Beyonce Vs. Her Alter-Ego Sasha: Videos From Two-Part "I Am" Album Hit the Net

Beyoncé had a busy weekend, revealing a pair of new videos and more details from her November 18th album I Am. The LP is rumored to be a double-disc album featuring two distinct styles. "I Am Beyoncé" will reportedly feature the more introspective mid-tempo songs and ballads, while Disc Two, dubbed "I Am Sasha," features the more aggressive dance numbers. The split is showcased in two new black-and-white videos — "Single Ladies" from the more mischievous "Sasha" disc (above) and "If I Were a Boy" via the "Beyoncé" half (after the jump).

"Sasha" is short for B's longtime alter ego "Sasha Fierce," and a pair of viral sites emerged over the weekend — "Who is Sasha Fierce?" lists a phone number to join the Sasha Fierce Mobile Mob. Beyoncé first began discussing Sasha publicly in 2005, when she told Vanity Fair that was the name of her more outrageous stage persona. She also blamed Sasha for taking over her 2004 Grammy performance with Prince.

Related Stories:
• Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" Makes Radio Debut
• Beyonce Talks New Album in Letter to Fans: "I Have Taken Risks Here"

• 
  MUSIC The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments
• 
  MOVIES & TV 'Game of Thrones': The Show Vs. the Books
• 
  POLITICS Matt Taibbi: Facebook IPO vs. Shareholders
• 
  VIDEOS Exclusive: Garbage Rip Through 'I Think I'm Paranoid'

Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter