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Cowboy Carter

Cowboy Carter is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé, released on March 29, 2024.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Cowboy Carter is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé, released on March 29, 2024. It is a concept album and the second act in a planned trilogy that began with Renaissance (2022). The album is rooted in country music but blends multiple genres and was conceived as a reimagining of Americana that highlights overlooked Black contributions to U.S. musical history.

Background

Cowboy Carter was announced in 2024 as the follow-up to Renaissance and presented as the second act of Beyoncé's planned three-part project. Sources describe it as a concept album built around themes of genre, identity, and American musical history.

Music and themes

The album is rooted in country music but blends elements associated with Southern U.S. styles and other genres. Beyoncé framed it as a journey through Americana that brings attention to Black artists and pioneers often left out of mainstream narratives.

Release and reception

Cowboy Carter was released on March 29, 2024, by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. It received broad attention for its genre-defying approach and for its position within Beyoncé's larger trilogy concept.

Commercial performance and awards

Available sources indicate the album reached major chart and awards recognition, including strong sales and later Grammy wins. Different references note its success in country and overall album categories.

Key facts

  • Cowboy Carter is Beyoncé's eighth studio album, released March 29, 2024.
  • It is the second act in a planned trilogy following Renaissance (2022).
  • The album is rooted in country music but blends multiple genres.
  • It reimagines Americana to highlight Black contributions to U.S. musical history.
  • The album is also referred to as Act II: Cowboy Carter.
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Canadian context

Cowboy Carter is relevant to Canadian readers as a major release by a globally prominent artist whose genre-crossing approach and awards success drew international media coverage, including in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cowboy Carter a country album?
It is generally described as a country album, but sources also emphasize that it blends country with other genres and resists simple classification.
When was Cowboy Carter released?
It was released on March 29, 2024.
What is the album's place in Beyoncé's trilogy?
It is the second act in Beyoncé's planned trilogy, following Renaissance (2022).
What is the album's full title?
The album is also referred to as Act II: Cowboy Carter.
Who released Cowboy Carter?
It was released by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_Carter
    Supports: Core facts: title, artist, release date, label, trilogy placement, genre description, concept-album framing.
  2. PR Newswire — https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beyonce-releases-cowboy-carter-302103396.html
    Supports: Release announcement, date, executive production, and description of the album as rooted in country and centered on genre.
  3. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/album/cowboy-carter/1738363766
    Supports: Album presentation and description of the project as an 80-minute tribute to genre-defying musical traditions.
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_Carter
    Supports: Album length, chart success, and Grammy recognition noted in the available search results.
  5. Pitchfork — https://www.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/beyonce-cowboy-carter/
    Supports: Critical framing of the album as genre-expanding and not reducible to a single country label.