In a historic moment for the country music genre, Beyonce has become the first Black woman to top the US charts in this category with her song “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Released during the Super Bowl, the track has debuted at number one on the Billboard “Hot Country Songs” chart. A second single from Beyonce, “16 Carriages,” has also made its mark by ranking ninth on the same chart.
This achievement marks a significant milestone, as Billboard noted, “Prior to the triumph for ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ no Black woman, or female known to be biracial, had previously topped” the “Hot Country Songs” chart. The achievement underscores the ongoing discussions about the representation and recognition of Black artists in the predominantly white country music industry.
The controversy around genre and race in country music was highlighted when Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” was removed from the country charts in 2019, despite its popularity. This incident brought attention to the contributions of Black artists to the genre, both historically and in the present day, with artists like Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer gaining recognition.
Beyonce’s upcoming album, set to be released on March 29, is eagerly anticipated as “Act II,” following her acclaimed “Renaissance” album, which celebrated disco and house music’s roots in Black, queer, and working-class communities.