To commemorate the 20th anniversary of her sophomore album, Beyoncé has released a remastered version of “B’Day” featuring Spanish recordings, previously released bonus tracks, and a few unheard songs including “Can I Watch You” featuring Pharrell and a new Spanish version of “Irreplaceable” featuring previously released vocals from the late Selena Quintanilla.
In a press release shared with Variety, Beyoncé reflected on the 20-year milestone of the album, which was originally released on September 4, 2006. “I wanted the album to be big, percussive, hard, up-tempo, and energized, and it was important to me that we used live instrumentation,” she said. “Hip-hop was taking over at the time, but I was fighting to preserve the bridges, melodies, and harmonies that have always been at the heart of R&B. The goal was to blend those two worlds through the art of sampling. I loved the minimalism of a beautiful vocal arrangement over a simple drum loop or a classic guitar like ‘Irreplaceable’…but only if that 808 was banging underneath.”
For the reissue, Beyoncé remastered the songs and videos, which were recolored and finished in 4k. The revamped visual for “Déjà Vu” featuring Jay-Z was also released alongside the album.
“B’Day 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” features a handful of unheard tracks, including “Cuerpo Tumbao (Get Me Bodied)” with Maluma, marking her first collaboration with the Colombian artist. The release notes that the song samples Celia Cruz’s “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” and that Beyoncé has “long admired Cruz’s pride in her African culture.” The song was produced by Beyoncé, Edgar Barrera, Casta and co-produced by Ali “Ali Ali” Alvarez.
Additionally, the reissue includes “Irreemplazable (Como La Flor)” featuring Selena Quintanilla, whose estate approved the duet. The release notes that Beyoncé “revered Selena,” a fellow Texan, “and remembers listening to her on the radio in Houston,” crediting the late singer for inspiring the recording of her 2007 Spanish EP “Irreemplazable.”
“B’Day 20th Anniversary Edition” also includes new and rare tracks including “Morning Dew (Donk),” “Can I Watch You” (produced by Beyoncé and Pharrell), “My First Time,” “Lost Yo Mind,” “Creole” and “Back Up.
Check out the tracklist for the digital deluxe below:
