COWBOY CARTER is slated for release everywhere next Friday, March 29th.
Much has been made about Beyoncé “going country,” and she shared the album cover, along with a lengthy post on Instagram, addressing the purpose of, and inspiration for, her forthcoming project.
The pop/R&B superstar has already made country history with the standout pre-released single “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which became Beyoncé’s first #1 hit in country music when it debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart – the first time a black female artist has debuted at #1 on that chart. It also already topped the Billboard Hot 100 all-genre chart.
She touched on that impressive statistic, saying that her hope is “that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.”
Bey also added that she did a deep dive into the history of country music, and she implied that she has embraced being put in the country category despite “the criticisms when I first entered,” though she also noted that COWBOY BARTER is not a decidedly country album outright, but rather it’s a “Beyoncé album.”
In addition, Bey noted that there will be collaborations with “some brilliant artists” that she loves and admires, which leads me to believe there may potentially even be a Dolly Parton feature on “Jolene.” And I don’t know why, because there really haven’t been any hints, but for some reason I could see her working with Kacey Musgraves, too.
You can read the post in-full below, which also features the album cover:
“Today marks the 10-day countdown until the release of act ii. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the supporters of TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES. I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you. My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.
This album has been over five years in the making. 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. But, because of that experience, 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.
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.
I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect. I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound.
I focused on this album as a continuation of RENAISSANCE…I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning and never stop.
This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!”
Personally, I’m looking forward to hearing it next Friday, and clearly from this post, I don’t think Beyoncé thinks that she is, or is trying to be, the next Loretta Lynn and reinvent country music.
For all intents and purposes, it’s a country-inspired album, and judging by the numbers, people are already loving it.
“Texas Hold ‘Em”
“16 Carriages”
