By: Symone Conway
In the midst of the 2024 Super Bowl, living legend and icon Beyonce decided “they ready” and dropped two new songs. The songs feature her incredible vocal capabilities on country records, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages”.
Everyone remembers “Daddy Lessons” from her Lemonade album that first displayed her country versatility. Act II of Beyonce’s new era is sure to break records and surprise everyone. Beyonce truly is one of a kind and is staying true to her southern, Houston roots with this country album coming March 29th. She’s been hinting at this country period for a minute with her recent public styling being Cowgirl themed, between her recent use of Cowboy hats at the Grammys (even the sparkling cowboy hat during the Renaissance era) and her big country hair and bolo tie at the Super Bowl.
Act I — Renaissance — didn’t get nearly enough flowers from the Recording Academy. Jay-Z was sure to call out their overlooking and ignorance at this year’s Grammys as Beyonce holds the title for the artist with the most Grammys, yet she has never won Album of the Year. Renaissance was a beautiful album that recaptured house music in its complexity and authenticity. Fans speculate that with Act I being house music and Act II being country, Beyonce is taking the time to reclaim the genres founded by black people.
Fans are already embracing the beauty that is “16 Carriages” as Beyonce explores deep emotions ; while they also notice she has been holding this song in the vault for years now, confirmed by the “38 summers” lyrics and Ms. Tina Knowles IG caption saying she’s loved the song for years now. “Texas Hold ‘Em” is the more upbeat song of the two. It definitely makes listeners want to square dance as Beyonce sings, “Come pour some liquor on me honey too, Its a real life boogey and a real life hoedown”. The banjo use, whistling, and “blues” lyrical tone perfectly portrays the country theme coming in this new era.
This Country era is so exciting because a genre that is regarded as white is being explored by a widely influential artist like Beyonce. The two songs are already at the top of the Apple Music country charts, which speaks loud enough to the amazing and insanely talented artist Beyonce is.
Get prepared for 03.29!!