Was it generally a risky project? Yes. She came out of nowhere again and many of y'all claimed a 2nd suprise release would backfire. This + the pro-black message = risky.
Was it risky with regards to Bey? No, because she never fails and we all know it.
I don't see how Lemonade is risky. It's the same electro r&b thats been in mainstream for a while now
sounds more industrial, to me.. lots of "raw" live instrumentation, rock-influenced metallic, brassy tinged elements.. BEYONCE was a lot more "electro" ..