There’s no turning back now. Beyonce and Columbia records execs are bracing for a big bomb, according to the NY Post’s Page Six.
I told you earlier that my source at Columbia Records indicated Beyonce’s upcoming album, 4, would be pushed back for “retooling”. But following a series of “emergency” meetings in New York, the decision was made (by Jay Z and Bey) to release the record on schedule on June 28.
My source said Jay Z, who A&R’d the album, takes it as a personal insult that Columbia execs are questioning his decisions. “[Jay Z] and his boys are A&R’ing Beyoncé but they’re not doing a great job at it. This has been the worst rollout I’ve ever seen on Beyoncé,” said my source.
According to Page Six’s sources, Columbia Records executives fear Beyoncé’s new album, “4,” could be a dud after she refused to return to the studio to re-record new tracks. This, despite the fact that Beyonce initially recorded 72 songs for the project. My confidential source told me that top level execs at Sony are all in agreement: “This is the worst Beyonce album ever.”
“They’re very nervous about Beyoncé’s new record,” an industry insider told Page Six. “It doesn’t have the hit songs that her fans are used to. They asked her to make changes, but she said no.”
Bracing for the worst, Columbia suits are strategizing in case of slower sales and have had “quiet discussions” about the reunion of Destiny’s Child.
“Beyoncé’s career has stalled a bit,” a source told us. “Columbia seems to think they can get some mileage out of a comeback record with all of the girls.” Another source tells us Destiny’s Child could start recording together as early as October, with a suggested album title “Family Reunion.”
