Beyoncé Makes History with Country Hit “Texas Hold ‘Em”

Beyoncé has once again proven her versatility and dominance in the music industry by scoring a historic No. 1 hit with her country song “Texas Hold ‘Em“. The song, which is from her upcoming album Renaissance: Act II, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 26, 2024, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to achieve this feat with a country song.

“Texas Hold ‘Em” is a catchy and upbeat tune that pays homage to Beyoncé’s roots in Houston, Texas, and celebrates her love for the Lone Star State. The song features references to rodeos, barbecues, cowboys, and poker, as well as a sample of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene“. Parton herself praised the song and Beyoncé on Twitter, saying “I’m so proud of my girl Beyoncé for bringing some country flavor to the world. She’s a true queen and a Texas treasure. Yee-haw!“

The song also made history by topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first woman to top both that chart and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart since they began in 1958. Beyoncé previously topped the latter chart with several of her songs, including “Crazy in Love“, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)“, “Formation“, and “Savage Remix” with Megan Thee Stallion.

Beyoncé’s fans, known as the Beyhive, showed their support for the song by streaming, downloading, and requesting it on radio stations. The song also sparked a viral TikTok dance challenge, where users showed off their moves to the chorus of the song. The challenge has been participated by celebrities such as Lizzo, Cardi B, and Lil Nas X.

However, not everyone was happy with Beyoncé’s crossover to country music. Some country radio stations refused to play the song, claiming that it was not “authentic” or “traditional” enough for their listeners. Some critics also accused Beyoncé of “cultural appropriation” or “genre-hopping” for her own benefit. Beyoncé has not responded to these criticisms, but she has expressed her appreciation for country music and its influence on her artistry in several interviews.

Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” is the lead single from her upcoming album Renaissance: Act II, which is expected to be released in April 2024. The album is a country-themed sequel to her previous album Renaissance: Act I, which was released in November 2023 and featured songs inspired by different genres and eras of music, such as jazz, disco, rock, and hip-hop. Beyoncé has described the album as a “musical journey” and a “celebration of diversity and creativity“.

Beyoncé is one of the most successful and influential artists of all time, with 28 Grammy Awards, 26 MTV Video Music Awards, and over 200 million records sold worldwide. She is also known for her activism, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship, as well as her role as a wife and mother of three children. With her latest achievement, Beyoncé has once again shown that she is a force to be reckoned with and a trailblazer in the music industry.