Beyonce’s ‘4’ to Be Released June 28

With the release date for Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' (finally) happening this coming Monday, May 23, it clears the decks and makes room for another diva (and onetime Gaga collaborator) Beyonce to release her new album, '4.' Columbia Records, her longtime label, announced that '4' will be released on June 28th.

As its title indicates, '4' is  Mrs. Shawn Carter's fourth solo album. Beyonce recorded it over a year's time, between the spring of 2009 and spring of 2010, while she avoided the spotlight. She listened to as much music as possible and engaged in simple things. The emotions and situations she experienced during that time will no doubt rear their heads on the album's tracks.

The title '4' is not just emblematic of the number of solo platters Beyonce (aka Sasha Fierce) has released. It's also her the day of her birth (she was born in September, making her a Virgo!) and it's also a gift to fans. Beyonce diehards had been congregating via social media platforms for the past year, asking that she name the album after the special, symbolic digit.

The first single is 'Run the World (Girls),' the video of which debuted on 'American Idol' last night; Beyonce was the episode's mentor, warmly dispensing advice to the final three contestants. The clip is full of exotic women, 200 dancers and rare animals.

Watch the 'Run the World (Girls)' Video