Beyoncé, the iconic singer and performer, is embracing country music in her upcoming album Act II. This move comes as no surprise, as Beyoncé has always had a connection to country music, even from a young age. Back in 1997, when she was just 15 years old, Beyoncé covered the Commodores’ single “Sail On” with her group Destiny’s Child. The song showcased her Southern twang and hinted at her potential to cross genres.
In an interview with The Guardian in 2006, Beyoncé reflected on that first album and said, “It was a neo-soul record and we were 15 years old. It was way too mature for us.” Despite this, she fully embraced the song and made it her own. This early experience set the stage for her current foray into country music.
As Beyoncé prepares to release Act II on March 29, she is fully immersing herself in the country genre. She recently released “Texas Hold ‘Em,” a line dance-ready track that has been sent to country radio for airplay consideration. Another song on the album, “16 Carriages,” delves into Beyoncé’s early career moments and the sacrifices she made to pursue her dreams of global stardom.
Beyoncé’s connection to country music goes beyond just her music. She has always been proud of her Southern roots, growing up in Houston, Texas. In 2001, she performed “Sail On” with Destiny’s Child at the Houston Rodeo, an event she attended as a child. When she returned to the show as a solo artist in 2004, she made a grand entrance on the back of a palomino horse. Her album Lemonade, released in 2016, also showcased her Southern roots with tracks like “Daddy Lessons,” which had a distinct country sound.
However, Beyoncé’s embrace of country music has not come without controversy. When she performed “Daddy Lessons” with the Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards, some questioned whether she belonged at a country awards show. The song was deemed ineligible for country categories at the Grammy Awards, sparking a debate about the genre’s boundaries and who gets to define them.
But Beyoncé is not the first artist to challenge the boundaries of country music. Artists like Lionel Richie, Tim McGraw, and Lil Nas X have all collaborated with country acts and faced similar criticism. Even Tina Turner, whom Beyoncé has long admired, had her own experience with country music. Despite having a deep connection to the genre, Turner’s debut solo album Tina Turns the Country On! did not lead to a full-blown country era for her.
Beyoncé’s journey into country music has been a deliberate one. She has sought out collaborations with folk musician Rhiannon Giddens and steel guitarist Robert Randolph to bring her country vision to life. She has also incorporated country couture into her performance wardrobe, embracing the aesthetic of the genre.
Ultimately, Beyoncé’s embrace of country music is a testament to the power of reclaiming and reviving history. As a Black artist in a genre that has often excluded Black voices, Beyoncé is rewriting the narrative and making space for herself. Her upcoming album Act II is sure to be a powerful statement and a celebration of her country roots.
For Beyoncé, no matter where her career takes her, her country home will always be a part of her identity. Her roots in Houston, Texas, run deep, and she has never forgotten where she came from. As she sings in “16 Carriages,” “All highways lead to her country home.”