With her new album Cowboy Carter causing a storm in the world of country music, Beyoncé proves once again that she’s a force to be reckoned with
WORDS: EVE MACDONALD PHOTOS: GETTY, PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT, REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
COUNTRY GIRL AT HEART
When Beyoncé Knowles-Carter arrived at the 2024 Grammy Awards in full cowboy regalia, she left fans wondering what sort of statement she was making. But following her Western-inspired look at this year’s Super Bowl, and the release of her hit album last month – titled Cowboy Carter – the 42-year-old has now firmly added a Stetson to her many hats as she takes the country world by storm.
Beyoncé has a legacy that makes her one of the greatest artists of her generation, but – until now – she has been known for her R&B, pop and soul music. However, her new 27-track album – which is the second instalment of her trilogy project, following Renaissance – has confirmed her unrivalled versatility in the music industry.
Cowboy Carter presented Queen Bey with a record-breaking win after officially becoming the first Black artist ever to have a country album reach No1 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart. In fact, in a double chart victory, she is also the first artist ever to achieve a UK Official Chart double with a country album and country single.
When Texas Hold ’Em sky-rocketed in the charts, the 32-time Grammy winner addressed her fans, “I feel honoured to be the first Black woman with a 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.”
The last time Beyoncé reached such heights of chart stardom was back in 2003 when she topped the Official Albums and Singles Charts simultaneously with Dangerously In Love and Crazy In Love featuring her husband of 16 years, Jay-Z.
Beyoncé now follows in the footsteps of Shania Twain who was the first female country artist to score a UK No1 album in 1999. Even music icon Dolly Parton, with a country career spanning nearly 50 years, hasn’t yet landed a No1 record in the UK.
And, speaking of Dolly, the tracklist of Cowboy Carter boasts one of the most renowned roll calls of collaborators, including the Jolene singer herself. Other vocalists include Miley Cyrus, Willie Nelson and even Beyoncé’s six-year-old daughter Rumi for the song Protector – which saw her break sister Blue Ivy’s record as the youngest female artist to feature on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Blue Ivy, now 12, was seven at the time.
Beyoncé – also mum to
