Uncle Jonny: 5 Things to Know About Beyonce's Gay Uncle Who Inspired 'Renaissance'

Beyoncé's high-profile new album Renaissance is certainly a star-studded project, featuring talents such as Grace Jones. rapper Beam, Tems and of course guest vocalist Big Freedia. But amid all the publicity, there's a recently announced major inspiration behind the album, and it comes in the form of the singer's gay uncle, Jonny, who died of complications from HIV.

"A big thank you to my uncle Jonny," Beyonce wrote via her official website on Thursday, July 28. "He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that inspires this album. Thank you to all the pioneers who started the culture, to all the fallen angels whose contributions are gone unrecognized for too long. It's a party for you."

Beyonce's poignant post included two photos; one of Bey with her three sleeping children