When record-breaking Grammy artist Beyoncé Knowles-Carter announced two new songs, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” on Sunday, Feb. 11 during the Super Bowl, she not only excited fans, she was making a statement, freedom fighting and offering a lesson for audiences.
Black artists have always been important innovators in country music. Despite many mainstream representations of the genre from the past and today, historically Black artists have been at the forefront of country music.
The first person – not just first African American, but first artist ever — to appear on the Grand Ole Opry was a Black musician named DeFord Bailey, inducted into the Country Hall of Fame in 2005. From Bailey to fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Charles and celebrated country music legend Charley Pride, African American artists have been standouts within country music and proven as trailblazers for the genre’s sound, style and all-around culture.
In 2024, Knowles-Carter is singing in honor of the hardworking, unheard or underappreciated Black artists who came before and even after her.
“It’s been umpteen summers, and I’m not in my bed. On the back of the bus in a bunk with the band. Goin’ so hard, gotta choose myself. Undеrpaid and overwhelmed. I might cook, clеan, but still won’t fold. Still workin’ all my life, you know, only God knows,” sings the celebrated singer, wife and mother.
Using the journey of an undervalued, struggling artist, “16 Carriages” shares a tale of resilience despite tough times – a narrative familiar to many late and current Black country artists.
“Sixteen dollars, workin’ all day. Ain’t got time to waste, I got art to make. I got love to create on this holy night. They won’t dim my light, all these years I fight,” the Houston, Texas-born artist sings.
In “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the singer is staking her claim in country music.
“This ain’t Texas, ain’t no hold ’em, so lay your cards down, down, down, down, oh. So park your Lexus and throw your keys up and stick around,’ round, ’round, ’round, ’round. And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you. Come pour some sugar on me, honey too,” Knowles-Carter declares in the upbeat country tune.
With songs such as “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Knowles-Carter is reminding listeners of the long history of Black country music artists. Further, she’s declaring African American artists’ importance to the country canon and music overall.