I am going to resist the urge to punctuate every sentence in this post with an exclamation mark… but COWBOY CARTER is ten days away. The Queen, Beyoncé, is counting down to act ii with an epic album cover reveal… 

 

And we’re talking about Beyoncé here, so the standard is impossible for anyone else but her – but what I’m trying to say is that, well, we’ve come to expect SO MUCH from Beyoncé and her visuals. But she never, ever, EVER disappoints. LOOK THIS MAGNIFICENCE. 

 

The way she is still while everything around her is in motion. Still like a Barbie! I actually thought this might be a Barbie when I first saw it because she’s so perfectly posed. And then there are the other details, like how the colour of her hair matches the horse, the symmetry between her flowing hair and the horse’s mane and the flag. And, I’m sure, and I can’t wait to read and learn about it, the layers and layers of symbolism embedded in this image. Because of course Beyoncé’s work is never surface-deep. It is a cavern of knowledge that she is sharing as both student and professor.

 

 So this caption, this loooooonngggg ass caption, from a woman who rarely captions anything, but here she is, telling us about COWBOY CARTER and her inspirations and her motivation:

“It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.”

Many believe she is referring to her 2016 Country Music Associate performance of “Daddy Lessons” with the Dixie Chicks and the reaction that ensued. This is Beyoncé channeling that experience into music. 

 

This is Beyoncé telling us that she studied, that she did the work, and a studied and prepared Beyoncé is an indomitable force. She is here to make sure everyone knows about the musicians, the artists, and educators who have been here and who will not be erased. Including herself. 

“This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album.”

When the Queen refers to herself in the third person, we better all be ready!

Speaking of threes though, we’re now two horses in for a total of three, right? 

 

Reneigh was RENAISSANCE. And people have been asking about the name for act ii. 

Apparently… it’s…. 

I am screaming. CHARDONNEIGH, I can’t, I can’t, I live, I die, I love her so much. 

 

And again, I can’t wait for the analysis, the think-pieces, the expanded understanding of this genre of music that she and others have been reclaiming. For now, if you haven’t already, I watched this TikTok the other day that theorised why Beyoncé named the album COWBOY CARTER. There is always intention, so much though, so much consideration. A name is never just a name, it’s a lesson. 

@beysus.christ

Allow me to enlighten you! Act ii Cowboy Carter, The Carter Family, Leslie Riddle, and whu Bey may be opening in Mexico #actii #cowboycarter #beyonce

♬ original sound - Liittle Debbie