When Beyoncé appeared at the Grammys sporting a cowboy hat, it hinted at a new direction for the music icon.
Shortly after, she unveiled her entry into the country music genre by releasing two unexpected singles during the Super Bowl, one of which, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” quickly soared to become her most successful hit in recent years, topping the UK charts for four consecutive weeks.
Despite its success, the country music establishment offered a lukewarm response, with “Texas Hold ‘Em” receiving limited airplay on country radio stations. This reaction was anticipated by Beyoncé, who, despite her Texan roots and a claim to country music, expressed through an Instagram post that her journey into country music was spurred by past experiences of exclusion, notably her controversial performance at the 2016 Country Music Awards with The Chicks.
Her latest album, “Cowboy Carter,” is not just a venture into country music but a Beyoncé album through and through, blending country’s acoustic elements with pop, rap, and even spirituals to challenge genre boundaries and critique the marginalization within the Nashville music scene, especially of black women. The album features collaborations with artists who straddle both pop and country music, further emphasizing Beyoncé’s message of genre inclusivity.
“Cowboy Carter” is characterized by its musical diversity and thematic depth, addressing socio-political issues, personal struggles, and the universal experiences of love and heartache. Highlights of the album include a cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” an ode to motherhood titled “Protector,” and a reimagining of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” that ties into Beyoncé’s own narratives of infidelity and resilience.
The album not only showcases Beyoncé’s versatility and mastery across genres but also serves as a commentary on the exclusivity of the country music industry and the broader cultural erasure of black contributions to the genre. “Cowboy Carter” is presented as part of a trilogy conceived during the Covid-19 lockdown, with each album exploring the roots and evolution of different musical genres, making a statement on the inclusivity and diversity of musical expression.
