Beyoncé Makes History With “Cowboy Carter” Album Topping Country Charts

Queen Bey has once again proven why she’s a reigning queen of music! Billboard announced on April 8 that the singer’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, has soared to the No. 1 spot on the Top Country Albums chart, marking her as the first-ever Black female artist to achieve this milestone since the list’s inception in January 1964.

The album, which dropped on March 29, also dominated the Billboard 200, Americana/Folk Albums, and Top Album Sales charts, selling an impressive 407,000 equivalent album units in its debut week.

In February, Beyoncé made history by becoming the first Black female artist to top the Hot Country Songs chart with the lead single, Texas Hold ‘Em, dethroning Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ duet, I Remember Everything.

In a press release following the album’s release, Beyoncé revealed an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, and Stevie Wonder, among others.

While the album features elements and themes of country music, Beyoncé clarified prior to its release, “This ain’t a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”

At the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards earlier this month, Beyoncé was honored with the Innovator Award. During her acceptance speech, she emphasized the importance of embracing innovation and breaking free from preconceived notions in the music industry.

“Tonight you called me an innovator, and for that I’m very grateful. Innovation starts with a dream. But then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy. Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength,” she stated.

She urged industry stakeholders to embrace out-of-the-box ideas and to be more open to innovation and accept more out-of-the-box ideas.

“My hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art, with no preconceived notions,” she stated.

The star teased Act II: Cowboy Carter, her ninth studio album in a Super Bowl commercial in February. She announced at the time her plans to release the second act of Renaissance.

Shortly after that commercial aired, Beyoncé released two singles from the album, Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages.