Everything you need to know about Beyoncé's brand new album
Beyoncé, the most powerful artist with more Grammy wins than any other artist in history, recently released her brand-new album, 'Cowboy Carter' which quickly took over the internet, reaching number one on Spotify and Apple Music. Here's everything you need to know about the record-breaking album...
Beyoncé has been a versatile showbiz fixture for nearly three decades, but for all the caps she's worn, the Houston-bred megastar's cowboy hat has stayed within reach: Queen Bey has always been country.
READ: Beyonce's 'Cowboy Carter' drips history -- and joy
But even the powerful artist - who has more Grammy wins than any other artist in the business, ever - has brushed up against the overwhelmingly white, male gatekeepers of country music who have long dictated the genre's perceived boundaries.
Beyoncé and Dolly Parton
The 'Break My Soul' singer's rendition of 'Jolene', originally sung and written by the legendary Dolly Parton, takes a slightly more aggressive and funny approach to the classic.
Instead of pleading for 'Jolene' to stay away from her man, Beyoncé's rendition instead warns the redhead to stay away from her husband.
READ: Beyoncé releases powerful rendition of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'
"You don't want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else," she sings before reminding Jolene that she's "still a banjee country b*tch from Louisiana".
Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus
One song that has stood out is 'II Most Wanted' which features Dolly Patron's goddaughter and a fellow Southern Queen, Miley Cyrus.
Amazon Music described the song as "literally perfect".
Beyoncé seamlessly blends her socio-political commentary with a full-blown party, a celebration of sex, mirth and her own self-love.
'Ya Ya' is a sultry, psychedelic soul mashup that manages to sample both Nancy Sinatra's 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin' and The Beach Boys, while still dropping point after point.
"My family lived and died in America," she belts. "Whole lotta red and then white and blue/ History can't be erased."
"Are you lookin' for a new America / Are you tired, workin' time-and-a-half for half the pay, ya-ya."
And, 'Sweet Honey Buckiin' incorporates hip hop and house with strums on loop, among her songs that hat-tip to the first act of "Renaissance," which celebrated electronica's Black origins and evolution.
Tanner Adell, Willie Jones and Shaboozey, all acclaimed Black country artists, feature on "Cowboy Carter," as do Miley Cyrus - Parton's goddaughter - and Post Malone, stars who've also drifted between pop and country.
'Texas Hold 'Em,' the album's lead single, includes Rhiannon Giddens - who often uses her platform to celebrate the African American roots of country - on the banjo and viola.
No matter how Nashville reacts to 'Cowboy Carter,' Beyonce has made it clear she'll have the last word.
"This ain't a Country album," she posted recently.
"This is a 'Beyonce' album."
Breakfast with Martin Bester and popular singer, Brendan Peyper, did the viral 'Texas Hold Em' TikTok dance challenge.
Take a look below:
@jacabreakfast #HowHardCanItBe to do the #Beyonce #TexasHoldEm #DanceChallenge featuring @Brendan Peyper 😂 How did the team do? #Fyp #Dance #ForYouPage #2024 #Trend #Viral #OpMyEish #MusicTok #Gauteng #Music #JacaBreakfast #Challenge ♬ TEXAS HOLD 'EM - Beyoncé
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