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'''''Cowboy Carter''''' (also referred to as '''''Act II: Cowboy Carter''''' or simply '''''Act II'''''<ref>{{Cite instagram |author=Beyoncé|user=beyonce|author-link=Beyoncé|date=March 19, 2024 |title=act ii COWBOY CARTER 3.29|postid=C4s6Zr7rlwA|access-date=2024-03-19 |link=https://www.instagram.com/p/C4s6Zr7rlwA/}}</ref>) is the upcoming eighth studio album by American singer [[Beyoncé]], scheduled to be released on March 29, 2024, via [[Parkwood Entertainment]] and [[Columbia Records]]. A record influenced by [[country music]], it is the second installment of [[Beyoncé's three-act project|Beyoncé's trilogy project]] conceived during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], following ''[[Renaissance (Beyoncé album)|Renaissance]]'' (2022).
'''''Cowboy Carter''''' (also referred to as '''''Act II: Cowboy Carter''''' or simply '''''Act II'''''<ref>{{Cite instagram |author=Beyoncé|user=beyonce|author-link=Beyoncé|date=March 19, 2024 |title=act ii COWBOY CARTER 3.29|postid=C4s6Zr7rlwA|access-date=2024-03-19 |link=https://www.instagram.com/p/C4s6Zr7rlwA/}}</ref>) is the upcoming eighth studio album by American singer [[Beyoncé]], scheduled to be released on March 29, 2024, via [[Parkwood Entertainment]] and [[Columbia Records]]. A record influenced by [[country music]], it is the second installment of [[Beyoncé's three-act project|Beyoncé's trilogy project]] conceived during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], following ''[[Renaissance (Beyoncé album)|Renaissance]]'' (2022).


The album was announced on February 11, 2024 on the singer's social media, following a teaser in a [[Verizon]] commercial aired during [[Super Bowl LVIII]] that starred Beyoncé and actor [[Tony Hale]]. Beyoncé also announced the album's release date via social media and simultaneously released the album's dual lead singles, "[[Texas Hold 'Em (song)|Texas Hold 'Em]]" and "[[16 Carriages]]."
The album was announced on February 11, 2024 on the singer's social media, following a teaser in a [[Verizon]] commercial aired during [[Super Bowl LVIII]]. Beyoncé simultaneously released the album's dual lead singles, "[[Texas Hold 'Em (song)|Texas Hold 'Em]]" and "[[16 Carriages]]." The album ignited discussions on Black musicians' place within country music, boosted the listenership of Black country artists and country radio in general, and increased the popularity of [[Western wear]] and [[Western lifestyle|culture]].


==Background==
==Background==
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The album cover was a topic of discussion and dissection by critics. Francesca T Royster, professor at [[DePaul University]] and author of ''Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions'', wrote: "The aesthetic choice is bold and seems to be signaling the ways that Beyoncé is putting herself into conversations about nationalism, a theme very much central to discourses about country music, patriotism and authenticity, from the times of its origins."<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Demopoulos |first=Alaina |date=2024-03-19 |title=Beyoncé's Act II album cover is 'a clapback to being told she doesn't belong in country music' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/19/beyonce-act-ii-album-cover-country-music |access-date=2024-03-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Critics suggested a variety of inspirations and allusions for the cover, including [[Portraits of presidents of the United States|presidential portraits]], [[Jacques-Louis David]]'s ''[[Napoleon Crossing the Alps]]'' (1801–05), [[Marina Abramović]]'s ''The Hero'' (2001),<ref name=":0" /> [[Kehinde Wiley]]'s ''Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson)'' (2009), the [[Bill Pickett]] Invitational Rodeo,<ref name=":2" /> and [[Eadweard Muybridge]]'s ''[[The Horse in Motion]]'' (1878).<ref name=":1" />
The album cover was a topic of discussion and dissection by critics. Francesca T Royster, professor at [[DePaul University]] and author of ''Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions'', wrote: "The aesthetic choice is bold and seems to be signaling the ways that Beyoncé is putting herself into conversations about nationalism, a theme very much central to discourses about country music, patriotism and authenticity, from the times of its origins."<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Demopoulos |first=Alaina |date=2024-03-19 |title=Beyoncé's Act II album cover is 'a clapback to being told she doesn't belong in country music' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/19/beyonce-act-ii-album-cover-country-music |access-date=2024-03-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Critics suggested a variety of inspirations and allusions for the cover, including [[Portraits of presidents of the United States|presidential portraits]], [[Jacques-Louis David]]'s ''[[Napoleon Crossing the Alps]]'' (1801–05), [[Marina Abramović]]'s ''The Hero'' (2001),<ref name=":0" /> [[Kehinde Wiley]]'s ''Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson)'' (2009), the [[Bill Pickett]] Invitational Rodeo,<ref name=":2" /> and [[Eadweard Muybridge]]'s ''[[The Horse in Motion]]'' (1878).<ref name=":1" />


==References==
== Impact ==
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| quote = Beyoncé preserves the best of country past and evolves us into a country future that we have never seen... It's such a full-circle moment for me that I almost want to cry. I wanted to see a Black woman get to the top of the charts, and now I can retire.
| source = —[[Alice Randall]], the first Black woman to write a number-one song on the country charts<ref name="Channel 5">{{cite web|title=Beyoncé's country music success highlights the legacies of past Black musicians=News Channel 5|first=Aaron|last=Cantrell|url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/beyonces-country-music-success-highlights-the-legacies-of-past-black-musicians|date=Feb 21, 2024|access-date=Feb 22, 2024|archive-date=February 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222005156/https://www.newschannel5.com/news/beyonces-country-music-success-highlights-the-legacies-of-past-black-musicians|url-status=live}}</ref>
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}}
=== Black artists in country music ===
With ''Cowboy Carter'', Beyoncé was seen as reclaiming country music and bringing it back to its Black roots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Love |first=David A. |date=2024-02-19 |title=Beyoncé is reclaiming country music for Black America |url=https://thegrio.com/2024/02/19/beyonce-is-reclaiming-country-music-for-black-america/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219122436/https://thegrio.com/2024/02/19/beyonce-is-reclaiming-country-music-for-black-america/ |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=TheGrio |language=en-US}}</ref> It also sparked conversations on the inclusion of Black artists within the country genre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archie |first=Ayana |date=2024-02-21 |title=Beyoncé's 'Texas Hold 'Em' debuts at No. 1 on the country chart |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/21/1232827781/beyonce-texas-hold-em-country-chart |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222103158/https://www.npr.org/2024/02/21/1232827781/beyonce-texas-hold-em-country-chart |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=February 22, 2024 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> The ''[[BBC News|BBC]]''<nowiki/>'s Daisy Woodward wrote that Beyoncé's embrace of country music "galvanises" the reclamation of [[Western lifestyle|western culture]] by those who have felt excluded by it and subverts the traditional image of cowboys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The reinvention of the cowboy hat |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240213-the-reinvention-of-a-loaded-us-symbol |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215111501/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240213-the-reinvention-of-a-loaded-us-symbol |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=www.bbc.com}}</ref> American author and country songwriter [[Alice Randall]], in an interview for ''[[The Washington Post]],'' affirmed that Beyoncé "is spotlighting and building on a profound tradition" which started with ''[[Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music]]'' by [[Ray Charles]], stressing that "[Beyoncé] is going to take it even further if the things she’s already done in country is any indication," even if Charles wasn't prized by the music genre at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kingsberry |first=Janay |date=February 12, 2024 |title=Beyoncé’s new country songs salute the genre’s Black cultural roots |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/02/12/beyonce-country-music-songs-album/ |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> ''[[NBC News]]''<nowiki/>'s Emi Tuyetnhi Tran wrote that the album has the potential to redefine what it means to be a country artist "in the cultural consciousness."<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=Beyoncé tops Billboard country chart with genre debut "Texas Hold ‘Em" |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/beyonce-tops-billboard-country-chart-genre-debut-texas-hold-em-rcna139791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222103158/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/beyonce-tops-billboard-country-chart-genre-debut-texas-hold-em-rcna139791 |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

The album spotlighted Black musicians in the country music space and boosted their listenership''.''<ref name=":13">{{Cite magazine |last=Crumpton |first=Taylor |date=February 14, 2024 |title=Beyoncé Has Always Been Country |url=https://time.com/6694806/beyonce-country-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214165107/https://time.com/6694806/beyonce-country-music/ |archive-date=February 14, 2024 |access-date=February 14, 2024 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref name=":92">{{Cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |last2=Denis |first2=Kyle |last3=Lipshutz |first3=Jason |date=February 22, 2024 |title=Beyoncé’s New Era Is Giving Other Black Women in Country a Big Boost, Too |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-black-female-country-artists-streams-1235612581/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223011710/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-black-female-country-artists-streams-1235612581/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=February 23, 2024 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> Black female country musicians saw a significant increase in streams due to the album, such as [[Reyna Roberts]] (250%), [[Rissi Palmer]] (110%), [[Tanner Adell]] (188%) and [[K. Michelle]] (185%). [[Linda Martell]], the first commercially successful Black female country artist and the first to play the ''Grand Ole Opry'', saw a 275% increase in streams.<ref name=":92" /> Other musicians who saw an increase in demand include [[Adia Victoria]], Amri Unplugged, [[Brittney Spencer]], [[Mickey Guyton]], Rhiannon Giddens, and [[Sacha Visagie|Sacha]]. Black-led country organizations such as the [[Black Opry]] also received a significant increase in followers.<ref name=":13" /> ''[[NPR]]''<nowiki/>'s Amanda Marie Martínez also said that the album has highlighted and boosted the profile of Black country artists. The song, Martínez writes, has revealed the "strong demand" for country music made by Black artists and a "growing community" of Black country fans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martínez |first=Amanda Marie |date=2024-02-17 |title=Beyoncé is getting played on country radio. Could her success help other Black women? |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/17/1232074704/beyonce-country-radio-black-women-musicians |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219122435/https://www.npr.org/2024/02/17/1232074704/beyonce-country-radio-black-women-musicians |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |access-date=February 19, 2024 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> In an article for ''[[The Tennessean|The Nashville Tennessean]]'', Andrea Williams explained how Beyoncé has opened the door for others in country music and proved that Black songwriters, producers, and musicians belong in the genre. Williams wrote that Black people are generally "shut out of country music's creation" and that they "have been waiting for the opportunity to take part in the genre their forefathers helped build, to not be told they’re too urban for Nashville studios." With ''Cowboy Carter'', Williams writes, Beyoncé celebrates Black country musicians, proving they are "country enough" and allowing them to receive their due credit and remuneration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Andrea |date=February 15, 2024 |title=Beyonce's use of Black writers and musicians can open the door for others in country music |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/columnists/2024/02/15/beyonce-country-music-black-creatives-texas-hold-em-16-carriages/72605460007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304080727/https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/columnists/2024/02/15/beyonce-country-music-black-creatives-texas-hold-em-16-carriages/72605460007/ |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |access-date=February 15, 2024 |website=[[The Tennessean]]}}</ref>

=== Popularity and accessibility of country music ===
''Cowboy Carter'' marked a cultural shift for country music and boosted its accessibility to a wider audience, according to ''[[CBS News]]''.<ref name=":72">{{Cite web |last=Dev |first=S. |date=2024-02-21 |title=Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to top country charts with "Texas Hold 'Em" - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyonce-texas-hold-em-first-black-woman-to-top-country-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222103158/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyonce-texas-hold-em-first-black-woman-to-top-country-charts/ |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Artsy |first=Avishay |date=2024-03-26 |title=Beyoncé’s country roots |url=https://www.vox.com/2024/3/26/24111978/beyonce-album-cowboy-carter-black-country-history |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Vox |language=en}}</ref> [[Sirius XM|SiriusXM]] host Mike Muse told [[Good Morning America]] that the album is sparking a "global conversation" and "social discourse" on country music and increasing public interest in the genre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyonce's new music is sparking conversations in the country music world |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/beyonce-new-music-sparking-conversations-country-music-world/story?id=107260013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216114321/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/beyonce-new-music-sparking-conversations-country-music-world/story?id=107260013 |archive-date=February 16, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> Beyoncé's country music will "open the floodgates" for other country musicians, according to ''[[BBC News]]''.<ref name=":33">{{Cite news |date=2024-02-16 |title=Beyoncé: Star 'can open UK country music floodgates' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-68289785 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216114320/https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-68289785 |archive-date=February 16, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-16 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Country artist Kezia Gill said that Beyoncé's presence will make the genre "accessible to everyone" and "bring in a whole generation" of new listeners. Roisin O'Connor, music editor at ''[[The Independent]]'', said that the album is "a tipping point" for country music, spreading the genre to new audiences.<ref name=":33" /> ''[[Texas Monthly]]''<nowiki/>'s Dan Solomon wrote that the album has had a "dramatic" cultural impact, with Beyoncé "remaking country radio in her image."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Solomon |first=Dan |date=2024-02-22 |title=Can Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ Save Lives? A Texas Monthly Investigation |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/beyonce-texas-hold-em-useful-for-cpr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223100436/https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/beyonce-texas-hold-em-useful-for-cpr/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref>

==== Country radio ====
[[Country radio]] managers shared their excitement about the album bringing new listeners. Mike Levine of [[KKGO|Go Country 105]] said that "anything to make country more approachable is amazing, so it's fantastic," while [[KKBQ|93Q Country]] program manager Travis Moon said it is "exciting not just for country radio, but for the artist and the legacy that she's done in her entire career." Moon noted that instead of just fitting a certain "vibe", "Texas Hold 'Em" has a "fresh" and "exciting" new sound, saying, "Just the way the song is constructed, the vocals are amazing, the instrumentation's fantastic. It fits the vibe of what we're doing on this radio station."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stenzel |first=Wesley |date=February 15, 2024 |title=Will country radio play Beyoncé's new songs? Station managers weigh in |url=https://ew.com/will-country-radio-play-beyonce-new-songs-station-managers-weigh-in-8582008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224225244/https://ew.com/will-country-radio-play-beyonce-new-songs-station-managers-weigh-in-8582008 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>

Programmers at [[Cumulus Media]]'s country stations had a call where they spoke "enthusiastically" about the album, with chief content officer Brian Philips describing it as "a gift". Philips told ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' that it "adds a completely unforeseen, unimagined new angle to country radio... We have 55 major country stations and it's very hard to get them to agree on anything. But everybody at country wants to play it." [[iHeartMedia]] chief programming officer and president [[Tom Poleman]] spoke of his excitement to play the album on [[iHeartRadio]] stations, describing Beyoncé as an "innovator" who "continues to push the creative boundaries in music." [[Sirius XM|SiriusXM]] senior director of country programming Johnny Chiang also shared his excitement to add the album's tracks to [[Pandora (service)|Pandora]] country stations, telling ''Variety'', ""Texas Hold 'Em" is a good song, and a legit modern country song. And she's iconic, so it's a no brainer....nothing but good for our format."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=February 16, 2024 |title=The Country Format Is Bullish on Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ Top Radio Execs Say |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/beyonce-country-format-radio-bullish-texas-hold-em-1235913252/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216015851/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/beyonce-country-format-radio-bullish-texas-hold-em-1235913252/ |archive-date=February 16, 2024 |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

=== Response from country artists ===
Country icon [[Dolly Parton]] recognized the impact that Beyoncé's embrace of country music has had, praising Beyoncé as "fantastic and beautiful", and posted a message on social media stating: "I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album... Can’t wait to hear [it]!"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=Beyoncé's country music success highlights the legacies of past Black musicians |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/beyonces-country-music-success-highlights-the-legacies-of-past-black-musicians |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222163400/https://www.newschannel5.com/news/beyonces-country-music-success-highlights-the-legacies-of-past-black-musicians |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Madarang |first=Charisma |date=February 23, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton Praises Beyoncé on Hot Country Number One Single |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/dolly-parton-beyonce-hot-country-number-one-single-1234974405/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224210912/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/dolly-parton-beyonce-hot-country-number-one-single-1234974405/ |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Country singer-songwriter [[Lainey Wilson]] shared her excitement about Beyoncé's crossover into country, telling ''Billboard'': "I love it. The more the merrier. Country music is about storytelling and Beyoncé knows how to tell a story, so I think it's awesome and it's awesome for the country music genre. Everybody wants to feel at home and country music makes you feel at home."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Matthew |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Lainey Wilson Defends Beyoncé's Venture into Country Music: "Come on Home, Girl!" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/lainey-wilson-defends-beyonces-venture-into-country-music-come-on-home-girl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226200845/https://americansongwriter.com/lainey-wilson-defends-beyonces-venture-into-country-music-come-on-home-girl/ |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=[[American Songwriter]]}}</ref> [[Hootie & the Blowfish]]'s [[Darius Rucker]] expressed himself as a fan of Beyoncé's embrace of country and praised her new music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darius Rucker Praises Beyoncé's Country Music, Hopes It Wins AOTY |url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/02/22/darius-rucker-praises-beyonce-new-country-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222180944/https://www.tmz.com/2024/02/22/darius-rucker-praises-beyonce-new-country-music/ |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=TMZ |language=en}}</ref> Country singer-songwriter [[Maren Morris]] described it as "such a statement," praising Beyoncé's "reclaiming of country music back to Black people."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Olivia |date=February 17, 2024 |title=Maren Morris Is Already Marveling at Beyoncé’s Shift Back to Country Music |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1395304/marren-morris-is-already-marveling-at-beyonces-shift-back-to-country-music |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219093823/https://www.eonline.com/news/1395304/marren-morris-is-already-marveling-at-beyonces-shift-back-to-country-music |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |access-date=February 19, 2024 |website=[[E!]]}}</ref> Country singer [[Mickey Guyton]] described the album as "very exciting", noting that "Beyoncé is country music" and that is has the potential to boost the careers of people of color in country music.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-15 |title=Mickey Guyton & Tayla Parx Hope Beyoncé Changes Country |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/mickey-guyton-tayla-parx-woman-beyonce-country-music |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Nylon |language=en}}</ref>

=== Fashion ===
Beyoncé's embrace of country music and culture ignited fashion trends and boosted sales of [[Western wear]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=Beyoncé’s Country Style Seen Spurring Sales of Western Wear |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/beyonc-country-style-seen-spurring-151929673.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222103158/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/beyonc-country-style-seen-spurring-151929673.html |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Stars Wearing Cowboy Hats, Beyoncé Going Country Sets Trend |url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/02/22/celebs-wearing-cowboy-hats-beyonce-trend-country-music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223100431/https://www.tmz.com/2024/02/22/celebs-wearing-cowboy-hats-beyonce-trend-country-music/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=TMZ |language=en}}</ref> Western retailer Boot Barn's Isha Nicole said that it has "catapulted Western influence into the limelight, inviting the masses to participate in the romanticism of the American spirit".<ref name=":8" /> Google searches for "[[bolo tie]]", "[[cowboy hat]]", and "[[Cowboy boot|cowboy boots]]" increased by 566%, 213%, and 163% following the announcement of the album.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=It’s Shaping Up to Be the Year of Yeehaw |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/beyonce-lana-del-ray-country-albums-trend |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222103158/https://www.glamour.com/story/beyonce-lana-del-ray-country-albums-trend |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Glamour |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=mahadevan |first=tara |title=Searches for Cowboy Fashion Soar as Beyoncé Gets Set to Drop 'Renaissance II' |url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/cowboy-fashion-searches-soar-beyonce-album-announcement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223041443/https://www.complex.com/style/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/cowboy-fashion-searches-soar-beyonce-album-announcement |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> The cowboy hat trend fueled by the album was followed by public figures such as [[Kim Kardashian]], [[Pharrell Williams]], [[Diplo]], and [[Bella Hadid]].<ref name=":10" /> Tyler Thoreson, Vice President of Marketing at [[Stetson]], told ''[[Digiday|Glossy]]'': "We’re honored to have Beyoncé as the latest in a long line of trailblazers to make our hats a key part of their look. We’ve seen incredible interest in our brand and our products across the social media landscape since the Grammys. And we’ve seen a spike in interest in the Shasta, the style she’s been wearing most the past couple week… Beyoncé has taken things to a whole new level."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pile |first=Tatiana |date=2024-02-23 |title=With her cowboycore style, Beyoncé is introducing a classic brand to young shoppers |url=https://www.glossy.co/pop/with-her-cowboycore-style-beyonce-is-introducing-a-classic-brand-to-young-shoppers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223100431/https://www.glossy.co/pop/with-her-cowboycore-style-beyonce-is-introducing-a-classic-brand-to-young-shoppers/ |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Glossy |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


Revision as of 10:07, 27 March 2024

Cowboy Carter
Studio album by
Beyoncé
ReleasedMarch 29, 2024 (2024-03-29)
Recorded2019–2024[1][2]
Label
Producer
Beyoncé chronology
Renaissance
(2022) 		Cowboy Carter
(2024)
Singles from Cowboy Carter
  1. "Texas Hold 'Em"
    Released: February 11, 2024
  2. "16 Carriages"
    Released: February 11, 2024

Cowboy Carter (also referred to as Act II: Cowboy Carter or simply Act II[3]) is the upcoming eighth studio album by American singer Beyoncé, scheduled to be released on March 29, 2024, via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. A record influenced by country music, it is the second installment of Beyoncé's trilogy project conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, following Renaissance (2022).

The album was announced on February 11, 2024 on the singer's social media, following a teaser in a Verizon commercial aired during Super Bowl LVIII. Beyoncé simultaneously released the album's dual lead singles, "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages." The album ignited discussions on Black musicians' place within country music, boosted the listenership of Black country artists and country radio in general, and increased the popularity of Western wear and culture.

Background

Beyoncé was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where the city's cowboy heritage and zydeco music played a role in her upbringing.[4][5] She listened to country music from an early age, particularly from her paternal grandfather.[6] She attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo every year with her family wearing western clothing. She later performed at the Rodeo four times between 2001 and 2007, and has continued to celebrate her Southern roots throughout her career.[7][8][9][10][11]

Beyoncé first released a country song with the track "Daddy Lessons" on Lemonade (2016).[12] A remix featuring The Chicks was released as a promotional single on November 2, 2016,[13] and they performed the song together at the 50th annual Country Music Association Awards. While the performance was largely praised by critics, a backlash was sparked against Beyoncé. Some country music fans criticized Beyoncé's attendance, claiming that she did not belong in the genre. The Country Music Association (CMA) deleted all promotional posts about Beyoncé's performance, which was seen as succumbing to the pressure in an attempt to prevent backlash against the organization.[14][15] In December 2016, Lemonade received nine Grammy nominations, but "Daddy Lessons" was reportedly rejected by the Recording Academy's country music committee for undisclosed reasons.[16]

This experience led to the creation of Cowboy Carter. Beyoncé explained how it was made clear to her that she was not welcome in the country music space, but instead of letting the criticism force her out of the genre, it made her push past the limitations put on her. She delved into the history of country music and Western culture and researched its African-American roots. She studied "our rich musical archive" and learned from educators who had long advocated for a re-education on the black roots of country music. She also read about how, historically, 50% of cowboys were black, noting: "After understanding where the word ‘cowboy’ came from, I realized how much of the Black, brown and Native cowboy stories are missing in American history."[17] Following this research, Beyoncé decided that she wanted to reclaim Americana and country music from a Black perspective.[18][19] This was also the inspiration for her 2021 "Ivy Park Rodeo" clothing collection.[20]

I grew up going to the Houston rodeo every year. It was this amazing diverse and multicultural experience where there was something for every member of the family, including great performances, Houston-style fried Snickers, and fried turkey legs. One of my inspirations came from the overlooked history of the American Black cowboy. Many of them were originally called cowhands, who experienced great discrimination and were often forced to work with the worst, most temperamental horses. They took their talents and formed the Soul Circuit. Through time, these Black rodeos showcased incredible performers and helped us reclaim our place in western history and culture.

— Beyoncé to Harper's Bazaar in 2021.[20]

Between 2020 and 2024, Dolly Parton said on multiple occasions that she would like Beyoncé to cover her song "Jolene". She first said that "nobody's ever had a really big hit record on ['Jolene']," in a December 5, 2020 interview with The Big Issue. She said that even though "the song has been recorded worldwide over 400 times in lots of different languages, by lots of different bands, [she'd] always hoped somebody might do [it] someday, someone like Beyoncé."[21] On March 10, 2022, when asked by Trevor Noah on The Daily Show about her 2020 statement, she said "I would just love to hear 'Jolene' done in just a big way, kind of like how Whitney did my 'I Will Always Love You', just someone that can take my little songs and make them like powerhouses. That would be a marvellous day in my life if she ever does do 'Jolene'."[22] After publicly showing her support for Beyoncé's 2024 venture into country in February,[23] on March 8, 2024, in an interview with Knox News for the 2024 season opening of Dollywood, Parton said "I think she's recorded 'Jolene' and I think it's probably gonna be on her country album, which I'm very excited about..."[24][25]

Promotion and release

Cowboy Carter is the second installment of a trilogy Beyoncé recorded throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which she described as her most creative period.[26] The first act, Renaissance (2022), is primarily a house and disco record highlighting and celebrating the Black progenitors of dance music, leading some to believe that each album of the trilogy would aim to reclaim a genre that was first pioneered by Black artists.[27] The then-untitled album was first announced on February 11, 2024, during Super Bowl LVIII, when Verizon Communications aired a Super Bowl commercial, titled "Can't B Broken", in which Beyoncé tried to "break the Internet" through increasingly outlandish means, such as releasing a jazz saxophone record, performing on top of the Las Vegas Sphere, building an AI version of herself, launching a "Barbey" doll collection, announcing her candidacy for a fictional political position, and flying into space for a performance. After all of the ideas proved unsuccessful, Beyoncé concluded the commercial by remarking: "Okay, they ready. Drop the new music".[28]

Following the broadcast, Beyoncé released a teaser video for Act II on Instagram.[29] Directed by British artist and filmmaker Nadia Lee Cohen, the video pays homage to Paris, Texas (1984), references border blasters and features Chuck Berry's 1955 track "Maybellene".[30][31] The same day, the singer's official website was updated to announce her eighth studio album, with the placeholder name Act II, scheduled for release on March 29.[32] Subsequently, the album's two lead singles, "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages", were simultaneously made available for digital download and streaming.[33][34] Tina Knowles, Beyoncé's mother, posted a picture of Beyoncé the day of the singles' release, partially captioned "I have loved this record for years."[35] On March 12, Beyoncé announced the album would be titled Cowboy Carter[36] via a teaser poster of a western saddle with a sash.[37] With this she listed album merchandise of limited-edition CDs with a bonus track, T-shirts, and vinyl variants in red, white, blue and standard black.[38]

On March 19, 2024, Beyoncé revealed the album cover via Instagram, and said there would be "surprises" and collaborations on the album.[2] On March 20, she revealed a limited edition exclusive cover, wearing a sash that reads "act ii BEYINCÉ", referencing a generational family surname.[39] Taglines and stills for the album were projected onto various museums in New York City.[40] One of these was an unauthorized projection onto the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, who genially responded by posting Franz Marc’s 1910 painting Three Horses Drinking with the Texas Hold 'Em-inspired caption “This ain’t Texas.”[41] Beyoncé also posted co-ordinates to the museum on her Instagram story.[42]

This album has been over five years in the making. [...] 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 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.

— Beyoncé via Instagram in March 2024.[2]

Cover artwork

The cover artwork was said to be inspired by rodeo queens, such as those in the Houston Rodeo that Beyoncé attended annually

The Cowboy Carter album cover was shot by Texan photographer Blair Caldwell. Much like the cover for Renaissance—which saw Beyoncé sitting atop a stationary disco ball horse—the Cowboy Carter artwork sees Beyoncé atop a gray Lipizzan at full gallop. She rides the horse sidesaddle (in the style of royalty), dressed in a red, white and blue one-piece, a cowboy hat, and a sash reading "Cowboy Carter". She holds the horse's reins in one hand and a large American flag in the other.[43] The imagery is reminiscent of rodeo queens, who similarly carry the flag while riding their horse after winning the title.[44]

The album cover was a topic of discussion and dissection by critics. Francesca T Royster, professor at DePaul University and author of Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions, wrote: "The aesthetic choice is bold and seems to be signaling the ways that Beyoncé is putting herself into conversations about nationalism, a theme very much central to discourses about country music, patriotism and authenticity, from the times of its origins."[45] Critics suggested a variety of inspirations and allusions for the cover, including presidential portraits, Jacques-Louis David's Napoleon Crossing the Alps (1801–05), Marina Abramović's The Hero (2001),[43] Kehinde Wiley's Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson) (2009), the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo,[45] and Eadweard Muybridge's The Horse in Motion (1878).[44]

Impact

Beyoncé preserves the best of country past and evolves us into a country future that we have never seen... It's such a full-circle moment for me that I almost want to cry. I wanted to see a Black woman get to the top of the charts, and now I can retire.

—Alice Randall, the first Black woman to write a number-one song on the country charts[46]

Black artists in country music

With Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé was seen as reclaiming country music and bringing it back to its Black roots.[47] It also sparked conversations on the inclusion of Black artists within the country genre.[48] The BBC's Daisy Woodward wrote that Beyoncé's embrace of country music "galvanises" the reclamation of western culture by those who have felt excluded by it and subverts the traditional image of cowboys.[49] American author and country songwriter Alice Randall, in an interview for The Washington Post, affirmed that Beyoncé "is spotlighting and building on a profound tradition" which started with Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music by Ray Charles, stressing that "[Beyoncé] is going to take it even further if the things she’s already done in country is any indication," even if Charles wasn't prized by the music genre at the time.[50] NBC News's Emi Tuyetnhi Tran wrote that the album has the potential to redefine what it means to be a country artist "in the cultural consciousness."[51]

The album spotlighted Black musicians in the country music space and boosted their listenership.[52][53] Black female country musicians saw a significant increase in streams due to the album, such as Reyna Roberts (250%), Rissi Palmer (110%), Tanner Adell (188%) and K. Michelle (185%). Linda Martell, the first commercially successful Black female country artist and the first to play the Grand Ole Opry, saw a 275% increase in streams.[53] Other musicians who saw an increase in demand include Adia Victoria, Amri Unplugged, Brittney Spencer, Mickey Guyton, Rhiannon Giddens, and Sacha. Black-led country organizations such as the Black Opry also received a significant increase in followers.[52] NPR's Amanda Marie Martínez also said that the album has highlighted and boosted the profile of Black country artists. The song, Martínez writes, has revealed the "strong demand" for country music made by Black artists and a "growing community" of Black country fans.[54] In an article for The Nashville Tennessean, Andrea Williams explained how Beyoncé has opened the door for others in country music and proved that Black songwriters, producers, and musicians belong in the genre. Williams wrote that Black people are generally "shut out of country music's creation" and that they "have been waiting for the opportunity to take part in the genre their forefathers helped build, to not be told they’re too urban for Nashville studios." With Cowboy Carter, Williams writes, Beyoncé celebrates Black country musicians, proving they are "country enough" and allowing them to receive their due credit and remuneration.[55]

Popularity and accessibility of country music

Cowboy Carter marked a cultural shift for country music and boosted its accessibility to a wider audience, according to CBS News.[56][57] SiriusXM host Mike Muse told Good Morning America that the album is sparking a "global conversation" and "social discourse" on country music and increasing public interest in the genre.[58] Beyoncé's country music will "open the floodgates" for other country musicians, according to BBC News.[59] Country artist Kezia Gill said that Beyoncé's presence will make the genre "accessible to everyone" and "bring in a whole generation" of new listeners. Roisin O'Connor, music editor at The Independent, said that the album is "a tipping point" for country music, spreading the genre to new audiences.[59] Texas Monthly's Dan Solomon wrote that the album has had a "dramatic" cultural impact, with Beyoncé "remaking country radio in her image."[60]

Country radio

Country radio managers shared their excitement about the album bringing new listeners. Mike Levine of Go Country 105 said that "anything to make country more approachable is amazing, so it's fantastic," while 93Q Country program manager Travis Moon said it is "exciting not just for country radio, but for the artist and the legacy that she's done in her entire career." Moon noted that instead of just fitting a certain "vibe", "Texas Hold 'Em" has a "fresh" and "exciting" new sound, saying, "Just the way the song is constructed, the vocals are amazing, the instrumentation's fantastic. It fits the vibe of what we're doing on this radio station."[61]

Programmers at Cumulus Media's country stations had a call where they spoke "enthusiastically" about the album, with chief content officer Brian Philips describing it as "a gift". Philips told Variety that it "adds a completely unforeseen, unimagined new angle to country radio... We have 55 major country stations and it's very hard to get them to agree on anything. But everybody at country wants to play it." iHeartMedia chief programming officer and president Tom Poleman spoke of his excitement to play the album on iHeartRadio stations, describing Beyoncé as an "innovator" who "continues to push the creative boundaries in music." SiriusXM senior director of country programming Johnny Chiang also shared his excitement to add the album's tracks to Pandora country stations, telling Variety, ""Texas Hold 'Em" is a good song, and a legit modern country song. And she's iconic, so it's a no brainer....nothing but good for our format."[62]

Response from country artists

Country icon Dolly Parton recognized the impact that Beyoncé's embrace of country music has had, praising Beyoncé as "fantastic and beautiful", and posted a message on social media stating: "I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album... Can’t wait to hear [it]!"[63][64] Country singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson shared her excitement about Beyoncé's crossover into country, telling Billboard: "I love it. The more the merrier. Country music is about storytelling and Beyoncé knows how to tell a story, so I think it's awesome and it's awesome for the country music genre. Everybody wants to feel at home and country music makes you feel at home."[65] Hootie & the Blowfish's Darius Rucker expressed himself as a fan of Beyoncé's embrace of country and praised her new music.[66] Country singer-songwriter Maren Morris described it as "such a statement," praising Beyoncé's "reclaiming of country music back to Black people."[67] Country singer Mickey Guyton described the album as "very exciting", noting that "Beyoncé is country music" and that is has the potential to boost the careers of people of color in country music.[68]

Fashion

Beyoncé's embrace of country music and culture ignited fashion trends and boosted sales of Western wear.[69][70] Western retailer Boot Barn's Isha Nicole said that it has "catapulted Western influence into the limelight, inviting the masses to participate in the romanticism of the American spirit".[69] Google searches for "bolo tie", "cowboy hat", and "cowboy boots" increased by 566%, 213%, and 163% following the announcement of the album.[71][72] The cowboy hat trend fueled by the album was followed by public figures such as Kim Kardashian, Pharrell Williams, Diplo, and Bella Hadid.[70] Tyler Thoreson, Vice President of Marketing at Stetson, told Glossy: "We’re honored to have Beyoncé as the latest in a long line of trailblazers to make our hats a key part of their look. We’ve seen incredible interest in our brand and our products across the social media landscape since the Grammys. And we’ve seen a spike in interest in the Shasta, the style she’s been wearing most the past couple week… Beyoncé has taken things to a whole new level."[73]

References

  1. ^ Price, Joe (March 22, 2024). ""16 Carriages" Producer Breaks Down the Difference Between Working on 'Renaissance' and 'Cowboy Carter'". Complex. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Strauss, Matthew (March 19, 2024). "Beyoncé Reveals Cowboy Carter Artwork, Shares Statement on New Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  3. ^ Beyoncé [@beyonce] (March 19, 2024). "act ii COWBOY CARTER 3.29". Retrieved March 19, 2024 – via Instagram.
  4. ^ "Super Bowl 2024 announcement: Why Beyoncé is reclaiming country music". www.bbc.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "5 Moments That Prove Beyoncé's Been A Country Music Icon". Elite Daily. February 16, 2024. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "Beyoncé: Renaissance star loved country music as a baby, dad reveals". BBC News. February 21, 2024. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  7. ^ Ocho, Alex. "Beyoncé's Mother, Tina Knowles, Explains Family's History of Cowboy Culture". Complex. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  8. ^ "Look back at 6 times Beyoncé has 'gone country' ahead of new music album announcement". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Phillips, Demi (February 19, 2024). "7 Times Beyoncé Put Her Texas, Country Roots Into Her Music". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Robinson, Zandria F. (February 8, 2016). "Beyonce's Black Southern 'Formation'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  11. ^ Oyeniyi, Doyin (April 16, 2018). "Beychella Was a Celebration of Beyoncé's Southern Black Culture". Texas Monthly. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  12. ^ Kingsberry, Janay (February 12, 2024). "Beyoncé's new country songs salute the genre's Black cultural roots". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  13. ^ "Daddy Lessons featuring the Dixie Chicks". SoundCloud. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Abad-Santos, Alex (November 4, 2016). "Beyoncé, the CMAs, and the fight over country music's politics, explained". Vox. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  15. ^ Hight, Jewly (November 4, 2016). "Beyoncé And The Dixie Chicks Offer Up Lessons On Country Music's Past (And Future)". NPR.
  16. ^ https://apnews.com/arts-and-entertainment-music-9770ad054e9d48aeba56cc40e12b3c84
  17. ^ "Exclusive: Beyoncé announces clothing line inspired by Black cowboys, Houston Rodeo memories". Houston Chronicle. August 6, 2021. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "How Es Devlin Set The Stage For Beyonce's Renaissance, The Compton Super Bowl, And Her Galactic New Book". British Vogue. November 3, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
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