Beyoncé: Cowboy Carter (2024)
There had been black artists in country music before of course (ever since there had been country), but there’d never been anyone with the clout, impact and cultural significance of Beyoncé. On an album which was coded with messages from the cover on in, appropriated and repositioned McCartney’s Blackbird and Dolly Parton’s Jolene, Beyonce made sure everyone knew she was from Texas and no interloper in country. Lotta internet chatter and serious commentary did the rest of the work. Important album, and a good one too.
Next: Yola, Walk Through Fire and Stand For Myself; Rhiannon Giddens, Tomorrow is My Turn and You’re the One; Brittney Spencer, My Stupid Life
