Beyoncé's surprise release of her fifth studio album, which features 14 songs and 17 videos on iTunes, has been referred to in at least 1.2 million tweets, a Twitter spokesperson told Mashable.
Without any promotional marketing, the self-titled "visual album" debuted to much fanfare because of its unconventional release, elaborate music videos and emotional songs.
See also: Beyonce Surprises Us All With a New Album
The stunt, at its peak on Twitter, sparked more than 5,300 tweets per minute — higher than the previous record set by the hubbub around Syfy's Sharknado (5,000 TPM). For further comparison, NBC's Sound of Music Live! netted 449,540 tweets during the three-hour show.
The song "Blue" featuring Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy, attracted the most attention, according to Twitter. The top five most-tweeted songs, as of 2 p.m. ET, were: 1. "Blue"; 2. "Mine"; 3. "Drunk in Love"; 4. "Flawless"; and 5. "Partition".
Among the flurry of tweets were many from her fellow pop stars and celebrities:
I think beyonce just broke the Internet
— Pete Wentz (@petewentz) December 13, 2013
Don't talk to me today unless it's about @Beyonce THANX
— Katy Perry (@katyperry) December 13, 2013
So my sister is a fucking G. Beyoncé , the visual album out now.
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) December 13, 2013
Every Song = EPIC Every Video = EPIC & its SEXXXY as HELLLLL!!! @Beyonce!!!
— LA LA (@lala) December 13, 2013
Y'all alright? #theslayage #beyonce #nitenite
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) December 13, 2013
HOW IS ANYONE NOT TWEETING ABOUT #BEYONCE RIGHT NOW?!!?!?
— demetria lovato (@ddlovato) December 13, 2013
BONUS: 30-Second Previews of Each Song's Music Video on Beyoncé's Fifth Album
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Image: YouTube, Beyonce