Beyoncé’s latest country album, “Cowboy Carter,” has stormed to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, marking her eighth number one album in a remarkable career.
In a historic achievement, Beyoncé also became the first Black woman to lead Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with this 27-track installment of her “Renaissance” trilogy.
Released on March 29, “Cowboy Carter” debuted with an impressive 407,000 equivalent album units sold in the US by the week ending April 4, as reported by Billboard and music industry data provider Luminate.
This debut not only marks the best of 2024 so far but also the largest since Taylor Swift’s “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” in November 2023.
The album, a spirited celebration of Beyoncé’s southern roots, features a star-studded lineup including country icons Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, as well as contemporary stars like Miley Cyrus and Post Malone.
Parton’s appearance on a rendition of “Jolene” adds a personal touch to Beyoncé’s adaptation, drawing connections to themes of love and betrayal.
Critically acclaimed, “Cowboy Carter” quickly became the most-streamed album in a single day on Spotify in 2024.
Beyoncé’s foray into country music challenges Nashville’s traditional boundaries, showcasing the genre’s rich history rooted in African American spirituals and fiddle tunes.
The album’s rollout was strategic, with Beyoncé unveiling singles like “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” during the Super Bowl and announcing the album’s release date.
Notably, she also covers Paul McCartney’s Beatles classic “Blackbird,” aligning with the civil rights message that inspired the song’s original creation.
Beyoncé’s previous chart-topping albums include “Dangerously in Love” (2003), “B’Day” (2006), “I Am… Sasha Fierce” (2008), “4” (2011), “Beyoncé” (2013), “Lemonade” (2016), and “Renaissance” (2022).
With this achievement, she joins an elite group of women with multiple number one albums, including Taylor Swift, Barbra Streisand, and Madonna, according to Billboard.
