More Than A Magazine, A Movement
Beyoncé at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on April 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. Daphne Brooks
Occupying space as a powerful and beautiful Black woman with progressive politics, it is no wonder Beyoncé has stated that she felt “unwelcome.” This event sparked her creative juices to embark on a “deeper dive” into the origins of country music, to essentially reclaim her space within a genre that seemed to reject her presence. .
The vocal arrangement further evokes the Black female vocality of legends like Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, while the background sounds of her primal screams, grunts, and hollers recall the likes of Black rock-and-roll legends like Little Richard, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and even Prince. Beyoncé has done her musical homework here.
This disapproval also speaks to the musical expectation of relying on Black women’s power vocals in service to the nation , as with Whitney Houston’s on her unmatched rendition of the national anthem during the Super Bowl in the wake of the Persian Gulf War and her iconic cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” fromsoundtrack. It’s quite intentional that Dolly Parton’s introduction of “Jolene” follows a country ditty titled “Bodyguard.
Beyoncé suggests ‘country’ is more than “rodeo” patriotism and flag-waving. It is all of us coming together, melding our voices, our dance styles, our musical cultures together, rooted in an African American rebel spirit that has fought tooth and nail for our inclusion in this wider project of American nationhood.
By the time we reach the latter sequence of songs on the album—“Riverdance,” “II Hands II Heaven,” and “Tyrant,” as well as the penultimate “Sweet Honey Buckin’”—we feel ourselves transitioning from the country past to the dance music future – the sound that came to definewas initially planned for Act I, but after the pandemic, she rightly recognized that the world was ready to dance again, hence her releasingis full and impressive.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Countdown to ‘Cowboy Carter’: Where to Buy Beyoncé -Approved Cowboy Boots, Cowboy Hats & More Western GearGet your boots ready, Cowboy Carter drops March 29. Here’s where to buy Beyoncé-approved Cowboy boots, cowboy hats and other western gear.
Read more »
Beyoncé says new 'Cowboy Carter' album inspired by backlash to her entering country genreDaysia Tolentino is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News.
Read more »
Beyoncé Said Cowboy Carter Album Inspired By Not Feeling Welcomed In Country Music'This ain’t a Country album. This is a 'Beyoncé' album,' the singer wrote in a lengthy Instagram post about her new record.
Read more »
Beyoncé ‘Did Not Feel Welcomed’ in Country — ‘Cowboy Carter’ Emerged From Those LimitationsBeyoncé has shared a statement detailing the origin of her forthcoming album 'Cowboy Carter,' inspired by her past experienced with country music.
Read more »
Beyoncé reveals the name of upcoming country album, 'Cowboy Carter'Beyoncé reveals the name of her upcoming country album, 'Cowboy Carter.' It will be released March 29.
Read more »
Beyoncé Reveals Name of Country Album, ‘Cowboy Carter’The second act ofBeyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ project is coming — ‘Cowboy Carter.’ This time, it’s a country album. When is it coming out? Who will be featured on it? Do you have to get a cowboy hat? We’re here to answer your questions.
Read more »