I just went on a binge of Bey's Vevo account/albums, and the natural growth is astounding.
For all of those haters that keep saying she has copied the edginess of others... seriously take a look at her catalogue.

For example,
Formation is a combination of Deja Vu and Run The World (Girls) both sonically and visually.
Don't Hurt Yourself? Ring The Alarm and That's Why You're Beautiful.
Hold Up? Baby Boy/Standing on The Sun/Countdown.
Grown Woman? End Of Time.
Pray You Catch Me? Heaven.
Schoolin Life/Lay Up Under Me? Why Don't You Love Me.
Blow? Kitty Kat.