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The 'revolt' against Beyonce


It is no secret that the release of a Beyonce album whether it is pre-announced or a surprise drop is bound to get the masses talking.The water-cooler talk can be both positive or negative. 

This is seemingly the case with the upcoming release of the second act, Cowboy Carter  in the three act Renaissance series that Beyonce has gifted us with.

The alternative album cover. Image via X @ColumbiaRecords

The Cowboy Carter album sees the reigning queen of music exploring a genre which is not new within her discography and that is country music. This innovative move has sparked praise and criticism alike.

The argument brought forward by the critics, most recently Azealia Banks, who is known for her very outspoken opinion, is that Beyonce is using 'victim mentality' to promote the album and to enter a market that will never embrace her.

It can be said that her foray into country music has not been greatly welcomed by the listeners of the genre. 

This resulted in the stakeholders of the genre doing their best to try and block the success of the two singles from the upcoming album which are 'Texas Hold Em' and '16 Carriages'. 

These efforts were in vain since 'Texas Hold Em' reached number one on the country charts resulting in another record for the singer.

The single cover for '16 Carriages'. Image via X @ColumbiaRecords

The biggest irony regarding this backlash against the album is that it was inspired by the mistreatment that Beyonce received at the Country Music Awards where she performed 'Daddy Lessons' alongside the Dixie Chicks.

The fact that is getting lost in this criticism of the singer is that she aims to educate through her music. When one looks at her discography since the Self-Titled album each release has had an underlying theme or narrative.

The previous Renaissance era explored a sub-culture which was known of and exploited yet never celebrated or given its flowers. 
The upcoming album aims to highlight the existence of individuals of colour within the western/ country theme. The title of the album is an indicator of this.

The Cowboy Carter album tracklist which samples famed country song 'Jolene'. Image via Instagram @Beyonce

I am personally looking forward to the release of the album next week. If the two singles are an indicator then the album is bound to be a great body of work.

I will naturally be doing a write up of the album which I look forward to producing it for you as readers of Pop_Cultured .

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