absolute army of fans behind her, and her album currently at number two on the US charts, it’s not over.
Wiz Khalifa – Multiverse
On the same day that Beyoncé released Renaissance, hip-hop icon Wiz Khalifa returned with his seventh studio album, Multiverse.
It is the star’s first album since 2018’s Rolling Papers 2, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 charts.
The first single from the new album, Iced Out Necklace, was released in April.
Wiz previously had two number one hits in the UK: 2012’s Payphone and 2015’s See You Again.
However, the star has experienced a newfound popularity since his numbers appeared in TikTok trends in 2020, so he can’t be ruled out.
Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2
Calvin Harris is behind some of the most iconic dance numbers of the past 15 years, with some absolutely huge numbers to his credit.
From his first number one hit, Dance Wiv Me of 2008, to the song that completely took over the airwaves in the summer of 2018, One Kiss from him and Dua Lipa, Calvin could be a serious contender against Renaissance.
His new album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2, will be released on August 5 and the first singles have already made waves in the charts.
While none have reached number one, Calvin has so far collaborated with 21 Savage, Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, Young Thug and reunited with Dua for the singles New Money, Potion and Stay With Me.
Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2 will also feature vocals from the likes of Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, Jorja Smith, Offset and Busta Rhymes.
Eminem – Curtain Call Volume 2
Rapper Eminem – aka Marshall Mathers – will return for himself in the coming weeks, with his new album due out on August 5.
Curtain Call Vol 2 is a collection of biggest hits rather than all-new songs, despite recently releasing a single featuring the iconic Snoop Dogg.
This new song – From the D 2 the LBC – will be featured in the greatest hits collection, as well as other hits since his previous hits compilation album released in 2005.
It’s set to feature movie soundtracks (Venom, anyone?), as well as guest appearances and selections from his solo albums.
The star seemed to own the airwaves in the mid-2000s, with songs like Stan, Lose Yourself and Without Me etched on our brains forever.
Eminem had a revival in the 2010s with huge hits like The Monster, Not Afraid and Love The Way You Lie.
His last number one hit came in 2020, when he teamed up with Juiceworld for song Godzilla, but his last six songs have failed to make the top 10 in the UK.
Demi Lovato – Saint Fvck
Demi Lovato returns to form when they release their eighth studio album, Holy Fvck, on August 19.
While Beyoncé has the Beyhive, Demi fans are no small force, and the anticipation for Holy Fvck is immense in the fandom.
Demi has indicated that the album will be a return to their early rock-influenced roots, having previously staged a “funeral” stunt for their former pop sound.
The album’s new lead single, Skin Of My Teeth, was released in May, and a second, Substance, was released in July.
Demi has only achieved one song in the UK during their career, after teaming up with Clean Bandit for 2018’s Solo.
Their latest album, Dancing With The Devil, was released in 2021 and peaked at number two on the UK charts.
Renaissance is out now.
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