Beyoncé Releases New Album ‘Cowboy Carter’ | LISTEN HERE!
Cowboy Carter has just made his grand entrance into town! Beyoncé and her inaugural country album has finally landed, boasting tone-setting singles like “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” alongside a star-studded lineup of country collaborators, including legends such as Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.
This monumental album signifies the next chapter in Beyoncé‘s three-act trilogy, which began with Renaissance in 2022. The era commenced during the 2024 Super Bowl in February, where Beyoncé made a rare promotional appearance in a Verizon commercial, followed by the surprise release of both lead singles. Despite the album’s swift arrival, Beyoncé has been meticulously crafting Cowboy Carter for years.
Beyoncé’s history with country runs deep, but this project in particular was largely rooted in her experience feeling shut out of the genre. “This album has been over five years in the making,” the musician shared in a statement ahead of the album’s arrival. “It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed … and it was very clear that I wasn’t.” She was seemingly addressing the backlash to her appearance with the Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards, where she performed the country deep cut “Daddy Lessons” from Lemonade.
The performance ignited outrage in Nashville and sparked controversial discussions about Beyoncé’s position in country music as a Black woman. However, throughout Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé sheds light on the rich history of country music, subtly reminding listeners that it is undeniably rooted in Black culture. One noteworthy track on the album, “The Linda Martell Show,” focuses on the pioneering achievements of the first Black female solo artist to grace the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Despite facing racism from both audiences and industry executives, Martell’s promising country career was tragically hindered and ultimately cut short.
“I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history,” Beyoncé wrote. “The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. Act II is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
What did you think of the new album, ‘Cowboy Carter’? Stay tuned to MusicOnTheRox.com for all your music news and reviews.