Dear Gossips,   

“Earned all this money, but they never take the country out me” – I know I don’t have to tell you who said that and when and where she did it. And now we know that that was a promise. 

 

Eight years later Beyoncé is about to release a country album on March 29 as act ii after her renaissance, with two lead singles dropping during the Super Bowl – “Texas Hold’ Em and “16 Carriages”. When the Queen moves, there’s always noise. Certain country music stations have been accused of refusing to play the music. 

Billboard confirmed yesterday that while pop radio stations have picked up the tracks, country radio was slow to come onboard. Not surprising at all. 

 

But it’s 2024, I’m sure you know what’s been happening. People are calling and writing and asking for it, people are turning up the heat on country. And remember, never mind Beyoncé and Black artists putting out country music, country radio is already problematic for how little support they give female artists, period. It is rare for a country music station to play two songs back to back by female artists. Billboard reported last year that it only happens 0.5% of the time on average. And now, it’s Beyoncé, the Queen of All Culture, the most influential artist of our time, telling the country music industry about itself. 

 

Remember the sh-tstorm that went down over Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”? That was a song that would not be denied – and its momentum started on TikTok. The same is happening with Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em”. It’s getting bigger and bigger on TikTok. 

@pokemonmasterzo

all of a sudden im looking at ford f150s on fb marketplace #beyonce #texasholdem #truck #country #fyp

♬ TEXAS HOLD 'EM - Beyoncé
@sagethomass

she ate #beyonce #texasholdem #beyhive

♬ original sound - amethystastrohouse
 
@dannypetersmith

BEE MF HAWWE WHY DOES THIS FIT SO PERFECTLY YEE MF HAWWW HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA #fyp #beyonce #texasholdem #hannahmontana #hoedownthrowdown @Beyoncé @Miley Cyrus @Hannah Montana

♬ TEXAS HOLD 'EM - Beyoncé

Here’s the tweet that made me laugh the hardest. 

 

But Beyoncé’s music is moving people in different ways. They’re dancing, they’re grooving, but they’re also getting deep into their feelings. We are posting a beautiful essay later today from by Violeta that, for me, really captures that spirit of the genre – specific storytelling that has universal resonance. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Meanwhile Beyoncé shut down New York Fashion Week yesterday when she, Miss Tina, and Solange showed up front row at LUAR to support Julez. 

How is he so grown!?

Julez walks the runway at the Luar show during February 2024 New York Fashion Week on February 13, 2024 in New York City
 

You know who was the busiest at that show last night though? Julius! As you can imagine, Beyoncé’s attendance caused a meltdown. That’s why Julius is always there. Look at the ferocity in his expression!

And how many cowboy hats are we going to see by the end of act ii? 

Yours in gossip, 

Lainey