Everything You Need to Know About Beyonce’s New Album ‘Cowboy Carter’
Beyonce
Kevin Mazur/WireImageReady for round two? Because the second part of Beyonce‘S Renaissance it is on its way.
During Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, the music icon dropped a bombshell and announced her new album: Renaissance Act II, after teasing the new music in a Verizon commercial. At the brand’s spot for the big game, Beyoncé attempted to “break the internet” with a series of increasingly ridiculous stunts.
“OK. They’re done. Drop the new music,” Beyoncé said in the final seconds of the ad. This was no joke, as when the ad aired, two new songs appeared on streaming services: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and ’16 Carriages.’ The songs also confirmed fans’ long-held dreams that Bey has gone abroad.
To literally get the message across, Beyoncé also shared an Instagram video in tribute Wim Wenders‘Movie from 1984 Paris, Texas. In the clip, she sits behind the wheel of a yellow cab, zooming down a dirt road in a rural part of the Lone Star State. The car zooms past a crowd of locals looking at a new billboard advertising “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which shows Beyoncé in pink lingerie, a cowboy hat, a pair of boots and a smile.
Keep reading to find out what else you need to know about her new album:
What is the meaning behind the title ‘Act II’?
When Beyoncé announced it Renaissance in 2022, she explained that her seventh album was the first part of a “three-act project”, recorded over three years during the coronavirus pandemic. Beyoncé was in “a time to be quiet” and said she also found the global lockdowns “a time… to be the most creative.”
Is Beyoncé Really Releasing a Country Album?
While the first Renaissance album celebrated house music, Renaissance Act II becomes country, as is clear from the first two singles.
According to the credits of the first two singles, Beyoncé collaborated with prominent black country artists Rhiannon Giddens And Robert Randolf. Giddens, who has been vocal about the banjo’s roots in black culture, plays banjo and viola on “Texas Hold ‘Em,” while Randolph plays steel guitar on “16 Carriages.”
Some fans suspect that Act III will focus on rock music. “Reclaiming the Genres That Started with Black Culture,” Posted one user via X after that Act II‘s announcement.
Beyoncé’s fans suspected her outfit at the 2024 Grammy Awards was a clue to her next album. She attended the February 4 event wearing a western-themed outfit from Louis Vuitton, including a cream-colored cowboy hat.
Beyonce and Jay Z
Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesWhen is Beyoncé’s ‘Act II’ coming out?
Act II will be released on Friday, March 29.
What songs are on ‘Act II’?
So far, Beyoncé has released two singles: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”
Will there be features on ‘Act II’?
Renaissance‘s first act featured performances by Grace Jones, Tams And Ray. (Kendrick Lamar later jumped on the remix of ‘America Has a Problem’, while Madonna joined for a remix of “Break My Soul.”)
Beyoncé will likely include more black country stars Act IIwith some listeners hoping for a performance by Linda Martell. Martell is the first commercially successful black female country artist and the first black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry.
Other fans are keeping their fingers crossed for a feature film starring The Chicks, who joined Beyoncé for a performance of the Lemonade track “Daddy Lessons” at the 2016 CMA Awards.
Beyoncé has always been in ‘formation’, especially when it comes to fashion. The hitmaker never misses the opportunity to make a style statement both on the red carpet and off. Some of her standout looks came from the Met Gala, especially the 2015 soirée, which had the theme “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Beyoncé’s […]
Will we get ‘Telephone’ part 2?
Some fans are wondering if Beyoncé is Act II announcement also secretly hinted that she and Lady Gaga are working on a follow-up to their 2010 music video, ‘Telephone’.
While attending the Super Bowl, Gaga wore a jersey with the number 16, seemingly coinciding with Beyoncé’s song “16 Carriages.” Gaga posted a photo from her chair, holding two fingers up to the camera. “Let’s goshe captioned the post, which some observers believe is a reference to a sequel to her collaboration with Queen Bey.
In the original “Telephone” video, Gaga was booked on February 11, the same day as Super Bowl LVIII and the Act II announcement. The video ends with Gaga and Beyoncé driving through the desert, with the words “To Be Continued…” at the end. At the beginning of her Act II teaser, Beyoncé also drives through the desert.
Adidas x Ivy Park/Cover Images Beyoncé is heading to the country, and some of the genre’s biggest stars couldn’t be happier. In addition to announcing Renaissance Act II during Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, Beyoncé launched her new era by releasing “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” The two country songs embodied her Houston roots […]
Did Beyonce feel welcome in country music?
Beyoncé shared in a candid Instagram post on March 19 that her new album is “over five years in the making.”
“It stemmed from an experience I had years ago where I didn’t feel welcome… and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” Beyoncé wrote.
After teasing a few collaborations on the album, Beyoncé noted, “This is not a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album. This is Act II Cowboy Carterand I’m proud to share it with you!”