Beyoncé has accomplished a stunning feat once more. Her recent album, “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” topped the Billboard Country Albums list, earning her the first Black woman to do so since the chart’s start in 1964.
The album also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 across all genres, making it her ninth chart-topping album.
According to Luminate data, “Cowboy Carter” sold 407,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week, including on-demand streams, as reported by AP.
Beyoncé has challenged prejudices by enjoying country music as a Black woman, despite its conventional link with whiteness.
Beyoncé’s venture into country music began with her cowboy-themed entrance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, which conveyed a strong statement.
She also demonstrated her hybrid country style during the Super Bowl with two songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” setting the way for Cowboy Carter’s release.
In February, her song “Texas Hold ‘Em” topped the country radio chart, becoming her the first Black woman to do so.
The singer recently received the Innovator Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. During her acceptance speech, she urged “all the record labels, every radio station, and every award show” to be more open to innovation in the music industry and more welcoming of unconventional ideas.
“Tonight you called me an innovator, and for that I’m very grateful,” she remarked. “Innovation begins with a dream. However, you must next put your desire into action, which can be a difficult journey. Being an innovator means perceiving what others say is impossible. Being an inventor frequently results in criticism, which tests your mental fortitude.”
“My hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art, with no preconceived notions,” she said.