Beyonce made history again when Billboard announced on Tuesday that her latest release “Texas Hold ‘Em” reached No. 1 on its Hot Country Songs chart. She’s the first Black woman to get that No. 1 spot. Beyonce released two country-heavy tracks on February 11 during a surprise Super Bowl announcement about the upcoming release of her new album Act II, the follow up to her 2022 Renaissance album. The single is No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart, as well.
Beyonce’s other country single, “16 Carriages” is No. 9 on the Hot Country Songs chart and No. 38 on the Hot 100 chart.
Beyonce’s entrance into the country genre has sparked many conversations about other Black artists making country music as well as controversy about whether the country industry would be welcoming to Beyonce, an artist mostly known for pop music. The controversy only grew after an Oklahoma country station went viral when it refused to play “Texas Hold Em” after it was requested by fans. After backlash from fans and thousands of requests, the station backtracked claiming they didn’t realize the song was a country song and that they didn’t have access to it. The station has since begun playing the song.
Since Beyonce released “Texas Hold Em” and “16 Carriages” country music fans have taken to social media to hype up their favorite Black country artists. Artists like Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and The Kentucky Gentleman have gone viral as a result. One could say that Beyonce entering the genre is putting the spotlight on other Black country artists where they’ve otherwise gone unnoticed.
