Beyonce becomes first Black woman to claim top spot on Billboard's country music chart

Source: Associated Press

Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to claim top spot on Billboard’s country music chart

Updated 4:50 PM EST, February 21, 2024

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé made history once again: The superstar singer has become the first Black woman to top Billboard’s country music chart.

The Grammy winner achieved the feat after her new single “Texas Hold ‘Em” reached No. 1 on the country airplay chart this week. She dropped the song on Feb. 11 — during the Super Bowl — along with her other single “16 Carriages,” which debuted at No. 9 on the same chart.

Both songs are expected to be featured on Beyoncé's upcoming, country-themed album, which is referred to as “act ii,” on March 29. It’s a follow-up offering to her 2022 album “Renaissance,” which is frequently referred to as “Act I: Renaissance.”

Beyoncé announced the full-length new album after a Verizon commercial she starred in aired during the Super Bowl this month.

Beyoncé is also the first woman to claim the top spot on the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts since both began in 1958, according to Billboard. The only other acts who have topped both include Justin Bieber, Billy Ray Cyrus and Ray Charles.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/beyonce-country-music-texas-hold-em-65daed689172543369b4d080580da3c6


Beyoncé's highly anticipated new album is due to be released next month (Getty Images)

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Source: BBC

Beyoncé: Renaissance star loved country music as a baby, dad reveals

21 February 2024

By Luke Wolstenholme & Riyah Collins
BBC Newsbeat

In case you've been living under a rock, Beyoncé is releasing country music and it's already topping charts.

Her new hit Texas Hold 'Em is the first song by a black woman to debut at top spot on the Billboard country chart.

The pivot from R&B and pop may have come as a surprise to some but her dad thinks it's always been in her blood.

Dr Mathew Knowles tells BBC Asian Network that as a child Beyoncé would spend time with his parents in Alabama who loved country music.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-68357738