(Courtesy of Billboard.com)

Beyonce' is one of the most recognizable female pop artist of our generation. However, the focus of today's topic will highlight her business side. I will illustrate the top four smartest digital marketing moves made by Beyonce'. These moves will focus on the recent release of her self-titled new album, "Beyonce."

(Courtesy of spin.com)

Just for fun, we will illustrate her remarkable digital marketing achievements by using some of her most memorable musical titles.

(Courtesy of Healthshire.com)

 "Crazy In Love"

Fan's are "Crazy in Love" with Beyonce and she know's it. She completely understands her influence on her fans, but more importantly, she knows her target audience. With the industry trends constantly changing to a more digital platform, Beyonce did something that had not been dared before. She literally released a whole album with solely the help of digital marketing. She revolutionized the music industry by taking advantage of the technology and the current media trends.

(Courtesy of Vimeo)

"Upgrade You"

Beyonce spent years "Upgrading" her online visibility. She utilized every single social media network to push her image, brand, and music. Her social network connection created a unique experience  with fans and allowed her to personally engage her fans on a different level. Not to mention her sold out world-wide tour, documentary, and popular music snippets played a significant role. 

(Courtesy of Alothmanblog.com)

"Run the World"

Beyonce's exclusive deal with iTunes controlled distribution and created a sense of urgency. Think about it, how many artist can say they caused a world-wide shock simply by releasing their album? Beyonce can! Let me tell you why! Beyonce's album was released strictly on iTunes first. In fact, to get the new content on her album, the consumer had to buy the exclusive videos that came with the music.  Furthermore, with the album only being sold through iTunes, fans could only go to one place to buy her exclusive released content. With iTunes being accessible from any smartphone, laptop, or computer, fans could  literally buy the album and watch the videos that came with the music instantly. She literally controlled the way the "World" received her new content. 

(Courtesy of Thecouchsessions.com)

"Drunk in Love"

Last, but not least,  moving visuals are more appealing then ads. This important lesson was the key to Beyonce's success. She had fans" Drunk in Love" simply by mesmerizing them with her own visual digital promotion. Literally she created a buzz on social networks by the exclusive promotional video she released on her Instagram. Check it out below...

Beyonce literally announced her music via Instagram and caused a riot on all the blogs, social networks, and television shows. She literally revolutionized the way music and cd's are now being released.

So, the lesson you can learn from the Queen B goes as followed...

1. Know your Target Audience
2. Upgrade all major Social Networks
3. Create Urgency and control Distribution
4. Captivate Your Audience with Visual Appeal

These top 4 lessons are the new digital marketing rules for musical artist.

References:
http://simplymeasured.com/blog/2013/12/17/5-things-brands-can-learn-from-beyonce/

http://blogs.gartner.com/jennifer-polk/the-media-the-medium-and-visual-storytelling-what-digital-marketers-can-learn-from-beyonce/

http://instagram.com/p/h2YFO6Pw1d

Are you ready for the second part of the experience? After hearing the first part of the 20/20 experience left me wanting more from Justin. I couldn't wait for part 2. The wait is finally over and the full experience is well ready for you to experience. Justin is back and in true fashion. 

Justin Timberlake

This former Nsync member has been making hits on his own for years now. After releasing his last solo album in 2006, we've been waiting for another wonderful album. He gave us features on songs with Madonna, and The Lonely Island just to name a few and continued his acting career in movies such as "In time" and "The Social Network". In early March of this year he released part 1 of "The 20/20 Experience" which debuted at #1 on the charts selling just over 980,000 copies. This album featured hits "Suit and Tie" and "Mirrors". He has been non stop working whether it is in music or movies

With the leading single "Take back the night" the final installment of "The 20/20 experience" debuted at #3 on the itunes chart. This album is something that you have never heard of. The experience is a sound that we have not heard from Justin before. This album combines the sound of classic big band sound with today's pop. I was a little disappointed with the album and often found myself being bored because most of the songs sound the same. There is also no clear dance hit like those we are used to from JT. However, the album is still good and a must hear. Overall, I would give this album a 4 out of 5. 

Album Weaknesses

-Song length

- the songs almost sound the same

- has one random country sounding song that doesn't go with the theme

Album Strengths

- mixing big band sounds with R&B flow

-nothing like anything else you hear today

-The features on the album are amazing (Drake and Jay-Z)

Favorite Songs

"Not a bad thing"

"Amnesia"

"Drink you away"

"Take back the night"

Check out the album below:

Are  you looking for an amazing new album that you can listen to straight through? Well, look no further, Janelle Monae's sophomore album Electric Lady is just what you are looking for.

With it's first week on the charts "Electric Lady" has locked up the 2nd best R&B album placing just behind The Weekend's "Kiss Land". Monae's newest album experiments with genres that are beyond the conventional funk and soul including jazz, pop-punk, Gospel and powerful vocal ballads.

I could not imagine a better 1st single off this album than "Q.U.E.E.N. ft. the great Erykah Badu. It contains one of the baddest guitar riffs I've heard in the opening of the song. Other artists featured on this amazing album include Prince, Miguel, Solange and Esperanza Spalding.

Since her 1st album Monae has been very busy. Jumping on tracks with artists including Fun, and Estelle. In August of 2012 she joined the likes of artists Beyonce and Queen Latifah in becoming the newest spokeswoman for CoverGirl.

While it is hard to chose just one favorite song off of the album I would have to chose "Give them what they want" ft. Prince. This song has an amazing bass that will be rattling your speakers. Overall I give this album a 5 out of 5. There aren't to many albums these days that you can just listen straight through without skipping songs. Check out the whole album here:

The month of September has been amazing to one well known artist in the R&B genre. With her recent album release this month, fans have been proactive in supporting her great product of R&B excellence. However, if you haven't had the opportunity to hear her artistry, then continue reading the review on her new album that is causing waves on R&B charts.

Tamar Braxton
If you haven't heard about the talented Tamar Braxton, you have been living under a rock. The beautiful blonde songstress has the voice, attitude, and charisma to pull off one of the greatest R&B albums of this summer. The feisty singer is the youngest sister of Toni Braxton and new mommy to baby Logan. She currently is a talk show host, reality superstar, and did I forget to mention a phenomenal singer.  The powerhouse vocalist made major waves after releasing her ballet "Love and War" which stayed at #1 for nine weeks on the BillBoard Adult Contemporary R&B Charts followed by her second single "The One" which ranked at #3. Both singles are featured on her new album and continue to cause a buzz on the radio airwaves.

Her new album, titled "Love & War" was released on September 3rd and has been heating up the charts. The album is full of smooth R&B ballads, funky diva club anthems, beautiful mid tempo showcases, and even a little gospel. The album in it's first week sold over 114,000 copies many of her fellow female R&B counterparts. With her Cd being sold at $11, the Love and War artist sold more than one million dollars in revenue in the first week of her album. With hits on the album such as, "All the Way Home," "Love & War," "The One," and "Hot Sugar" the album is sure to bring you too your feet or bust out a tune in the shower.  Out of 5 stars, I give Tamar's Album a 4.5 out of 5. To preview her new album click here.

Album Strengths
Very diverse sound, great lyrics, and ear grabbing music filled with great beats and melodies.

Album Weaknesses
There are too many slow ballads placed after one another on the album. An upbeat song in between some of the ballads would make the album seem more fluent. Other than that, great album.

Click below to hear her latest single on the album "All the Way Home."

Fan's anticipation on forthcoming album has one Destiny's Child member "talking a good game." Kelly Rowland, former Destiny's Child alum, is ready to release her fourth studio album under the name "Talk a Good Game." Fans are at the edge of their seats waiting to embrace the singer's classic contemporary RnB sound.

Rowland's rise to fame catapulted with the phenomenal female trio, Destiny's Child. After mega hits such as "Same my Name, Survivor, and Bootylicious, fans would never consider a break up of the group. However, in 2002, the trio would respectfully separate to pursue solo careers.

In that same year, Kelly would release her first solo album under the name of "Simply Deep," which allowed fans to see Kelly stand strong as a solo artist.