Practically a national holiday, today marks Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter’s 35th year on earth. The reigning queen of our generation, Bey doesn’t go a blink without inspiring, surprising and entertaining us in one form or another. We couldn’t possibly count all of the cues we’ve taken from her – aka, keep hot sauce in your bag, have your freakkum dress on standby, etc. – but ahead, we bring you five of the crucial ones. Take notes and spend your Sunday dancing shamelessly to the diva’s discography (as if you needed any excuse).
1. Break Convention
From spearheading the trend of a surprise album with her self-titled Beyonce, to creating a stunning visual experience with Lemonade (which she also dropped abruptly) and always assuming the most incredible costumes, Beyonce is constantly finding new ways to make her mark.
2. Speak Your Mind
Beyonce uses her powerhouse influence to shed light on political and social issues, whether through song lyrics, music videos or bold, touching gestures, like inviting the mothers of police violence victims as her dates to the VMAs. We bow down.
3. Keep Them Guessing
Bey knows the effectiveness of allure, as demonstrated in her under wraps wedding to Jay-Z, pregnancy announcement at the 2011 VMAS (which holds the Guiness World Book of Records Title for "most tweets per second"), surprise record releases, secret Snapchat account and song lyrics ("He better call Becky with the good hair."). As such, we are always on our toes for her next move.
4. Appoint Friends In High Places
Specifically, the President and First Lady. Bey and Jay's close public friendship with the Obamas is the envy of everyone, everywhere.
5. Make The Best Of A Bad Situation
The classic adage "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," owes its rebirth to Beyonce who built her album Lemonade around the statement. (Psst: As a reverse birthday gift to us, she released the video for "Hold Up" on YouTube today).
