When Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, better known as Beyoncé, released her latest album, "Cowboy Carter," she reclaimed country music for black voices. Since then, "Cowboy Carter" has shattered expectations and broken numerous barriers, making a profound impact during such challenging times of race and identity.
Beyoncé pays homage to iconic and underappreciated country artists via the 27 song tracks features, including Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, and Dolly Parton.
From the very first track, “American Requiem,” Beyoncé makes it very clear why this album was created. After her televised performance at the 2016 Country Music Awards, which happened to be her first-ever country performance, she was met with backlash about not being "country" enough, in addition to receiving racist comments telling her to stay in her own (musical) lane. "Requiem" celebrates breaking with old traditions and forming new ones. This requiem, a traditionally religious remembrance of the dead, is Beyoncé’s homage to the black voices that contributed to the genre of this country and were silenced. This song evolves as a chant for many voices, and ends with her saying “Amen.”
One of the stand-out tracks was the remake of “Jolene,” with Dolly Parton. This track, which encountered mixed reviews, was Beyoncé's rendition on Dolly’s original anthem that topped country music charts in the mind 70s. A pattern throughout the album was Beyoncé reinvigorating songs and bringing a new sound to them. Just as she did with “Jolene,” Beyoncé also redid the iconic cover of "Blackbird," originally written by Paul McCartney. McCartney, once said, “This was a song from me to a black woman, experiencing these problems in the States: ‘Let me encourage you to keep trying, to keep your faith; there is hope.’"
While "Cowboy Carter" is undoubtedly a reclamation of black voices, it is also a deeply personal exploration. Tracks like “Daughter,” and “Alligator Tears,” delve into her embracing vulnerability through the album. Much like her first album (Act I), "Renaissance," she is touching on identity and the complex feelings of loving either oneself or their partner. All the while she delivers smooth vocal performances that are commanding.
Musically, the album’s production is a standout feature. The listeners can get a sense of country vibes within the string instruments, particularly the crisp-playing banjo, which is based in African roots. NPR reported that Knowles-Carter utilized Black American musician (and Pulitzer Prize winner) Rhiannon Giddens in the album, who happened to be a part of a group of musicians and musicologists looking into the African origins of the banjo, as well as the importance of the Black music legacy.
Perhaps the most striking thing about "Cowboy Carter" is the love letter Beyoncé writes to overlooked black artists. Artists like Linda Martell, and Willie Nelson take away the show for the album. Martell, who released only one album, 1970's "Color Me Country," was one of country’s first Black women stars and the first Black female artist to enter Billboard’s Top 25. Martell’s career stalled after she left her old label, Plantation Records; she now has explained that she was unfairly blackballed in the industry by the label’s owner, who resented her for wanting to strike out on her own musically. It’s the history that is learned that comes along with "Cowboy Carter." Beyoncé has created, and reclaimed a piece of history that will have future generations embracing down the line.
