Another day, another killing. On April 8, Beyoncé debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart with "Cowboy Carter," becoming the first black woman to win this honor in the 60-year history of the chart.
Bey's album, released on March 29, sold over 407,000 copies in its first week and topped the Billboard 200 Album Chart, the US/Folk Album Chart and the Top Album Sales Chart.
Cowboy Carter has won commercial and critical acclaim working with artists including Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Willie Nelson and Linda Martell.
Bey's foray into country music was also welcomed by the "BeyHive," who were quick to celebrate the chart milestone. "Breaking barriers again," one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another commented: "Nearly 30 years into her career, making history again."
This is just the latest example of Beyoncé making history during her "yeehaw era." In February, she became the first Black female artist to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with the album's lead single, "Texas Hold 'Em." The song also topped the Billboard Hot 100 later that month, making Bey the first black woman to have a No. 1 country song.
Cowboy Carter was born out of an experience at the 2016 Country Music Awards when Beyoncé "felt unwelcome." During the ceremony, she performed "Lessons from Daddy" with the Chicks (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks).
“Because of that experience, I learned more about the history of country music and researched our rich musical archives,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s great to see how music unites so many people around the world while also amplifying the voices of some who have dedicated their lives to educating us about the history of music.”
On April 2, just days after the album's release, Bey won the coveted Innovator Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, where she emphasized the importance of enjoying music "without preconceived notions."
"I hope we can be more open to the joy and liberation that art can bring," she said on stage, before asking "every record label, every radio station, every awards show" to embrace "those with an innovative spirit" . They dedicated their lives and art to creating transformation. "
