Beyonce performs on stage during "The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour" at Staples Center on December 3, in Los Angeles. She surprised fans by dropping her fifth LP, entitled "Beyonce," exclusively on iTunes with no advance notice. Here is a look back at her life and career: 
In 1998, Beyoncé was known simply as another member of Destiny's Child, a four-member girl group who released a self-titled debut that year and had a breakthrough with the remix of their single "No, No, No, No." 
Seen here with the final version of the group that put her on the map, Destiny's Child, Beyoncé performs with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for President-elect George W. Bush during a pre-inaugural event in Washington on January 19, 2001. 
When Beyoncé took the stage in Melbourne on April 29, 2002, she was just a year away from releasing her first solo album, "Dangerously In Love." 
Back in November 2002, before they tied the knot, Jay-Z and Beyoncé fueled rumors that they were dating by becoming musical collaborators. Bey appeared on Jay-Z's 2002 single, "03 Bonnie & Clyde," and he appeared on her single "Crazy In Love" the following summer. 
A decade before she wowed viewers at the 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Bey jammed with Carlos Santana during the Super Bowl XXXVII Pregame Show in San Diego on January 26, 2003. 
Having stepped out on her own, Beyoncé presents the humanitarian award to Michael Jackson at the 2003 Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas on October 27, 2003. 
The singer is affectionately referred to as Queen Bey, not in the least because of her heralded work ethic, which is often put to good use on stage. Here, she performs during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards in New York on August 28, 2003. 
Beyoncé was right back at the Super Bowl in 2004, as she performed the the national anthem to kick off Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 1 of that year. 
At the 46th Grammy Awards Show in February 2004, she joined Prince on stage to perform a medley of his hits. The singer left the ceremony with five Grammys in hand. 
Although her solo career had taken off by 2005, Beyoncé still performed with Destiny's Child that year in Sydney, Australia on the heels of their 2004 album, "Destiny Fulfilled." 
After releasing another best-seller with 2006's "B'Day" and starring in "Dreamgirls" that same year, Beyoncé was readying to release a third solo album, "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" when she took the stage at the 50th Grammy Awards Show on February 10, 2008. Somehow, she snuck in a secret marriage to Jay-Z that April. 
In this publicity image Beyonce Knowles is shown during the filming of her music video "Single Ladies (Put A Ring on It)." 
Just months after giving birth, Beyoncé was red carpet ready at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on May 7, 2012. 
In 2011, Beyoncé stole the show at the MTV Video Music Awards when she walked the red carpet and, with the careful placement of her hands, revealed that she was expecting. The star and husband Jay welcomed Blue Ivy in January 2012. 
In this undated image released by Beyonce.com, Beyonce Knowles holds her daughter Blue Ivy in a recent family photo. A hand-written note accompanying the photos reads, "We welcome you to share our joy." 
In April 2012, Bey stepped out for a stroll in New York with her daughter, 4 months old at the time. 
Earlier this year, Beyoncé found herself at the center a firestorm after it was revealed she used a "backup track" to sing the national anthem at the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 21. 
After the inauguration dust-up, Beyoncé had something to prove when she held a news conference for her Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show on January 31. After belting out "The Star-Spangled Banner," the singer paused and turned to the press and asked: "Any questions?" 
Kelly Rowland, Beyonce Knowles and Michelle Williams reunited as Destiny's Child to perform during the Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show on February 3, in New Orleans. 
In March, the singer reveled in her "Queen Bey" image with the song "Bow Down." 
In early April, the singer and her husband were once again the subject of critical headlines when they took a trip to Cuba to celebrate their fifth anniversary. 
In early May, Beyoncé was the subject of pregnancy rumors as observers noted that her dress to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala conveniently covered her midsection. The speculation grew stronger after she had to cancel a concert due to exhaustion and dehydration. She denied that she was pregnant. 
In September 2013, Jay-Z and Beyoncé once again topped the Forbes list of biggest-earning celebrity couples. 
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- Music producer Teddy Riley says Beyonce surprise release method sets new standard
- The industry had used a traditional formula for new releases
- Riley: Beyonce, however, just proved she is not afraid to try new things
Editor's note: Teddy Riley is a Grammy Award-winning producer, composer, recording artist. He has produced artists from Whitney Houston to Michael Jackson, with whom he co-wrote hits "Remember the Time" and "Jam." He created the new group BS2 Ft. Dave Hollister and just released their single "I Luv Her My Christmas Girl."
(CNN) -- The game just changed. And Beyonce just changed it.
The music industry has a track record knowing how to market the extremely prolific, gifted, inspiring, highly-credited icons. They've done it for years.
There's a formula: Put out a single on the radio first, then blanket the market with promotion, then schedule a big release party.
Sure, there are the legends who have created their own vine, their sonic signature sound,their own untraceable music landscapes -- The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson.
For those icons, the rules -- and techniques -- are a bit different. But none of them tried what Mrs. Carter just pulled off.
When Beyonce surprised the entire music industry this month by releasing her latest album, "Beyonce," only on iTunes first -- with no warning, no other promotion, no launch parties, no advance radio play, none of the traditional pre-sale retail hype -- she showed how only a true star can break this industry glass ceiling. When it comes to business savvy, she just joined the lists of the greats.
Related: Beyonce's secret album set to debut at No. 1
The album quickly became the No.1 seller on iTunes, moving more than 1 million copies worldwide in just its first week. And, at the same time, she also released 17 full-fledged music videos.
Beyoncé surprises holiday shoppers 
Beyonce's new 'no promotion' marketing 
Beyonce and The Beatles big surprise 
Beyonce releases surprise album online This was no stunt. It was a smart and honest way to let the fans decide for themselves if they wanted the LP without major promotion and publicity. And, by announcing it first on Instagram to her millions of followers, it was a masterful nod to her true, loyal fans -- and they have responded in kind.
No one in the music industry could have pulled this off except Beyonce. Her global fans follow her 24/7 online, on the air and on social media. And, like Michael Jackson, her stardom keeps fans anticipating her next song, her next dance move, her next fashion statement and her next signature on the dotted line.
And she reset the retail music business, too. It didn't matter if retailers like Target -- who just announced their plans -- decided not to sell the LP that hit retail outlets Friday because it was released on iTunes first. Other outlets, such as Walmart (where Beyonce made a surprise appearance), have stepped up and will sell out before they can order their next shipment. Target's loss, Walmart's gain.
Related: Beyonce's surprise album: What's the verdict?
Beyonce is unique. She has shown that she is not afraid to try new things to reach greater heights, to change the game.
I am curious and excited to see what she will do next. As I've noticed on iTunes, this is just Part 1.
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The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Teddy Riley.
