"4" is the fourth studio album by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on 24 June 2011 by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. The album was recorded between March 2010 and May 2011, with production by Beyoncé, Babyface, Jeff Bhasker, Kanye West, Kaskade, Brent Kutzle, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Switch, The-Dream, and others. The album features a lead guest appearance from André 3000 of Outkast. Following a career hiatus, Beyoncé conceived "4" as a record rooted in traditional rhythm and blues, with a sound that contrasted with contemporary popular music. "4" was her first album after ending her professional relationship with her father and manager Mathew Knowles. It was intended as an intimate record that departed from the more commercially oriented approach of her earlier releases. Collaborations with songwriters and producers such as The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, and Shea Taylor contributed to a mellower tone, incorporating influences from 1970s and 1980s funk, hip-hop, and soul. The lyrics explore themes of monogamy, female empowerment, and self-reflection, reflecting Beyoncé’s focus on a more mature artistic message. The album was promoted through television appearances, festival performances, and a headlining set at the Glastonbury Festival in mid-2011. "4" received generally positive reviews from music critics, and several publications included it in their year-end lists. In the United States, it became Beyoncé’s first album to spend multiple