Beyoncé is prepared for ‘pushback’ over her decision to release a country-inspired album – but the music superstar ‘doesn’t care’ about the reaction of those who want her to stay in a ‘narrow lane,’ according to insiders.
The 32-time Grammy winner all but broke the internet during Sunday night’s Super Bowl as she announced the upcoming release of her new project, with the first two singles – 16 Carriages and Texas Hold ‘Em – made immediately available for fans to devour.
As the world awaits the release of the full record on March 29, a source has revealed that the 42-year-old star will not be swayed by any negative reactions she might receive from detractors as she is focused on shining a ‘spotlight the contributions African-Americans made to the genre.’
‘She knows there will be pushback by those who want her to stay in a narrow lane but she doesn’t care,’ a source told DailyMail.com.
Beyoncé is prepared for ‘pushback’ over her decision to release a country album, a source tells DailyMail.com
The music superstar reportedly ‘doesn’t care’ about the reaction of those who want her to stay in a ‘narrow lane’
‘In fact, it has made her more daring. By the time the summer is over, her detractors will know the difference between yee and haw.’
She faced harsh criticism from Azealia Banks less than 24 hours after her announcement, with the rapper branding her foray into the country music scene ‘narcissistic.’
‘You’re setting yourself up to be ridiculed again,’ she wrote on Instagram on Monday. ‘There’s a theatrical element to country music!!! Them critics are not just going to accept an ugly blond wig and bullying from jay-z !!! It’s giving big time musical grift.
‘Yes black girls can make country music… but you’re just really not hitting the button…. Beyoncé please stop the madness. The gay baiting, the overtly narcissistic attempts to lazily encroach into a genre *you think* your popularity is gonna gain accolades for you in… You’re looking like food sis.’
This is not the first time Texas-born Beyoncé has highlighted her Southern music roots after delighting fans with her 2016 track, Daddy Lessons.
Music lovers immediately praised the twangy track when it featured on her critically-acclaimed album, Lemonade.
The star went on to give a dazzling live performance of the single at the 50th Country Music Association Awards in 2016, alongside legendary country band, The Chicks.
The source added: ‘Bey was given the motivation to make a country record after seeing how many of her fans loved her single Daddy Lessons and her performance at the CMAs.’
The 32-time Grammy winner has announced the upcoming release of her country-inspired project, with the first two singles made available for music lovers on Sunday night
However, this is not the first time the Texas-born singer has highlighted her Southern music roots
She delighted fans with her 2016 track, Daddy Lessons. She could be seen horse riding in the music video which is exclusively available on Tidal
While many did love the CMA performance, it was not without controversy at the time.
The Houston native’s performance was posted on CMA’s social media accounts after it aired, prompting a shocking slew of viciously racist remarks in the comments, such as ‘Beyoncé overrated racist n****r b***h.’
The posts were then purged from the official Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, as well as the official CMA website.
The CMA later reposted the performance on Facebook after an outpouring of fury from fans – only to encounter more offensive comments.
Beyoncé submitted Daddy Lessons for the country category at the 2016 Grammy Awards – but it was rejected by the Recording Academy’s country music committee.
If the song had made it through, it would have been eligible for honors such as best country song and country solo performance.
Beyoncé is taking the opportunity to highlight the African-American roots of country music with her new project.
‘She wanted to use her platform to spotlight the contributions African-Americans have made to genres they have been shut out of,’ the insider added. ‘She spent months writing and researching.’
The star went on to give a dazzling live performance of the single at the 50th Country Music Association Awards in 2016, alongside legendary country band, The Chicks
When the performance was posted on CMA’s social media accounts, many were shocked by the slew of viciously racist remarks made about the star
Indeed, fans are already praising the star for highlighting the talents of Rhiannon Giddens by having the celebrated American folk music star playing the banjo on Texas Hold ‘Em.
It appears the star’s work is already being more warmly embraced this time around, with musician K. Michelle throwing her support behind the new move after fans asked if she was concerned about Beyoncé entering the genre.
‘Why would anyone need to check on me. I’m one of the greatest African American country singers of all times with no album even out,’ she wrote.
‘Y’all been mentioning me ALL night. I’m just happy to be spoke about in my genre. I love Bey and will be supporting her like I always do.’
Country Music Television Awards host Cody Alan also heaped praise on Beyoncé, claiming her music could attract new fans to the genre.
Speaking to TMZ, he claimed that it was ‘so cool’ that a musician of the star’s ‘caliber’ would want to make country music.
Meanwhile, the singer has now become the first Black female artist to top the Apple Music US Country chart, as well as the first Black female artist to occupy the first and second spot on the chart simultaneously.
The Crazy In Love hitmaker announced that Renaissance Act ii is set to drop on March 29 with a series of video teasers
Beyoncé’s new album will serve as the follow-up to 2022’s Renaissance, and is currently being referred to as ‘Act ii.’
Along with the two new singles on Sunday, the star released breathtaking artwork, which showed a very scantily clad Beyoncé posing without pants.
Sharing the images with her 320 million followers, she wrote: ‘TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES out now.’
The 16 Carriages artwork was a closeup black and white image of the singer in a black cowboy hat.
She then shared a video teaser showing the star driving an old yellow taxi through a desert. The Texas license plate on the vehicle read: ‘HOLD ‘EM.’
At one point the camera focused on the billboard of an exaggerated caricature of Bey in red cowboy boots, lingerie, and a cowboy hat.
While lying on her side, she held up one waving hand, and in black font against a yellow background were the words ‘Texas Hold ‘Em.’
Beyoncé has not issued any statement about the upcoming album. DailyMail.com has contacted her representatives for comment.
