Beyoncé dedicates Renaissance album to her gay Uncle Jonny
"He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album."
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Beyoncé and Twitter/@Beyonce
Beyoncé has dedicated her new album (out today!) to her Uncle Jonny, who was gay.
In a message posted to the singer’s website to mark the release of Renaissance the ‘Break My Soul’ singer paid tribute to the man and explained that the album was part of a three-act project that she has been working on for three years.
After thanking her “husband and muse”, Jay-Z, Beyoncé writes: “A big thank you to my Uncle Jonny. He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album.”
She’s previously honoured her uncle who passed away from HIV-related illnesses before at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards calling Jonny “the most fabulous gay man I’ve ever known”.
She also said that “witnessing his battle with HIV was one of the most painful experiences I’ve ever lived. I’m hopeful that his struggles serve to open pathways for other young people to live more freely. LGBTQI rights are human rights.”
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In her post about Renaissance she also wrote: “Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long. This is a celebration for you.”
The ‘Single Ladies’ singer also thanked her family, producers, and fans.
Renaissance is available to stream now.
The Attitude September/October issue is available to download and order in print now and will be on newsstands from Thursday 4 August.
