“COWBOY CARTER” is a beautifully written, well-thought-out work of art containing a message directly from the core of Beyonce’s southern heart.
As the second act to her summer smash “RENAISSANCE,” this album had some big boots to fill– and it did not disappoint.
The album’s single, “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 100 Country Songs, making Bey the first Black woman to achieve this feat.
Yoncé starts this album with “AMERIICAN REQUIEM,” which is a haunting anthem showing off not only her mind-blowing vocal range but her deep-seated emotions towards accusations of not being able to make “real country” music.
“Used to say I spoke too country
And the rejection came, said I wasn’t country ‘nough
Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but
If that ain’t country, tell me what is?”
Texas-born Carter received racist backlash following her “Daddy Lessons” performance along with the Dixie Chicks at the Country Music Awards in 2016.
This entire album is a direct message to all who doubted her as a Black artist and her ability to make country music. To prove them all wrong, Carter gets on the saddle and gives the listeners a ride through her musical prowess.
To define country music, the Oxford Dictionary writes it as “a form of popular music originating in the rural southern US. It is traditionally a mixture of ballads and dance tunes played characteristically on fiddle, guitar, steel guitar, drums and keyboard.”
Bey seamlessly incorporates these characteristics on the album, especially on the songs “ALLIIGATOR TEARS,” “JUST FOR FUN (featuring. Willie Jones)” and “FLAMENCO.”
The features on this record are enough to get any average country fan to listen. Bey features the iconic Dolly Parton, along with Miley Cyrus, Post Malone and Willie Nelson. She also covers “Blackbird” by the Beatles and turns “Jolene” by Dolly Parton into her own.
“Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warnin’ you, woman, find you your own man
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene
I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisiane (Don’t try me)”
All of the songs on this album deserve recognition, however “II MOST WANTED (featuring Miley Cyrus),” “YA YA” and “DAUGHTER” have been on repeat for me.
There is a fair share of country music that I do in fact enjoy, so y’all shouldn’t take it lightly when I say Beyoncé is more than deserving of kudos for this magnificent album.
