Pop Pantheon

Beyoncé, Black Country & the Long Road to Cowboy Carter (With Dr. Francesca Royster & Taylor Crumpton)

Mar 28, 2024

Dr. Francesca Royster & Taylor Crumpton discuss Beyoncé's pivot to country in 'Cowboy Carter', highlighting Black women's history in the genre, Bey's storytelling in songs like 'Texas Hold 'Em' & '16 Carriages', reclaiming white genres, and the intersection of race, nationalism, and segregation in country music. They explore challenges faced by female country artists, Beyoncé's impact on the industry, and the need for inclusivity and representation in Nashville's music scene.

01:07:03

Creator website

Episode guests

Francesca Royster

Taylor Crumpton

AI Summary

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album explores her Texas roots and challenges country music norms.

Black female pioneers in country music highlight the genre's intertwined Black music heritage.

Beyoncé's country pivot sparks debates on race and representation, pushing for diversity in the industry.

Deep dives

Beyonce's Exploration of Country Music and Identity

Beyonce's venture into country music with her album 'Cowboy Carter' sparks discussions on her exploration of genre and identity. Through songs like 'Texas Holdam' and '16 Carriages,' she delves into her Texas roots and the intricate web of country music's history. By reclaiming country music from its whitewashed narratives, Beyonce navigates themes of Black identity and cultural lineage, challenging traditional country music norms and expectations.

Introduction

2min

Exploring Beyoncé's Country Music Journey

19min

Beyoncé's Country Roots and the Intersection of Race in Country Music

14min

Exploring the Challenges Faced by Female Country Music Artists

2min

Exploring Black Women's Musical Influence and Beyonce's Cultural Roots

6min

Breaking Boundaries: Beyoncé's Impact on Country Music

5min

Navigating Identity and Activism in Nashville's Country Music Scene

15min

Exploring the Potential Impact of a Speculated Album Featuring Tejano and Zydeco Influences

4min

Tonight, Beyoncé will drop her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, her first explicit full-length foray into country music. As with every Bey project, there's a ton of meaning and history to unpack.

DePaul University professor and author of Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions, Dr. Francesca Royster, and writer and editor Taylor Crumpton, author of TIME piece Beyoncé Has Always Been Country, join the show to explain the long and often under-sung history of Black women in country: from the birth of many of the genre's core aesthetics and tenants during slavery, to 20th century recording artists who have attempted to break Nashville's white and male mass co-option, to recent breakthroughs from stars like Mickey Guyton.

Dr. Royster, Taylor & DJ Louie attempt to position Cowboy Carter in this long and arduous lineage, unpack the details and gestures of singles "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages", and parse how Beyoncé's country pivot is tapping into a much larger story than may appear at first blush.

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