Beyonce’s new album, Cowboy Carter, features a country western-infused “Act II” to Renaissance’s disco “Act I.” The album’s first two singles were released after a Super Bowl commercial. Beyoncé’s extended dalliance with country has been building since her 2016 performance of “Daddy Lessons” at the CMA Awards. This reaction led to the creation of Cowboy Carter and a deep dive into black country music history.
Beyoncé is a successful pop marketer who uses history, nostalgia, and tastemaking to infuse her music with importance. She is considered poptimism’s crowning achievement, proving mainstream pop music should be treated as serious art. Beyoncé’s trajectory is similar to Steven Spielberg’s, who first became successful by making accessible, big, and family-friendly movies, but then gained importance with Schindler’s List.
