Beyoncé ensured representation of Black country artists on her latest album “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” spotlighting Shaboozey in tracks like “Spaghettii” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin.”
Originally from Virginia, Shaboozey is a Nigerian-American artist acclaimed for blending hip-hop with country sounds. His track “Let It Burn” amassed over 8 million streams.
Recently, he revealed the music video for his newest single “Anabelle.” Anticipate his upcoming album “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going,” slated for release on May 31.
Shaboozey, signed with Empire, has expanded his presence in Nashville. He’s among the pioneering Black artists featured on “Cowboy Carter.”
Renowned country artist Linda Martell is also showcased on the track.
“Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they?” she says.
Beyoncé revealed her eighth studio album with a surprise Super Bowl commercial on Feb. 11. Alongside, she dropped her first two singles, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” igniting a frenzy online as fans celebrated the music’s homage to Black roots in country.
Both tracks amassed over 2 million views on YouTube within just two days. Beyoncé made history shortly after as the first Black woman to claim the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em.”Titled “Act II,” the album forms part of a trilogy.
The first installment, “Renaissance,” debuted on July 29, 2022, under her label Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. “Act III” is yet to be announced.
Prior to its debut, Beyoncé shared insights about “Cowboy Carter” on Instagram. Expressing gratitude for being the first Black woman atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, she voiced a desire for a future where an artist’s race is irrelevant in genre categorization.
The album, a five-year endeavor, emerged from a personal experience where Beyoncé felt unwelcome.
Likely alluding to her 2016 performance of “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks at the Country Music Association Awards, which sparked varied reactions on social media.
“But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive,” she wrote.
“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.”
She signed off with,
“This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”