Beyoncé Reveals Why Her Album Is Titled ‘Cowboy Carter’

Beyoncé is making headlines with her new country music album, “Cowboy Carter,” and her whiskey, SirDavis.

The titles have sparked questions, leading many to wonder if she’s intentionally challenging traditional notions of gender and race. By choosing “Cowboy” instead of “Cowgirl” and naming her whiskey SirDavis, the singer seems to be stirring conversation and breaking boundaries, pushing the envelope on how these categories are perceived and represented.

Now, fans will finally get the answer to this question as Beyoncé is opening up about her album and whiskey titles.

In a new cover story with GQ, the “Single Ladies” artist opened up about the details of her latest album and the significance behind its title, sharing insights into what inspired the name and how it reflects her evolving artistic vision.

“I wanted everyone to take a minute to research on the word cowboy,” she began. “History is often told by the victors. And American history? It’s been rewritten endlessly.”

Beyoncé went on to talk about how “up to a quarter of all cowboys were Black” and “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,” she continued. “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.’ For me, SirDavis is a sign of earned respect. We all deserve respect, especially when we give it,” the artist told GQ. “Making liquor has been in Southern families like mine for many generations. The Jack Daniel’s famous recipe? That was heavily influenced by a Black man named Nathan ‘Nearest’ Green.”

Green was a former slave who went on to become Jack Daniel’s master distiller.

“Now, there’s a delicious whiskey,” she said of the popular whiskey. “Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, named after him, that is run by two women—Nearest Green’s great-great-granddaughter, Victoria Eady Butler, alongside Fawn Weaver. Victoria, in true legacy form to what Mr. Nearest started, is one of the first Black female master blenders in American whiskey.”

“Hopefully, this story, along with others like Victoria’s and Fawn’s, and now mine, will continue to open more doors,” she concluded.

In addition to being a musician, a mom, and a whiskey founder, Queen Bey has also dove into the beauty care world, launching hair care line, Cécred.

“When I started my hair care brand, Cécred, I wanted it to be recognized for what it does for real people and their hair,” she told GQ. “When it launched, I made a conscious decision not to appear in the ads. The brand’s first impression needed to stand on its own merit, not be swayed by my influence. I’ve been using these products for years, so I know firsthand how magical they are.”

Not only has Beyoncé co-founded the fashion line House of Deréon with her mother, she has launched successful collections with Ivy Park in collaboration with Adidas. She is also involved in numerous charitable causes, including supporting disaster relief efforts and advocating for social justice. Her BeyGOOD foundation focuses on areas like education, housing, and global relief.

“I create at my own pace, on things that I hope will touch other people,” she told the outlet. “I hope my work encourages people to look within themselves and come to terms with their own creativity, strength, and resilience. I focus on storytelling, growth, and quality. I’m not focused on perfectionism. I focus on evolution, innovation, and shifting perception.”

Beyoncé has won numerous Grammy Awards, making her one of the most awarded artists in Grammy history, and her latest album helped her to become the first Black woman ever to snag the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

“Working on the music for ‘Cowboy Carter’ and launching this exciting new project feel nothing like prison, nor a burden,” she added. “In fact, I only work on what liberates me. It is fame that can at times feel like prison. So, when you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why.”