Beyoncé has soared to the summit of the Hot Country Songs chart with her latest track, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” as confirmed by Billboard on Tuesday, per ew.com. This historic feat marks the first time a Black woman has claimed the top spot on the chart since its inception in 1958, according to Rolling Stone.
Despite fierce competition, with Jack Harlow’s “Lovin on Me” holding the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100, Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” secured an impressive second place. The announcement comes on the heels of the pop icon’s revelation of her forthcoming album, teased during a Super Bowl commercial for Verizon on February 11.
Following the commercial’s debut, both “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” swiftly gained traction on streaming platforms, amassing 19.2 million and 10.3 million official streams, respectively. Responding to overwhelming demand from fans, Columbia Nashville made the decision to officially promote “Texas Hold ‘Em” to country radio stations on February 14.
Despite initial uncertainty regarding radio airplay, station managers have embraced Beyoncé’s foray into the country genre, citing the overwhelmingly positive response from listeners. Travis Moon of 93Q Country expressed his excitement, stating, “I added the song because it’s a great song, and I’m excited because it just sounds so freaking good on the radio.”
Beyoncé’s venture into country music is not entirely unprecedented, as she previously incorporated country elements into her music, notably with “Daddy Lessons” from her 2016 album, Lemonade. However, her recent singles and visual aesthetics hint at a deeper exploration of the genre in her upcoming album, leading fans to anticipate her first full-fledged country project.
The significance of Beyoncé’s success in country music cannot be overstated, particularly in light of ongoing scrutiny over the industry’s treatment of Black artists. The controversy surrounding the exclusion of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” from the Hot Country Charts in 2019 and the backlash following Beyoncé’s performance of “Daddy Lessons” at the 50th Country Music Awards underscores the need for greater inclusivity and recognition of diverse musical influences within the genre.
