Beyoncé says her New Country Album is a Response to Those Who Made her Feel Unwelcome

[JamesG]

Beyoncé "Did Not Feel Welcomed" in Country — ‘Cowboy Carter’ Emerged from Those Limitations
by Larisha Paul
March 19, 2024


THE DISCO HORSE on the cover of Beyoncé‘s dance opus Renaissance has come to life on the cover of Cowboy Carter, the second act of her ongoing album series set to arrive on March 29.

Perched on a white horse, the musician holds the reins in one hand and a flowing American flag in the other. Her wrangling of control in the artwork is reflective of the place from which Cowboy Carter emerged.




“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,” Beyoncé wrote on Instagram on Tuesday, seemingly referencing the backlash to her appearance with the Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards.

She performed the Lemonade country cut “Daddy Lessons” for the Nashville audience, sparking outrage and controversial conversations about her place in the genre as a Black woman.

“But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive,” she continued. “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’s roots in country music date back years before “Daddy Lessons,” first emerging during her upbringing in Houston, Texas and trickling into her music as both a solo artist and with Destiny’s Child.

Those decades of experience culminated in the creation of the forthcoming album — led by “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” — which she proudly described in her post, saying: “This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER.”

But, she added, “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.”




The lengthy statement arrives as the introduction to a 10-day countdown to the album’s arrival.

Beyoncé also teased some more secrets she’s keeping under wraps, writing: “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.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...wn-1234990467/

[Steve M.]

Kenny Rogers also grew up in Houston, but I don't know why he's considered country when he grew up in a public housing project and why so many of his songs were more MOR and pop than country. Coming from Texas and liking country music doesn't make Beyonce a country singer any more than it made Kenny Rogers a country singer. Kenny Rogers was - I'm sorry - Barry Manilow music for people who think they like country and western.

[TMC]

Beyoncé appears to call out the CMA Awards

While unveiling the Cowboy Carter cover artwork today, the singer wrote that the Renaissance sequel was “born out of an experience” she’d had years prior where she “did not feel welcomed,” adding, “it was very clear that I wasn’t.” Beyoncé fans think she was referring to the backlash over her 2016 CMA Awards performance alongside The Chicks (then known as The Dixie Chicks). As Billboard's Hannah Dailey recounts, "there was backlash before the superstar even took the stage. A pre-show announcement teasing her performance sparked calls for a CMAs boycott on social media, with some people blasting the awards show for including Bey, whose tribute to the Black Panther Party during her performance of Formation at the 2016 Super Bowl had also earned pushback. (Some viewers also called for a boycott due to the inclusion of The Chicks, who famously pissed off the country music industry by criticizing George W. Bush at the height of the Iraq War in 2003.) After the performance, there was no mention of her appearance on the CMAs website."

[Hawkee]

I listened to Beyonce's new country album Cowboy Carter this morning and why I think Beyonce is trying to do a country album is so she is trying to become the biggest name for herself in country music. But as we saw Jessica Simpson attempt country music with her album Do You Know Beyonce's attempt at country music is weak and I cannot believe that she covered Dolly Parton's Jolene and ruined it because Jolene is one of my favorite Dolly Parton songs and Beyonce ruined it by adding new lyrics. I can guarantee that this album will be in the bargain bins of stores because it is simply weak in my eyes. If you want to hear a country singer with talent look up Rissi Palmer and she is a wonderful country singer with an awesome voice and her self-titled album is great

[Steve M.]

Originally Posted by Hawkee

I listened to Beyonce's new country album Cowboy Carter this morning and why I think Beyonce is trying to do a country album is so she is trying to become the biggest name for herself in country music. But as we saw Jessica Simpson attempt country music with her album Do You Know Beyonce's attempt at country music is weak and I cannot believe that she covered Dolly Parton's Jolene and ruined it because Jolene is one of my favorite Dolly Parton songs and Beyonce ruined it by adding new lyrics. I can guarantee that this album will be in the bargain bins of stores because it is simply weak in my eyes. If you want to hear a country singer with talent look up Rissi Palmer and she is a wonderful country singer with an awesome voice and her self-titled album is great

And with that comment, Beyonce fans have marked you for death.

[JamesG]

Beyoncé Achieves Eighth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 with 'Cowboy Carter’
by Keith Caulfield
April 7, 2024


Beyoncé’s 'Cowboy Carter' gallops in at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated April 13), debuting with 407,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending April 4, according to Luminate.

It’s the superstar’s eighth No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200.




With 407,000 units earned, 'Cowboy Carter' claims the biggest week of 2024 and the largest since Taylor Swift’s '1989 (Taylor’s Version)' bowed with 1.653 million units on the Nov. 11, 2023-dated list.

'Cowboy Carter’s' launch is also Beyoncé’s biggest week, by units, since her 'Lemonade' album debuted at No. 1 with 653,000 units (mostly from traditional album sales) on the May 14, 2016, chart. The new effort also lands Beyoncé her biggest streaming week ever.




'Cowboy Carter' also launches at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums, Americana/Folk Albums and Top Album Sales charts. She’s the first Black woman ever to have led the Top Country Albums list, dating to its January 1964 inception.

'Cowboy Carter' also claims the biggest week for a country album, by units earned, since last July, when Taylor Swift’s 'Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)', opened at No. 1 on the July 22, 2023 chart with 716,000 units.

https://www.billboard.com/music/char...rt-1235650662/

[Edward216]

Originally Posted by Steve M.

Kenny Rogers also grew up in Houston, but I don't know why he's considered country when he grew up in a public housing project and why so many of his songs were more MOR and pop than country. Coming from Texas and liking country music doesn't make Beyonce a country singer any more than it made Kenny Rogers a country singer. Kenny Rogers was - I'm sorry - Barry Manilow music for people who think they like country and western.

Yeah right! Kenny Rogers's songs are more country than Beyonce's will ever be!

Ed.

[JO Sweet Heart]

I am a white girl, but there are plenty of white singers that I do not listen to. In other words, it isn't about race where I am concerned. For me, it is more about musical style.

God bless you and my favorites who are still here always!!!

Holly

P.S. My most favorite African American singer is late Sesame Street actor Northern Calloway. I wish that he was still here. I love his singing.