Beyoncé released two country songs: Here's everything we know about 'Act II' so far

Caché McClay, USA TODAY NETWORK
·2 min read
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Beyoncé surprised fans Sunday night when she announced the release date of the highly anticipated "Act II" of her "Renaissance" project and dropped two new country songs. Here's everything we know about the upcoming album.

Beyoncé released two new songs: "16 Carriages" and "Texas Hold 'Em." She is set to debut the new album in its entirety on March 29.

"Act II" is a follow-up to her "Renaissance" album, which the superstar released on July 29, 2022, through her company Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. The album is the next piece of a three-part project that will eventually include "Act III."

Revisiting country music

The new project seems to be inspired by the country music, and many fans believe it will be an ode to Black roots within the genre. The full track list has yet to be released, but the two new songs fit the theme.

While this could be the first time Beyoncé releases a full country music album, this is not the first time she has dropped country music. Beyonce included country song "Daddy's Lessons" on her 2016 album "Lemonade." The same year, she performed the track with country band the Chicks at the Country Music Association Awards.

Beyonce performs with Emily Robison, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.
Beyonce performs with Emily Robison, Natalie Maines and Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.

Highlighting Black artists

According to the song credits, Beyoncé worked with Black musicians who have been influential in country music. The single "Texas Hold ’Em” features Rhiannon Giddens on the banjo and the viola.

Giddens is a Macarthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer. She has dedicated her work to reclaiming the banjo's African and West African origins and educating the nation about the banjo and its roots in Black culture before becoming a predominantly white instrument.

The singer's single “16 Carriages” features Robert Randolph on steel guitar, along with Justin Schipper. Randolph is another legendary artist known for staying true to his Black roots.

As of Monday morning, the two songs had already made top 10 on the Apple Music chart, according to Forbes.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Beyoncé released two country songs: Here's what we know about 'Act II'