Beyoncé is known for her reserved public persona, but, she decided to step out of her comfort zone to explain the inspiration behind her new sequel. She disclosed that she wrote “Act 2: Cowboy Carter” based on an encounter that made her feel unwelcome.
Though she would not disclose the exact incident, she took to her Instagram page to post about the album. The album serves as a highly anticipated sequel to “Renaissance,” reflecting her creative response to personal experiences.
“It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed… and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote on Instagram. “But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive.”
Beyoncé remained tight-lipped about the incident, but speculation suggests it could be linked to her controversial “Daddy Lessons” performance at the Country Music Association Awards in 2016. Collaborating with the Dixie Chicks drew criticism from country fans on social media, who questioned her presence in the genre. Reports also surfaced about industry insiders disapproving of a pop artist’s involvement, as reported by Variety.
“The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me,” she wrote. “Act II is a result of challenging myself and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
She revealed that she commenced work on her “Act 2” project five years ago and teased fans with promises of surprises, including multiple collaborations.
“I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound,” she wrote. “I focused on this album as a continuation of RENAISSANCE… I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning, and never stop.”
She summed up her post by stating that: “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”
“Act 2: Cowboy Carter” is slated for release on March 29.
