"I Am...Sasha Fierce" by Beyonce

Beyonce Knowles is an R&B artist who decided to create a double album with “I Am” composed of tunes that describe her inner self or personality and “Sasha Fierce” composed of tunes describing her more aggressive and sensual outer self that her fans see on public stage. Mathew Knowles is both her father and manager, who describes this two-part album as a culmination of thinking outside the box and allowing Beyonce to give a complete picture of her and fabulous talents to her fans and critics alike. “I Am…Sasha Fierce” was released in late 2008 and currently Beyonce in performing a series of European concerts that began in late-April 2009 and has been very successful. Beyonce will begin her North American tour with a Madison Square Garden concert in New York in June.

The “I Am…” portion of the double album has been described as a revealing and daring composition of Beyonce Knowles. She co-wrote each song, except “If I Were a Boy,” the first tune. Beyonce exhibits restraint in her voice, combined with piano and strings, in the songs “Halo,” “Ave Maria” and “Broken-Hearted Girl” that brings out more of her vocal power. Beyonce progresses through the remaining tunes on the “I Am…” slowly and building on the vocal power that she displays so dynamically.

The “Sasha Fierce” side of the double album contains songs that make the listener want to kick up their heels and minimize any references to inner emotions. Yet this side exhibits Beyonce Knowles as a vulnerable female artist with a desire to love and be loved. As Mathew Knowles observed, this album has the potential to be a defining moment in his daughter’s career, especially with more to come from the side of “Sasha Fierce.”