Beyoncé has once again made history by becoming the first Black woman to top the Hot Country Songs chart with her hit track, Texas Hold ‘Em. This remarkable achievement comes after a country music station initially refused to play the song, sparking outrage from fans.
The Texas-bred music artist surprised her fans by dropping two new country singles on February 11, including Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages. Both songs received praise from some of the genre’s top artists, such as Maren Morris and Lainey Wilson, who warmly welcomed Beyoncé into the country music community.
Texas Hold ‘Em quickly climbed the charts, pushing back the duet I Remember Everything by Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, which had held the top spot for 20 weeks. Meanwhile, 16 Carriages debuted at number 9, solidifying Beyoncé’s presence in the country music genre.
Her songs were announced in a Verizon commercial during Super Bowl LVIII, and they have garnered millions of streams and radio reach. Texas Hold ‘Em received 19.2 million official streams and 4.8 million all-format airplay audience, and it has sold 39,000 copies in the U.S. by February 15. On the other hand, 16 Carriages accumulated 10.3 million streams, had a radio reach of 90,000, and sold 14,000 copies.
This accomplishment adds to Beyoncé’s list of groundbreaking achievements. She is currently the first and only woman to have topped both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
However, this achievement did not come without obstacles. When a fan requested Texas Hold ‘Em at a local country radio station, they received an email from the station declining their request, citing that they do not play Beyoncé because they are a country music station. This incident sparked outrage among Beyoncé’s fans, who demanded that the station be held accountable for their blatant racism and discrimination.
Eventually, the station received copies of the songs and started playing Texas Hold ‘Em. This victory for Beyoncé’s fans showcases the power and influence of dedicated supporters.
Beyoncé is set to release her full country album, titled Act II, on March 29, following her highly acclaimed Renaissance LP in 2022. As she continues to break barriers and defy expectations, Beyoncé remains a trailblazer in the music industry.