I’m writing this in the lead up to seeing Beyoncé on the long awaited Renaissance Tour, so if at any point I just write ‘YAS QUEEN BEY’, or ‘WHERE MY SINGLE LADIES AT’, or simply type the word ‘UNIQUE’ I apologise upfront. I don’t need to explain who Beyoncé is to a single person reading this, but I have tried to capture the different sides to her that make her one of the all time greatest artists in music.
Crazy in Love (Feat. JAY-Z) – 3:56
Kicking off with a song that still astounds me two decades on. The layers of production on Crazy In Love are so perfectly crafted it’s no surprise that this is the defining hit of an entire generation of Pop music. Many have tried, but nobody has ever been able to replicate the magic that Beyoncé and Jay-Z create here. Objectively the best song of her career and the greatest gig opener you will ever witness.
Diva – 3:21
And straight onto my own personal favourite and the song that sends me the most unhinged whenever I see Beyoncé perform it live. This is Sasha Fierce in her clearest form, almost a song that sees Bey featuring as the guest rapper on her own song. For me ‘Rap Beyoncé’ originated at this moment back in 2008 and has defined her sound ever since. The rap records included below could and would not exist without Diva, truly the blueprint.
Alien Superstar – 3:35
‘UNIQUE’! The most recent song I’ve included on this mixtape and the highlight of last year’s Ballroom Culture meets Roller Disco record Renaissance, Alien Superstar is classic Beyoncé through and through. The interpolation on the chorus miraculously works alongside the intensely rapped verses, while the spoken word sections at either end of the song capture the same energy that her stage performances do.
Partition – 5:19
I’ve tried to keep this Mixtape moving like a Beyoncé setlist would and Partition has become a gig staple since its release on the ‘surprise drop’ self titled album. The first half is its own entire song, the incessantly catchy Yoncé, but it’s as we transition into Partition itself that the slinkiest and all round filthiest song of Beyoncé’s career emerges. ‘He Monica Lewinsky’d on my gown’ is certainly not exactly subtle, but everything about this song is in your face. Self Titled was truly the moment that Beyoncé moved from being a ‘singles artist’ into creating truly exceptional ‘Albums’ and for me Partition is the greatest example of this change in the way she crafts songs.
Don’t Hurt Yourself (Feat. Jack White) – 3:54
It’s clear that ‘Who the fuck do you think I am?’ is Beyoncé’s most impactful opening lyric and Don’t Hurt Yourself sees her at her most seething. From Say My Name to Bug a Boo to Ring The Alarm to Irreplaceable to Resentment I could make an entire Mixtape of songs where Beyoncé is ‘pissed off’ at her man, it’s a genre in itself. Don’t Hurt Yourself is the ultimate example of this, wrapped up in a thrilling rock record. Vocally, it’s hard to hear Beyoncé more intense than on this song and it has become the defining record of the Lemonade era for me.
Savage Remix (Feat. Beyoncé) – 4:02
If Diva introduced the world to ‘Rap Beyoncé’ then it’s on Savage Remix that she finally achieves perfection. The audacity to ask to join a remix with one of the industry’s most promising upcoming rappers Megan Thee Stallion and completely destroy every one of her verses. ‘If you don’t jump to put jeans on, baby, you don’t feel my pain’ is a personal favourite line, while her back and forth with Megan feels like the passing of the torch to the next generation.
Deja Vu (Feat. JAY-Z) – 4:00
Back we go to some early 2000s era Beyoncé and a massive hit that it felt like she had completely forgotten about. There’s something so perfect about Beyoncé singing over slap bass and punchy horns that has become her signature sound when performing live. This is probably my favourite vocal of her career, the middle 8 where there’s a frantic energy to every line as it appears is iconic, while the bassline just gets deep into your soul every time this song plays. One of her all time best singles.
I Care – 4:00
Nearly 30 minutes in and I’ve yet to include a single ballad, which is actually pretty strange considering how much of Beyoncé’s solo discography has been soaring and singalong ballads. I Care may not be a big hit single, but it might be my favourite of these slower moments, vocally stunning and stacked with emotion. If the 4 album gave us anything it was a real development in the artistry and the classic soulful sound that Beyoncé started to pull from with her music. I Care remains one of her greatest moments.
Listen – 3:42
This moment on the mixtape was supposed to be the Nicki MInaj remix of the now iconic Flawless, but listening all the way through we were missing an element of Beyoncé’s discography; a massive over the top ridiculous ballad. The sort of song my neighbours surely hear me wailing along to while they check Rightmove. Listen is the definitive Beyoncé ballad because it leaves absolutely nothing behind. The power and emotion is overwhelming and the ridiculousness is entirely the point, it revels in being massively epic in scale. I’d also be wrong to not mention Listen’s place in the single greatest TV moment of the 2000s when Alexandra Burke performed it with Beyoncé to win X Factor.
All Night – 5:22
The thing that makes Lemonade Beyoncé’s greatest full length album is heard all over All Night, an ease and effortless energy that feels missing on her previous albums. All Night is the brightest moment on an album full of emotion and relationship drama, that comes full circle to an understanding and acceptance of moving forward with life. It remains a powerful moment in Beyoncé’s career and one of her most understated and underrated records.
Love on Top – 4:27
As we close out this Mixtape and what I assume has been the best 45 minutes of your day, there’s no other Beyoncé track to close with than Love On Top. A lot is said about the serious, emotional, angry or technically impressive performances that Beyoncé delivers, but Love On Top is FUN. It’s an absolute blast to listen to, it must be even more fun to perform. It’s such a joyous song from an artist who in my lifetime has brought more joy than perhaps any other artist I can think of. Every single day of your life will be improved by listening to Beyoncé and specifically Love On Top; I don’t make the rules it’s just a fact.
Picky Bastards 
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