I Am... Sasha Fierce | |||||
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Studio album by Beyoncé | |||||
Released | November 18, 2008 | ||||
Recorded | December 2007–August 2008 | ||||
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Length | 41:36 | ||||
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Beyoncé chronology | |||||
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Beyoncé studio album chronology | |||||
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Singles from I Am... Sasha Fierce | |||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 4.9/10 |
Metacritic | 62/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Blender | |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ |
The Guardian | |
MSN Music | B |
The Observer | |
Pitchfork | 5.7/10 |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | 4/10 |
USA Today |
I Am... Sasha Fierce is the third studio album by American singer Beyoncé. It was released on November 18, 2008, by Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records. In its initial release, the album was formatted as a dual disc, intending to market Beyoncé's contrasting facets of artistry. The first disc, I Am..., contains slow and midtempo pop and R&B ballads, while the second, Sasha Fierce (named after Beyoncé's on-stage alter ego), focuses on more uptempo beats that blend electropop and Europop genres. In composing the songs' lyrics, Beyoncé worked with many writers, with each session accompanied by live orchestration.
Beyoncé credited both her husband, rapper Jay Z, and jazz singer Etta James for inspiring her to push the limits of her songwriting and artistry. Musically, I Am... drew inspiration from folk and alternative rock, while blending acoustic guitar elements into contemporary ballads. The tracks on the first disc were written and produced by Beyoncé, during collaborative efforts with Babyface, Tricky Stewart, The-Dream and Ryan Tedder. Sasha Fierce boasted production from Darkchild and Sean Garrett.
I Am... Sasha Fierce debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 482,000 units, earning Beyoncé her third consecutive US number-one solo album. The album earned over thirty platinum and one diamond certifications in separate worldwide markets. As of 2015, I Am... Sasha Fierce has sold over 8 million copies worldwide The album garnered seven Grammy Award nominations at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, winning five and eventually collecting a record setting six wins—the most awards won in one night by a female. To promote the album, Beyoncé made several award show and televised appearances across Europe and America and embarking on the worldwide I Am... World Tour (2009–10).