Beyoncé took to Instagram this week to shed light on the inspiration behind her highly anticipated album, “Cowboy Carter.” In a heartfelt post, the iconic artist revealed that the project, which has been five years in the making, was “born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed.”
Fans speculate that Beyoncé is referring to her 2016 Country Music Awards performance of “Daddy Lessons” alongside the country group The Chicks, which faced backlash despite the warm reception from her devoted fanbase. This experience motivated the singer to embark on “a deeper dive into the history of country music.”
“Cowboy Carter” serves as the second installment of a three-part project, following the release of Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed 2022 dance album, “Renaissance.” Many believe this ambitious undertaking is her way of reclaiming genres pioneered by Black artists.
When Beyoncé unveiled the singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” Black country artists expressed hope that her foray into the genre would bring much-deserved exposure to Black country music.
In her Instagram post, Beyoncé acknowledged the challenges she faced, writing, “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.”
While the singles from “Cowboy Carter” have been country-influenced, Beyoncé clarified, “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album,” positioning it as a continuation of the genre-defying “Renaissance.”
Beyoncé recently made history as the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart with her single “Texas Hold ‘Em.” In her post, she expressed her honor at this achievement, writing, “That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you.”
The trailblazing artist also shared her hope for a future where “the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.”
Beyoncé announced her upcoming album during the Super Bowl and has now revealed its title, “Cowboy Carter,” set for release on March 29.
