What's It Gonna Be (Beyoncé song)

Release history and editions

The track first appeared on region- and retailer-specific packages: it was included on a Japanese edition of the album (Japanese edition), surfaced on the bonus CD that accompanied Beyoncé's single releases, and later was included in special retailer versions of Destiny's Child material. A live/DVD era release also carried the song as part of bonus content linked to the Destiny's Child catalog.

Promotional formats and track pairings

Promotion for the song used physical collectors' formats. A 7" promotional single combined several versions of "What's It Gonna Be" (different mixes or edits) with alternate tracks by other artists. On that release, three versions of the Beyoncé recording were coupled with three versions of Faith Evans' cover of Donna Summer's classic "Heaven Knows," a recording tied to the soundtrack for the film The Fighting Temptations. The Faith Evans material appears credited in some promotional packages and links the single to broader soundtrack promotion involving Faith Evans and the legacy of Donna Summer.

Context and musical era

Although not a centerpiece of Beyoncé's studio discography, the song belongs to her early solo period when she was transitioning from group member to solo star. Artists and labels commonly use bonus tracks and retailer exclusives to offer fans extra material and to incentivize purchases in specific markets; "What's It Gonna Be" is an example of that practice during the 2003–2004 album cycle.

Uses and notable facts

Beyond physical releases, the song was licensed for commercial use and appears in promotional campaigns. Notably, it was used in advertisements featuring Beyoncé for the cosmetics company L'Oréal, helping it reach a broader audience despite its limited release footprint. Because it circulated mainly through exclusives and promos, the track is often described as a collectible item for fans and collectors of early Beyoncé material.

Where to find it

• Special editions of Dangerously in Love sold in select regions.
• Bonus discs packaged with live DVD releases and retailer-exclusive versions of Destiny Fulfilled.
• Promotional 7" singles that paired the track with material from the The Fighting Temptations soundtrack.

Because its distribution was limited, the song may not appear on every streaming or reissue compilation; collectors often look to secondhand physical releases or official re-releases to obtain it.