Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter': Who are the featured Black country artists? | Mashable.
Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter': Who are the featured Black country artists?
Credit: Mashable composite; Getty Images / Kevin Mazur / Michael Kovac / Jason Davis / Penske Media / Christopher Polk |
Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter represents a lot of things for Black culture. Not only is the new album from the 32-time Grammy winner a love letter to country music's rich Black roots, it's also a reclamation of a genre that was only thought to be for a certain group of people.
Country music owes much of its sound and history to Black musicians of the past like Linda Martell, Lil Hardin Armstong, Jimmie Rodger, and Charley Pride. Thus, just like she did with Renaissance in highlighting the Black history of dance and house music, Beyonce is using her album to spotlight a new generation of Black country artists.
In case you aren't familiar, we've got the rundown on the same of the names featured across Cowboy Carter, along with some tracks of theirs that are worth checking out.
Tanner Adell
Featured along with three other artists on this list on the track "BLACKBIIRD," Adell is a Gen-Z country artist that BET has called the "New Queen of Glam Country."
Alongside her country roots, Adell's style is a distinctive blend of glam country, hip-hop, and even K-pop. Since moving to Nashville in 2021 to pursue her music career, the 27-year-old has a massive following on social media with close to 690,000 followers on TikTok and another 575,000 on Instagram. Having grown up in the Mormon church and spending time in Sweden on a mission trip, Adell has created an unusual path to potential country music stardom.
Put this on your radar
"Love You a Little Bit"
"Buckle Bunny"
"FU-150"
"Trailer Park Barbie"
Regardless of where she came from, Adell's journey is more than just tunes: it's about challenging stereotypes and making room for Black women in country music. Adell's style may raise some eyebrows among traditionalists, but she's paving the way for a more inclusive, diverse country music world.
Willie Jones
A country singer from Shreveport, Louisiana, Jones got his start as a contestant on the US version of X-Factor in 2012. Now, almost 12 years later, he's dueting with Beyoncé on the track "JUST FOR FUN." The song itself is admittedly not fun. It's about acceptance and learning to live with pain — it's hauntingly dark, with Jones' voice fittingly exceptionally well with Beyonce's.
Put this on your radar
"American Dream"
"Down by the Riverside"
"Back Porch"
"Slow Cooking"
Just like Adell, Jones is adept at blending genres — a blend of crunchy rock country mixed with trap. While a bit lesser than known than some on this list, Jones is making his way through country music, having released his debut album Something to Dance To just last year.
Tiera Kennedy
Another featured artist on "BLACKBIIRD," Kennedy is an Alabama-raised country musician who grew up around R&B and local bluegrass sounds. After moving to Nashville, Kennedy was invited by her mentor Shaina Twain to perform on Real Country, a music competition show for up-and-coming country artists.
Put this on your radar
"Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist"
"Alabama Nights"
"Miles"
"Gentleman"
Despite not winning that competition, Kennedy quickly found her own voice with hits like "Found It In You" and "Jesus, My Mama, My Therapist," which perfectly blends pop country with bluegrass twang. Kennedy is currently the host of The Tiera Show on Apple Music Country — and is even signed by the same label where Taylor Swift got her start.
Reyna Roberts
Roberts is another country music starlet who appeared in "BLACKBIIRD," who describes herself as the "Princess of Outlaw Country." Her 2020 single "Stompin' Grounds" is an absolute bop that fits perfectly in the genre of "country rock that plays before an MNF game." Her music is more than that though, with songs like "One Way Street" and "We Said I Do" combining slick 90's R&B production with Roberts' powerful and versatile voice.
Put this on your radar
"Stompin' Grounds"
"Louisiana"
"Hell and Back"
"Miranda"
Like Jones, Roberts is less well-known than others in the group of artists featured on Cowboy Carter. She's slowly making a name for herself, and hopefully, with 2023's release of her debut album Bad Girl Bible Vol. 1, she's ever closer to breaking out to the mainstream.
Brittney Spencer
Spencer is the last of the rising Black women of country featured on "BLACKBIIRD." Spencer describes herself as a "plus-size Black girl from Baltimore City, in Nashville doing country music." And while she acknowledges that it sounds "weird as hell," she's gotten high praise from the likes of Maren Morris and Amanda Shires for her beautiful vocal performances.
Put this on your radar
"My Stupid Life"
"Sober & Skinny"
"cowboy take me away"
"I Got Time"
Spencer just released her debut album My Stupid Life in January this year to rave reviews. Rolling Stone called the album "one of the most convincing country statements in a while." Suffice it to say, it's time to get on the Brittney Spencer hype train right now.
Shaboozey
Finally to round off the list is Shaboozey, who is featured on two songs on Cowboy Carter: "SPAGHETTII" and "SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN."
A Virginia native with Nigerian roots, Boozey has made waves as a genre-defying country artist who blends elements from hip-hop, Afrobeats, jazz, Americana, rock, country, and Western music. His unique sound reflects a wide range of influences, including Fela, Bob Dylan, Lead Belly, and Johnny Cash.
Put this on your radar
"Let it Burn"
"Tall Boy"
"Annabelle"
"Vegas"
Off that back of his features with Beyoncé, Boozey has announced his new album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, will be out May 31.
Topics Music
🤣🤣🤣 so glad I’m a metal head. Lol
ReplyDeleteHip-hop music and country music have quite a bit in common. They are both rooted in unique cultures. They both influence fashion. This is a great, healthy crossover. And, by the way, I have no doubt there are a lot of young country fans who enjoy hip-hop.
ReplyDeleteYes. It's about time.
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DeleteNo they’re not
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure they're NOT the first black country artists.
ReplyDeleteThis is them poking fun at country music.
ReplyDeleteWell, there is an awful lot to poke fun at
Deletehttps://media.tenor.co/LGM_R3koaCQAAAAC/yeehaw-cowbay.gif?t=AAYVMFgSYikEWYU-7gp3UQ&c=VjFfZmFjZWJvb2s&fbclid=IwAR0OgaISbDkedUok5mKr-2MOgogcFFvZCh8iot9Czqynv263qhm7jYOvhPE_aem_Aa0fsFrmMBUvZOgFJbE8sptulw1Zr3Rs4mImjMDagyrJaqqRQoSTUkSk3InDWWq3cLaRKMkVYtqp7uimRyC-bDAe
So they are bringing shallow self-obsessed and mentally deficient lyrics to Country Music?
ReplyDeleteCrap sounds, quick change the radio station.
ReplyDeletewithout voiceovers and amplifiers she sounds flat.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous!
ReplyDeletehttps://media1.tenor.co/m/dnq3VYUIOf8AAAAd/complete-trash-so-far-riggs.gif?c=VjFfZmFjZWJvb2tfd2ViY29tbWVudHM&fbclid=IwAR1GmAKy0Xpr8fXnxdAWQ9I9e90e34xLkkBz0oG4UmCKnJw_K3qMBlmBano_aem_Aa1c3HbXMY-NXuzxwHfWBDs0hMjuvImfZAEqxOASLrPa-9kcLb4ZfMiTXID3d599KYwX2P3EyXweLkecJI26-aCh
ReplyDeleteTo their credit, they are writing and producing their own content. It's not like they are posting GIFs or memes created by someone else.
Delete(Chuckle)
sounds like ur for pedos maybe ur next
Deletecongratulations! You’ve been awarded the Dumbest Response on the Internet for the day!!
DeleteThis got pathetic fast!!
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ReplyDeleteright lol
Delete5 Fingers for Marseille... One of the movies that inspired the album... Go watch it!
ReplyDelete#CulturalAppropriation
ReplyDeleteBlack people created country music. Go clap on 1 & 3
Deleteno they did not.
DeleteDid Mexico? 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteI don’t understand what you mean. I didn’t understand what the clap on one and three post meant either. You have to work on your communication skills. If you’ve got something on your mind, just try and say it plainly. Enough of trying to be fancy and clever, it’s not working.
DeleteWhy are you making racist assumptions about my name, racist?
DeleteNo one is denying that black music had a tremendous influence back then and now. But white culture borrowed from their music and some of their instruments and made their own unique forms of music. It's called cultural diffusion, and it has been happening for as long as groups of people interact. It is childish nonsense to claim exclusivity over any particular style, beat or instrument in music. It seems only certain communities take issue with this sort of things... communities in constant search of validity and value, yet always looking for it in the backyards of other communities. Hence the ridiculous irony of my original #CulturalAppropriation comment.
DeleteHow can you appropriate WHAT YOU ORIGINATE? Your argument is the very definition of non sequitur! I'll let you look that up. My 145 IQ is dropping from this "conversation".
Deletewhite country/cowboy music has elements of black music in it, but it’s its own unique brand and style and content and culture. That is what is being appropriated. Once again, I agree with what you’re saying. But you and I both know that it’s not true when the parties are reversed.certain groups complain loudly every time they feel their culture is being somehow co-opted or appropriate. It’s ridiculous and childish and me claiming this woman is culturally. Appropriating is as ridiculous as it is when you guys are constantly claiming it.
DeleteThe zeal of staying strong is needed. I've been investing with the wrong people thinking I found people I could trust but everything turned out bad, I was at the brink of giving up until I met ✅ Mr Theodore Mason
DeleteCountry is finally being revived and diversified. Black people elevate every form of music they touch and is actually where country music has it's roots, despite it being stolen, Either way, the album is great quality music and anyone who denies that it is well made, despite their preference, is just a hateful racist.
ReplyDeleteMany obviously don't know anything about the "roots" of country... The two offerings I have tried to listen to but only got halfway through are pop/rap nowhere near a "country" song... While it has nothing at all to do with "race", it's OK because ignorant bigots have called me "racist" most of my life... I loved Charley Pride! He was COUNTRY!! :)
DeleteHow was country music stolen? Music is basically for everyone.
DeleteDoes anyone really think that she is going to drop more country albums after this one? She'll make her money, probably get an award or two but that's it. She dropped the album to make a point and thumb her nose at the country music industry. Nothing more.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, you can't deny that those artists depicted here are very talented. That's probably part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteA cowboy hat or belt buckle does not make an "artist" country. This is all about Beyonce stirring the pot trying to make people say things against her so she can scream the R word again
ReplyDeleteWhat R word is that? In addition, how is she stirring the pot? She can sing whatever she chooses as a musical artist just like others can sing what they want.
DeleteWell then I will take off her cowboy hat, her belt buckle, those leather pants, G string... she can scream and roar again!
DeleteOf course. Anyone can make any type of music, but it doesn't mean everyone has to like it either. Just like Vanilla Ice doing rap. I'm sure the majority of black people thought he was a clown.
DeleteSorry but Buckle Bunny is not even close to country music!
ReplyDeleteWhy? If someone else sang it, I'm sure you'd love it.
DeleteI'd love to unbuckle that country bunny! According to the country charts. Bey IS country.
DeleteGo back to trying to singing ( if that's what you call it ) what made you famous! cause you suck at country!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't buy her record.
ReplyDeletewho cares. you either like it or you don't.
ReplyDeleteOh well I guess we should all just stop commenting, as per your logic.
Deletenobody. because they're not country artists.
ReplyDeletei wont purchase or support anything of this nature or community. thanks
ReplyDeleteCountry music is a genre, not a racial or ethnic group exclusivity. The merit of a song is its worth, no need to root or pitch for anyone 👌🏼👌🏼
ReplyDelete🤣 She took off to the coast of Croatia same week Ditty got sacked. Unknown location. 🤔
ReplyDeletehttps://media1.tenor.co/m/ptAhbUCYP2IAAAAd/shrug-oh-well.gif?c=VjFfZmFjZWJvb2tfd2ViY29tbWVudHM&fbclid=IwAR3hmceCg_N-CDOEb4w8TPsgM3N_Fq2o-hcR90KIvuxkv1kZgmdVluQKb70_aem_ATnKCypnqfRzclCAc79s6Em8_zmpOANi79pemdaVpBplt-G7v3-0gPUlpfse3pprRzDXzMvi6di2tqrVB9vvcogD
I can do without.
ReplyDeleteBlack folk taking country music back from wonderbreads... 😉
ReplyDeleteWhy mention their color?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it obvious?
😂
ReplyDeleteI enjoy what you share here on Facebook but we're not friends yet, I have tried several times to send the friend request but it's not going through. Do you mind trying from your side? I will be happy to be one of your friends. Thank God bless you. xoxoxo.🙏🙏🙏
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