Diva (Beyoncé song)

"Diva"
Song
A-side	"Halo"

"Diva" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. Bangladesh, Sean Garrett and Knowles wrote and produced it for her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce. It was released as the album's third single in the United States.

Background

There are many similarities between Beyonce's "Diva" and the song "A Milli" by Lil Wayne. This is due to the fact that both are produced by Bangladesh. In an interview with MySpace, Knowles was asked if she agrees that "Diva" is a woman's equivalent to "A Milli". Knowles replied "It is, in a way....it wasn't consciously."

Critical reception

Critical reception has been mixed. Entertainment Weekly magazine states, "'Diva', with its metallic kick drum and sly vocal stutters, carries itself like the feminine companion to Lil Wayne's hypnotic summer hit 'A Milli'", while Allmusic notes, "'Diva', a variation on Lil Wayne's "A Milli", is the only track that could go toe to toe with the likes of... "Freakum Dress" or "Ring the Alarm" at least in terms of audacity.". British newspaper The Guardian, reviewed the song negatively, stating, "The sonic trickery on the most experimental track, Diva, isn't interesting enough to distract you from the absence of a tune."

Chart performance

Initially, the song charted on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at number five. On the chart week of December 24, 2008, the song debuted on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart at number ninety-six, and has peaked at number nineteen, becoming Knowles' twelfth top twenty single on the Hot 100 as a solo artist, and her sixteenth overall (not counting Destiny's Child, but including collaborations with other artists). The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play, giving Knowles her ninth number one on the chart.

Even though the song was only released in the U.S., it still managed to chart in other other countries; in Australia, the song debuted at number forty-seven and has so far peaked at number forty. In New Zealand, "Diva" debuted at number thirty-two, jumping to number twenty-six the following week.

"Diva" garnered some attention in the United Kingdom, appearing within the top ten of new and upcoming releases of British music video channels. It rose from number 173 to number 72 on the UK Singles Chart on May 17, 2009 on downloads alone. "Diva" was never a single in the UK with "Sweet Dreams" being called the next UK single, following Halo, however, it peaked at 72. It is to date Knowles' only top 100 hit in the UK with a position outside of the top 30.

Music video

The music video for "Diva" was shot in late November and was directed by Melina Matsoukas, who worked with Knowles for several music videos. The music video premiered on iTunes on December 23, simultaneously with the "Halo" video. The music video is thematically similar to the music video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" in that the video is in black and white, and that Knowles dons her alter ego Sasha Fierce's metal glove and performs choreography with two back-up dancers with more formal leotards. Knowles wears a Gareth Pugh design in the music video as well as a couple of vintage Thierry Mugler Haute Couture pieces like a leather bodice and a reptilia inspired gown.

The video begins with a dictionary description of the word "diva", before cutting to a parking lot outside of a warehouse. Knowles, wearing a pair of "dangle shades", walks past a car full of mannequin parts into the warehouse. From here, she is accompanied by her two dancers and a variety of high fashion outfits. In one scene, Beyoncé is seen dancing robotically in front of a set of gold-tinted mannequins; while in another, she dances against a wall with two large chains hanging from the ceiling. At the end of the song, Knowles walks back out to the parking lot. She lights up a cigar and throws the lighter into the car, letting it explode. As she walks away, the intro to "Video Phone" (also from I Am… Sasha Fierce) plays. The explosion retains its original fiery colors in contrast with the black and white.

The commercial version of the video ranked at #13 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.

Director's Cut

The director's cut is decidedly different from the commercial version. The opening definition of "diva" has been changed to feature the pronunciation of the word as "bē-yän-sá"; and the accompanying definitions are taken directly from the song's lyrics: "a female version of a hustla", "a woman who is gettin' money", and lastly, "a lady who does NOT allow any other passengers on her plane". Many of the shots with the dancers are exchanged for others featuring Knowles in several extravagant and outlandish haute couture garments, while other shots are taken from different camera angles. This version of the video has the gold tint from the mannequins removed and does not feature "Video Phone" as the car explodes.

Track listing

Digital remix EP

1. "Diva" (Maurice Joshua Extended Mojo Remix) – 6:53
2. "Diva" (Mr. Mig Extended Club Remix) – 7:09
3. "Diva" (Karmatronic Club Remix) – 5:08
4. "Diva" (DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Club) – 6:45
5. "Diva" (Gomi & RasJek Club Mix) – 7:27
6. "Diva" (Redtop Club Mix) – 6:34
7. "Diva" (Jeff Barringer Vs. Fingazz Extended Remix) – 7:33
8. "Diva" (Maurice Joshua Mojo Dub) –
9. "Diva" (DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio Dub) –
10. "Diva" (Gomi & RasJek Dub) –

Charts and sales

Chart (2009)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	40
Irish Singles Chart	50
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart	26
UK Singles Chart	72
UK R&B Chart	22
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	19
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	3
U.S. Billboard Pop 100	39
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	1

Certifications

Region (provider)	Certification (sales thresholds)
United States (RIAA)	Gold

External links

• Beyoncé official website
• Beyoncé's official MySpace