"Beyoncé's Country Music Journey: From New Singles to Black Cultural Roots"
Beyoncé has released two country-infused songs, "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages," as part of her long-anticipated "Act II" project, signaling a potential full-length country album. The singles pay homage to Beyoncé's Southern roots and feature banjo, steel guitar, and powerful organs, drawing on Black cultural influences in country music. The release follows the success of Beyoncé's previous country song "Daddy Lessons" and is expected to further redefine and elevate the genre, despite historical resistance faced by Black artists in country music. Music experts anticipate that Beyoncé's album will spotlight and honor Black artistry in the genre, akin to Ray Charles's impact on country music with "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music."