Ms. Tina has come to the defense of Beyoncé.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Tina Knowles, 70, detailed how much “cowboy culture” belongs to the Black community and shared her support for the “Alien Superstar” artist’s foray into country music following the release of “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” earlier this month.
Alongside a reshare of a compilation video of images of Beyoncé’s previous magazine covers and photos of her in cowboy attire, she wrote on Instagram: “I just came across this video on my IG feed! We have always celebrated Cowboy Culture growing up in Texas. We also always understood that it was not just about it belonging to White culture only. In Texas there is a huge black cowboy culture. Why do you think that my kids have integrated it into their fashion and art since the beginning.”
Knowles continued: “When people ask why is Beyonce wearing cowboy hats? It’s really funny, I actually laugh because it’s been there since she was a kid, we went to rodeos every year and my whole family dressed in western fashion. Solange did a whole brilliant Album and Project based on Black Cowboy Culture. It definitely was a part of our culture growing up.”
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Beyoncé, 42, announced her next chapter of Renaissance during the Super Bowl halftime show.
The “Break My Soul” artist revealed that “act ii” — her first-ever country album — will be released on March 29. Bey shared the news via an Instagram clip that featured her driving through the desert, giving fans a glimpse into her country sound with a preview of “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
“act ii,” which is not yet titled, will be Beyoncé’s eighth studio LP, not including five live albums.
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The 32-time Grammy winner first announced Renaissance in June 2022, which she said was “act i” and would be part of three acts.
“This three act project was recorded over three years during the pandemic,” Beyoncé wrote in a since-deleted post on her website. “A time to be still, but also a time I found to be the most creative. Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world.”
She continued, “It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”