Americans marking the Fourth of July holiday this Saturday were greeted by a surprise music release from global superstar Beyoncé. The singer unveiled a new single titled “Morning Dew (Donk),” which serves as her first project since the 2024 release of the album “Act II: Cowboy Carter.”
According to an official press release, the track initiates a 60-day countdown leading up to the singer’s next birthday and the special re-issue of her groundbreaking second album, “B’Day.” The original record was first released two decades ago on September 4, 2006.
Devoted fans, known as the Beyhive, have been anticipating the arrival of an “Act III” project for some time. There has been widespread speculation that this upcoming work will act as a tribute to the rock genre, following the pattern of “Act I: Renaissance,” which explored disco, club, house, and funk, and “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which focused on country and southern music roots.
Beyoncé has provided several subtle clues to fuel these theories. Her past activities include dressing as rock and funk icon Betty Davis for Halloween 2024, participating in Levi’s “Denim Cowboy” campaign, and sharing a series of purple-themed photos in April that many interpreted as a tribute to the late rocker Prince. The new single “Morning Dew (Donk)” appears to support the rock-tribute theory, as the song’s opening lyrics reference Prince’s legendary 1984 film “Purple Rain.”
Beyoncé has dropped hints to stoke the speculation. The track was written by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, and Darius Dixon, with production handled by Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams. The song is confirmed to be included on the upcoming 20th Anniversary edition of “B’Day.”
