Beyoncé has revealed the significance behind the name of her latest album Cowboy Carter — and it goes deeper than just its country sound.
In an interview with GQ, whose October issue she covers, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” hitmaker explained that she wanted the title to be a teachable moment for fans about the often buried history of Black cowboys in America.
“I wanted everyone to take a minute to research on the word cowboy,” she said when asked about her decision to name the album Cowboy Carter instead of Cowgirl Carter. “History is often told by the victors. And American history? It’s been rewritten endlessly.
“Up to a quarter of all cowboys were Black. These men faced a world that refused to see them as equal, yet they were the backbone of the cattle industry. The cowboy is a symbol of strength and aspiration in America. The cowboy was named after slaves who handled the cows.
“The word cowboy comes from those who were called boys, never given the respect they deserved. No one would dare call a Black man handling cows ‘Mister’ or ‘Sir.’”
This unfortunate reality also inspired the name of Bey’s new whisky brand, with the singer adding: “For me, SirDavis is a sign of earned respect. We all deserve respect, especially when we give it.”
Elsewhere in the cover story, Beyoncé revealed that she began work on Cowboy Carter five years ago, pointing to her age in the lyrics of album cut “16 Carriages.”
She also opened up about her decision to venture into country music on Cowboy Carter and dance genres like disco and house on her previous effort Renaissance.
“From the start of my career and on every album, I have always mixed genres. Whether it is R&B, dance, country, rap, zydeco, blues, opera, gospel, they have all influenced me in some way,” she explained. “I have favorite artists from every genre you could think about.
“I believe genres are traps that box us in and separate us. I’ve experienced this for 25 years in the music industry. Black artists, and other artists of color, have been creating and mastering multiple genres, since forever.”
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Bey continued: “This is why it was so important for me to sample the composer Joseph Bologne, known as Chevalier de Saint-Georges, in the song ‘Daughter’ on Cowboy Carter. Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 3, No. 1: II. Adagio was created in the 1700s. This is a testament to Chevalier’s vision.
“I hope it inspires artists, as well as fans, to dig deeper and learn more about the Black musical innovators who came before us. Some of the most talented artists never achieve the mainstream praise they deserve, especially when they defy the norm.”
Despite the rich history at the heart of the album, as well as its record-breaking success, Cowboy Carter has been shut out of the 2024 Country Music Awards — much to the outrage of the Bey Hive.
Nominations for the annual awards show were announced earlier this week, with Beyoncé’s name nowhere to be found. Nods were instead bestowed upon the likes of Morgan Wallen, Post Malone and Jelly Roll — the latter two of whom have also crossed over into country from a Black genre.