Hyperpop, punk, reggaeton: 5 genres we'd love to see Beyoncé conquer next
Are you ready for Beyoncé's country era?
Beyoncé - TEXAS HOLD 'EM (Official Visualizer)
Her latest song, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” has already reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, properly introducing Queen Bey’s upcoming country album cycle and cementing the genre of second act of Renaissance, the three album project Beyoncé teased back in 2022.
But what can fans expect from the third?
Speculations continue to swirl, with the most prominent rumors being a rock-inspired album and a collaborative project with Jay Z. Nothing has been confirmed, but here are the genres we’d love to see Beyoncé explore on Act III.
Beyoncé if you’re reading this, feel free to get inspired. (And also cut me a check!)
Hyperpop
SOPHIE - Immaterial (official audio)
I know what you’re thinking, but push through that initial doubt. Hyperpop has grown from an experimental subgenre to the driving force of pop music’s most exciting acts today. If Beyoncé collaborated with Arca, Charli XCX, or the late Sophie, the sheer frequency would have gays around the world spontaneously combusting. Channeling the chaos of Slayyyter, the silliness of 100 gecs, or the manic spiral of brakence would be a sight to behold, and is absolutely a genre Beyoncé could make her own.
Reggaeton
BAD BUNNY - YO PERREO SOLA | YHLQMDLG (Video Oficial)
Did you know Beyoncé re-recorded several tracks off her B’Day album in Spanish? It’s unclear why she cut Shakira on the second verse of “Beautiful Liar (Spanglish Version)” but now’s her chance to correct that error. Bey has dabbled in Spanish music for years including tracks with J Balvin and Alejandro Fernández. With reggaeton more popular than ever, why not hit up Bad Bunny and Rosaliá for a banger or two?
Classic Rock
Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen (Official Music Video)
If “Don’t Hurt Yourself” taught us anything, it’s that Beyoncé could kill a rock album. While today’s rock stars are cute, the superstar of our lifetime would absolutely smash some of the rock ballads of the ’70s and ’80s. We’re talking Journey, Stevie Nicks, Aerosmith. Imagine her singing Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” or Pat Benatar’s “Love Is A Battlefield.” We’re foaming at the mouth from just the thought.
K-Pop
BLACKPINK - ‘Pink Venom’ M/V
Blackpink in your area? K-Pop has taken over the world in the last couple of years, and with their messages of girl power and self-love over men, a NewJeans or Blackpink or Twice collaboration could produce another “Run The World (Girls)” like anthem that the entire would absolutely eat up.
Punk
Ashnikko - Cry Feat. Grimes (Official Video)
The modern punk movement is heavily influenced by pop, pop-punk, and hip-hop. Just ask some of today’s most influential artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Ashnikko, and XXXTENTACION. Beyoncé could create her own lane in the genre, and Black women certainly have some venting to get off their chests.
Alt R&B
FKA twigs - Two Weeks
Beyoncé is no stranger to pop and R&B experimentation, just listen to songs like “No Angel,” “Formation,” or “My House.” But what would an entire alt-R&B album sound like? Artists like FKA Twigs, Willow Smith, SZA have seen massive success over the last few years, completely broadening the genre with fresh melodies and darker themes. We’d kill to see “Beyoncé ft. Tinashe and PinkPantheress” on a tracklist.
Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s country LP, is scheduled to be released on March 29.
