Recent venture of Beyonce into the country music scene with her album ” Cowboy Carter ” might leave some fans intrigued, but a trip to her home state of Texas can shed light on the roots of her latest musical exploration.
Although Beyonce herself clarifies that ” Cowboy Carter ain’t a country album… it’s a Beyoncé album,” it’s evident that her work draws inspiration from various sources, including the rich history of Black country music and Black cowboy culture.
Texas, particularly her hometown of Houston, has a longstanding association with cowboys. The city, famous for hosting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, boasts strong cowboy credentials. This ties closely with the African American community in Texas and the broader American West. However, historically, the cowboy image has predominantly been portrayed with a white face.
Portrayal of the cowboy as a heroic figure
Despite the historical presence of Black cowboys, the portrayal of the cowboy as a heroic figure in Western expansion has typically depicted them as white.
Unbeknownst to many, Black cowboy culture runs deep in African American communities, both historically and presently. Going back to the early 1800s, one in every four cowboys was Black, and horsemanship remained a significant aspect of many African American communities until the 1950s.
Royster hopes that Beyoncé’s venture into the country genre will bring about change. “Thinking about Beyoncé’s Instagram post where she talked about feeling unwelcome in country music spaces. As someone who’s been studying Black country music, that to me was a familiar refrain,” Royster reflects. “But I really feel like things are moving fast in terms of changing the culture around country music for diverse listeners and audiences as well as performers.”
In recent years, other musicians such as Lil Nas X and Blanco Brown have also explored the country genre, their successes shining a light on artists like banjo player Rhiannon Giddens and singer-songwriter Brittany Spencer, both featured on “Cowboy Carter.” Now, Beyoncé, who has made history as the only Black woman atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, joins the ranks of those carrying the torch forward.
This resurgence of interest and inclusion in country music marks a cultural shift, opening doors for diverse voices and audiences within the genre.
