Beyonce Premieres Intimate ‘Year of 4′ Documentary

Beyonce premiered her documentary 'Beyonce: Year of 4' on MTV Thursday Night (June 30), offering fans a rare glimpse into her private life and the artistic journey she took over the past year, while preparing the release of her new album, '4.'

The film is an intimate opportunity to view the heavily-guarded singer's personal side, as she attempts to "decompress" from her relentless career, with footage of the former Destiny's Child star from as far away as the Great Wall of China and as close as her childhood home, culminating with the release of her new record.

The 29-year-old queen of pop-R&B introduces the documentary with on a peaceful note, ruminating on her love of the ocean. "I'm always happy when I'm surrounded by water," she narrates meditatively. "I think I'm a mermaid or I was a mermaid. The ocean makes me feel really small, and it puts my whole life into perspective... It humbles you and it grounds you and it makes me feel almost like I've been baptized. Am I the same Beyonce? Absolutely not."

The doc then shifts to show time, depicting B's exhausting routine of video shoots, rehearsals and travel, as she finishes and prepares to release her new album, including behind-the-scenes footage of the singer in the studio with her husband Jay-Z, and shooting the video for "Run the World (Girls)."

"I am a workaholic and I don't believe in 'no.' I don't believe in 'I need to sleep.' If I'm not sleeping, nobody's sleeping," the tireless diva explains. "I'm one human being. It's a lot. If I want to be a businesswoman, I'm a businesswoman. Independence is not easy."

Taking fans through Beyonce's whirlwind lifestyle in preparation for the release of her fourth album, 'Year of 4,' ends just as it began, with Beyonce swimming, reflecting, growing as a person, while taking a break from being an artist, if only for a moment.

"I'm learning to drown out the noise. I only have to follow my heart. I run my world."

Watch 'Beyonce: Year of 4' here. Her new album '4' hit shelves on June 24.