Beyoncé producer learned of new album 90 minutes before release

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Beyonce's new album was so secret, one of its producers only knew of its release 90 minutes before it dropped...

Adam Howard

Dec 18, 2013

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Beyonce’s new album was so secret, one of its producers only knew of its release 90 minutes before it dropped.

Beyonce released her self-titled album in surprise form last week. Ryan Tedder produced the single “XO,” and he learned about the release not long before it went public.

“I knew 90 minutes before it dropped. Ninety minutes. And I said nothing because I love Beyonce and I don’t want her to hate me,” Tedder said in an interview Tuesday.

“I heard a rumor and then I didn’t say anything. I told my wife, ‘I think Beyonce’s album is dropping in 90 minutes,’ and then I knew that ‘XO’ was on the album,” he said. “I knew it was a single. I didn’t know if it was first or second. I didn’t know anything, and then today I found out that it was the lead.”

The OneRepublic frontman made the comments at the season finale of the NBC singing competition “The Voice,” where his band performed.

In just three days, “Beyonce” sold more than 617,000 units on the U.S. iTunes Store, where it was released exclusively. The album also features collaborations with Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Miguel, Timbaland, Pharrell and Frank Ocean. Tedder previously produced Beyonce’s Grammy-winning hit “Halo.”

The 34-year-old Tedder, who has also produced for Adele and Maroon 5, said he’s not surprised by the R&B star’s success — especially after seeing her live show.

“Me and my whole band, who are just complete skeptics and like, you know, a bit snobby, we just sat there going …” said Tedder, dropping his jaw. “Like somehow we have to step our game up and be more like Beyonce.”

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