Beyoncé may have declared Sasha Fierce dead, but the pop diva reached back to her wild side for Complex magazine’s sexy August/September 2011 cover. In a feature titled “Mighty Fly,” the pop diva whips her hair and strikes a series of strong poses in a bevy of pieces from designers including Yigal Azrouël, Armani Privé and Delfina Delettrez. While Beyoncé has been more subdued in her TV interviews, photographer Thierry Le Gouès, artist Ebon Heath and stylists Matthew Henson and Peju Fajumore captured her onstage essence: sexy, fun and strong.

Bey also showed more of her true colors in the cover story and opened up about her rumored rivals, her husband Jay-Z’s talent and how Kanye made her cry.

On the rumored feuds with other pop stars:
Bey doesn’t fret too much over the drama—even if you can tell the question irks her, simply in the asking. “There is room on this earth for many queens. I have an authentic, God-given talent, drive and longevity that will always separate me from everyone else. I’ve been fortunate to accomplish things that the younger generation of queens dream of accomplishing. I have no desire for anyone else’s throne. I am very comfortable in the throne I’ve been building for the past 15 years.”

On working with Kanye again and him moving her to tears:

“The fact that he’s belting out his pain, his confusion and his anger, with no pre-written lyrics, was so moving,” she says. “He’s singing his heart out for five minutes. He is so vulnerable. I love when an artist can be so honest.”

On her hubby’s talent:
“Jay’s music is more than music. His lyrics have fathered generations. All that he has overcome gives millions so much hope. There are moments when I see his lips moving and I can see lyrics floating above his head and I think, ‘Wow! How did I get so lucky to be able to witness this level of genius so closely?’”

On how she handles tough days:

“I only allow myself one day to feel sorry for myself. People who complain really get on my nerves. When I’m not feeling my best, I ask myself, ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.”

On the inspiration for 4:
“Figuring out a way to get R&B back on the radio is challenging. Everything sounds the same on the radio. With 4 I tried to mix R&B from the ’70s and the ’90s with rock ‘n’ roll and a lot of horns to create something new and exciting. I wanted musical changes, bridges, vibrata, live instrumentation and classic songwriting.”

The magazine hits stands August 9.

(Photo: Complex, August/September 2011)