Renaissance: Learn “Big Energy” & More Words With Beyoncé

Your favorite Virgo is back and she is back with a bang. If you’re feeling a not-so-hot-girl-summer, then time to put on Beyoncé’s new album on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or any listening platform you like. This sticky and sweaty catalog of silky vocals will have you voguing in the moonlight, sunlight, or any LED type of flashlight.

Renaissance, also known as Act I: Renaissance, is Beyoncé's seventh studio album and the first part of a trilogy project. The album is composed of 16 electrifying tracks that are just pure dancefloor energy madness laced with the beauty and diversity of Black queer and trans creative culture. In this album, Beyoncé leads her audience on a historical field trip of post-1970s Black dance music, celebrating decades of samples and sounds that pay tribute to the art of Black LGBTQ+ community and Black musical legends. Beyoncé shows respect to past classics by referencing and crediting them: Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”, Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy”, Kevin Aviance’s “Cunty”, Moi Renee’s “Miss Honey”, MikeQ’s “Feels Like”, The Clark Sisters’ “Center of Thy Will”, Teena Marie’s “Ooh La La La", Foremost Poets’ “Moonraker”, and many many more, honey (about 100,000 credits to be specific).

Across the floor, this album is a 10, 10, 10. This swirling and swaggering project by Bey, which features a long list of samples and credits, not only makes for a terrific soundtrack for an eclectic summer, but it also demonstrates the musical influence of Black culture across time. Let’s not forget that learning about the richness of Black culture helps us understand and appreciate its huge contributions around the world.

With its euphoric feels and heartache hints, music is an intoxicating way to learn more about Black culture, Black artists, and Black language. So, ready to start this popping party that will make you feel like an Alien Superstar? Check out these 16 Beyoncé approved phrases that will have you strutting and sashaying away like the star that you are.

1. Beastin’ (I’M THAT GIRL)

Meaning – to be very good at something

Sentence – Bey is beasting this album.

YouTube / Beyoncé

2. Swaggy (COZY)

Meaning – a way to describe someone who is stylish and confident

Sentence – You are looking swaggy today.

YouTube / Beyoncé

3. Casanova (ALIEN SUPERSTAR)

Meaning – a man known for having a lot many lovers

Sentence – He is cute but he is a Casanova.

YouTube / Beyoncé

4. Roll call (CUFF IT)

Meaning – to call the names on a list out loud

Sentence – Before the bus leaves, the teacher would like to make a roll call.

YouTube / Beyoncé

5. Big energy (ENERGY)

Meaning – to radiate confidence that everyone can feel

Sentence – They are giving big energy, you can just feel it.

YouTube / Beyoncé

6. Round in circles (BREAK MY SOUL)

Meaning – to keep doing or saying the same thing

Sentence – Their conversation is just going round in circles this time.

YouTube / Beyoncé

7. Cried fountains (CHURCH GIRL)

Meaning – to cry a lot

Sentence – Not sure is happening, but she is crying fountains.

YouTube / Beyoncé

8. Wear your emotions on (both of) your sleeve(s) (PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA)

Meaning – to show emotions or feelings in an open and honest way

Sentence – My mom always tells me that it’s okay to wear my emotions on my sleeve.

YouTube / Beyoncé

9. Iced up (VIRGO’S GROOVE)

Meaning – to be covered in diamonds

Sentence – They will both be iced up on their wedding day.

YouTube / Beyoncé

10. Skrrrt (MOVE)

Meaning – to leave fast

Sentence – I think it is time to skrrrt out of here before they catch us leaving.

YouTube / Beyoncé

11. Testing my patience (HEATED)

Meaning – to irritate someone to see how much they can take

Sentence – Please, don’t test my patience.

YouTube / Beyoncé

12. Alkaline wrist (THIQUE)

Meaning – another way to call a bracelet

Sentence – See her alkaline wrist? She bought that herself.

YouTube / Beyoncé

13. Those three words (ALL UP IN YOUR MIND)

Meaning – an idiomatic expression referring to the phrase “I Love You”

Sentence – So sweet, he’s sweating because he’s about to tell her those three words.

YouTube / Beyoncé

14. Schemin’ (AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM)

Meaning – to make a secret plan

Sentence – I think they are scheming the fall of her social reputation.

YouTube / Beyoncé

15. Bisous (PURE/HONEY)

Meaning – a French word that means kisses

Sentence – Before you leave, don’t forget to give your mom a bisous.

YouTube / Beyoncé

16. Gonna spouse you (SUMMER RENAISSANCE)

Meaning – to make you someone’s partner

Sentence – She is gonna spouse her, so she is going ring shopping this afternoon.

YouTube / Beyoncé

Learn English