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Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has taken to social media to unveil the cover art for her upcoming album Cowboy Carter, penning an accompanying caption that takes aim at her critics.
When in February, the recording artist released the country-inspired singles Texas Hold 'Em and 16 Carriages, while announcing there would be a new album on the way, the reaction was feverish, but mixed.
An Oklahoma radio station wouldn't play her singles 'til her fans revolted. And loyal listeners to other country-specific stations in the United States complained when her music was played.
The pop star announced her album via social media during this year's Super Bowl after featuring in an advertisement in which she tries to break the internet in various ways, including running for president, performing in space and remaking the Barbie movie as Barbey.
"OK, they ready. Drop the new music," is the ad's final line.
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It's not the first time Beyoncé has experimented with genres – including country. Her album Act I: Renaissance has dance, disco and house tracks on it and 2016's Lemonade features a mash of genres including the country-inspired Daddy Lessons.
Daddy Lessons was reportedly rejected by the Recording Academy's music committee when it was submitted for a Grammy in the country category.
The Country Music Association Awards also did not nominate the song.
"Today marks the 10-day countdown until the release of act ii," the entertainer wrote on Tuesday US time.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the supporters of TEXAS HOLD 'EM and 16 CARRIAGES.
"I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the Hot Country Songs chart.
"That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you.
"My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist's race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant."
Feeling unwelcome
Beyoncé, who hails from Houston, Texas, became the first black woman to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart after Texas Hold 'Em debuted at number one.
Beyoncé has held the number one spot on multiple Billboard charts including R&B, R&B/Hip Hop, Gospel, Latin, Dance/Electronic, Country and the Hot 100.
She's also won more Grammys than any other artist – at 32.
Journalists have pondered on country music's black roots and about how black artists often fail to be recognised in the genre.
It took three decades and a cover by a white man for Tracy Chapman to make history as the first black woman with a sole songwriting credit on a number 1 country hit. Luke Combs covered Fast Car 30 years after Chapman released it as the first single on her self-titled debut album.
"This album has been over five years in the making," Beyoncé wrote.
"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.
"But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive.
"It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.
"The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. Act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work."
A few surprises
Beyoncé has promised some exciting collaborations on the new album.
"I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect," she wrote.
"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.
"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.
"This ain't a Country album. This is a 'Beyoncé' album.
"This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y'all!"
Act II: Cowboy Carter is due to be released March 29, 2024