Beyoncé has achieved remarkable success in recent weeks by making history as the first Black woman artist to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in the modern era of country music with her debut country single, “Texas Hold ‘Em.” This achievement was accompanied by an impressive opening at Number Two on the Hot 100.
In a new Instagram post for her 319 million follower, the Grammy winner has disclosed that her forthcoming country album, Cowboy Carter, was inspired by the backlash she received following her 2016 Country Music Awards (CMAs) performance with The Chicks. While many of the “16 Carriages” singer’s fans continue to show her support and await her new record, others are slamming her recent comments, with some even accusing her of “playing the victim.”
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Beyoncé’s Fans Are Divided After She Implies That She Didn’t Feel ‘Welcome’ During Her 2016 CMAs Performance
This experience at the awards show, the “Cuff It” artist noted, led her to explore the history of country music in greater depth. Beyoncé memorably performed her hit “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks (then Dixie Chicks), composed of lead singer Natalie Maines and multi-instrumentalists Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer. The trio, as many fans will recall, came under fire from many in the country music industry for publicly opposing then-President George W. Bush for his involvement in the Iraq War in 2003.
On March 19th, Beyoncé uploaded the cover image for her upcoming eighth studio album, and wrote: “This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t.” The cover art showed her posing in a Western-inspired ensemble, complete with a white cowboy hat, matching boots and a red, white and blue get-up. She held onto an American flag while sitting atop a white horse (reminiscent of her 2022 Renaissance cover).
The “Formation” crooner went on: “It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.” The mom of three continued: “The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
The Texas native concluded her message: “I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning and never stop.” Beyoncé signed off, penning: “This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!”
In her post's comments section, many praised her statement and journey into country music. "They didn’t give her a seat so she built her own table!!! Yall better hold on tight. The Queen a come truuuu," one commented as another user added: "MRS. BEY!!! I can’t wait for this!! I’m so excited!" Someone else concurred, writing: "Beyoncé here to save music again."
Others, however, were less than thrilled with the "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" singer's message. "So then don’t get upset if it’s not nominated for best country album since you’ve just proclaimed it is in fact, not a country album," one wrote as someone else replied: "saying that riding a horse with a literal cowboy hat on holding an American flag… is WILD."
The New York Post shared an IG upload about Beyoncé's new statement, and many followers seemed to have similar thoughts. "She is forever playing the victim. It’s a bit pathetic," one wrote as another concurred: "always the victim." Someone else added: "Billionaire but thinks she’s still a VICTIM."
While Beyoncé did not explicitly say how or why she felt unwelcome at the CMAs, The Chicks did, however, say they were treated "weird" after performing with her on stage. "They treated us very weird backstage," Maines, 49, dished to the New York Times in July 2020. She added that critical response to Beyoncé after the show was "disgusting."
After the performance, numerous internet trolls posted racist remarks about Beyoncé, resulting in the removal of the video from the internet at the time. That year, CMA executives were reportedly "concerned about the reaction to Beyoncé’s support and the support of the Dixie Chicks for the Black Lives Matter movement," as per TMZ.
Undeterred by any negative reactions, Beyoncé is now forging ahead with the next chapter of her era, with Act II serving as a continuation to her chart-topping danceable album Renaissance, which made its debut in July 2022. Earlier this week, Beyoncé hinted at the presence of several "surprises" on her upcoming album.
She expressed her eagerness to collaborate with "brilliant" artists whom she holds in high regard. "I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound," she wrote to fans. Cowboy Carter drops March 29th (mark your calendars).
