By Daniel Edu
Beyoncé has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first black woman to reach the number one spot on the US country chart with her single “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The song skyrocketed to the top after its surprise release, along with the single “16 Carriages,” during a Super Bowl announcement of her upcoming album, Renaissance Act II.
This achievement also makes Beyoncé the second solo female artist to debut at number one, following Taylor Swift in 2021 with her re-recordings of “Love Story” and “All Too Well.” Additionally, Beyoncé is the first woman to claim the number one position on both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts since their inception in 1958.
Joining a select group of artists including Ray Charles, Billy Ray Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and Morgan Wallen, Beyoncé’s feat emphasizes her versatility and impact across different music genres. The chart positions, covering the week leading up to February 15, saw “Texas Hold ‘Em” downloaded 39,000 times and streamed 19.2 million times in the US within just four days of tracking.
Both “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” will be featured on Beyoncé’s upcoming ninth studio album, Renaissance Act II, scheduled for release on March 29.
Country music, historically grappling with inclusion, witnessed an Oklahoma country radio station initially refusing to play “Texas Hold ‘Em.” This sparked a viral campaign on social media, drawing attention to the ongoing challenges faced by black musicians in the country genre. The incident resonates with previous controversies, such as the removal of rapper Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” from Billboard’s country chart in 2019, despite hitting number one.
Beyoncé’s groundbreaking achievement highlights the evolving landscape of the country music genre and underscores her influence as an artist capable of transcending musical boundaries.
