Cowboy Carter

J Cole’s “Might Delete Later” Misses No. 1 Debut, Beyonce’s “COWBOY CARTER” Takes Top Spot

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With his last six album releases, J Cole has confidently held onto the Billboard 200 album chart’s No. 1 spot. When it came time to drop his Might Delete Later project earlier this month, however, he had some serious competition from Beyonce, whose dive into country is continuing to do numbers even after its first week out. Upon arriving on DSPs, COWBOY CARTER became the best-selling record of 2024 so far, moving upwards of 400K units.

Though it was initially expected to come in at No. 2, it looks like Queen B has nabbed the top spot on the chart again this week, bumping Cole’s work down to second. As HipHopDX notes, the surprise mixtape brought in 115K album equivalent units over the past few days, which is still impressive, even if it ends his over 10-year streak. 2011’s Cole World: The Sideline Story was the first of the MC’s LP’s to go No. 1, and 2021’s The Off-Season marks the last time he achieved the accolade. Besides his solo efforts, the Dreamville compilation tape, Revenge of the Dreamers III became a chart-topper in 2019, making it the label head’s seventh overall.

Read More: Beyonce’s Country Album, Taylor Swift, And Lana Del Rey Don’t Have Courtney Love’s Approval

J Cole Was Heading for Billboard’s No. 1, but Bey Ultimately Beat Him

The loss is likely tough for the father of two, but he and Bey have previously collaborated so we’re hoping there’s no bad blood. In 2011, Cole joined the Houston native to remix “Party,” which he revealed he was initially supposed to be on the original version of. “Just the fact to even be on the song with her and shoot the video with her and just be in her presence. She’s such a hard-working, incredible artist,” he said on the Rise & Grind Morning Show last year.

The men of hip-hop have been feuding non-stop in recent weeks, and though he’s usually a peaceful person, even J Cole found himself in the middle of Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s drama. However, after coming for K-Dot on “7 Minute Drill,” the North Carolina native ultimately left the diss track off his Might Delete Later project, though it still landed on the Billboard Hot 100. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.

Read More: J. Cole’s Deleted “7 Minute Drill” Still Makes An Impressive Debut On Billboard Hot 100

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Beyonce Makes Country Music History With Chart-Topping New Album

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Last month, Beyonce unleashed her highly-anticipated new album COWBOY CARTER into the world. The record came on the back of two acclaimed singles “TEXAS HOLD EM” and “16 CARRIAGES” which predicted a shift into the sound and style of country music. The album that resulted dabbled in country music and so much more throughout its tracklist and was met with oceans of critical acclaim as a result. Now the album’s chart achievements are rolling in and they’re equally impressive.

Over the weekend COWBOY CARTER debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. But the album didn’t just grab the top spot on the charts, it took a commanding lead selling nearly 300k more units than any other album. With a grand total of 407k Bey broke the one-week-old record for biggest sales week of 2024 previously held by Future & Metro Boomin. Earlier today the top 10 of the Hot 100 was revealed featuring three songs from the record. “TEXAS HOLD EM” returned to the top 10 hitting number two. Her Miley Cyrus collaboration “II MOST WANTED” came in at number 6 while her cover of Dolly Parton’s “JOLENE” is right behind at number 7. But she may have made an even more impressive achievement on the country album charts.

Read More: Beyonce’s Shocking Vegas Residency Budget Unveiled

Beyonce Breaks Down Country Music Barriers

It was also just announced that COWBOY CARTER debuted at the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. That means Beyonce is officially the first black woman to ever top the chart in its entire 60-year history. The accomplishment firmly cements the album in country music history. In the weeks following the release of the album’s lead single, many country music stations refused to play it. One in particular, was bombarded by the Bey Hive online until they finally caved and decided to put the song in rotation.

What do you think of Beyonce becoming the first black woman ever to top the Billboard Top Country Albums chart? Are you surprised there’s never been another black woman to hit number one on the chart? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Beyonce’s “Drunk In Love” Turns 10

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“Like That” Survives Fury Of “COWBOY CARTER” Entries To Remain Atop Billboard Hot 100

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March was clearly a massive month for hip-hop and rap adjacent artists. We received major releases from the likes of ScHoolboy Q, SiR, and Tierra Whack. However, the handful of names that dominated the month were Metro Boomin and Future, along with Beyonce. WE DON’T TRUST YOU and COWBOY CARTER raked in gargantuan first week sales numbers and hit songs. The big-ticket tracks from both have been “Like That” and “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” respectively. However, only one remains the king of the Billboard Hot 100 throne. For the second consecutive week, “Like That” will hold the top spot in the next update.

According to Billboard, the upcoming top 10 includes three entries from COWBOY CARTER with “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” vaulting back up to number two. The next highest is “II MOST WANTED” with Miley Cyrus at number six and the modern twist on “JOLENE” slotting in at seventh. On top of all this Beyonce’s album is easily reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 200 heap. It sold a whopping 407,000 units, which is now the highest mark of the year but quite a substantial margin.

Read More: Bryson Tiller Successfully Experiments With Drill On “Ciao!”

“Like That” Is Still Like That Two Weeks Later

However, Metro Boomin and Future are also scoring another record in the upper echelon. “Type S***,” featuring Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, will crack the 10th spot. Other R&B and hip-hop acts include Jack Harlow still doing well for himself with “Lovin On Me” at eight. Finally, Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” is right behind it in ninth.

What are your thoughts on “Like That” staying at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 over any of Beyonce’s tracks off COWBOY CARTER? Is this still the best track on WE DON’T TRUST YOU, why or why not? Are you surprised that it stayed on top of the chart? Are you still amped for We Still Don’t Trust You? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding “Like That” and COWBOY CARTER. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.

Read More: Meek Mill Calls Kendrick Lamar/J. Cole Beef Trivial While Asserting That He’s Not Gay

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Azealia Banks Attacks Lily Allen Over “COWBOY CARTER” Criticism Despite Also Criticizing The Album Herself

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In the week since Beyonce dropped COWBOY CARTER fellow celebs have been absolutely falling over themselves to praise it. That even included an entire Twitter thread from former first lady Michelle Obama praising Bey’s direction and ambition. It also included her receiving the Innovator Award from this year’s iHeartRadio Music Awards. But now two of the only celebrity critics of the album, Lily Allen and Azealia Banks, are crossing paths.

Azealia Banks and Lily Allen have found themselves at odds before. For those that don’t remember, more than a decade ago the American rapper and British pop star had a brief spat that served as one of many MANY beefs Banks has had over the years. Now it’s all of a sudden been re-ignited when Banks took to her Instagram story to criticize Allen’s comments about COWBOY CARTER. Allen described the rollout of the album as too methodically planned and polished and criticized the decision to cover “Jolene.” Banks responded on her Instagram story telling Allen to “stop right there and sit this one out.” She also posted a second story with a seemingly fictionalized recounting of the pair’s beef years ago. Check out the posts she shared below.

Read More: Azealia Banks Apologizes To Lizzo, Goes After Busta Rhymes

Azealia Banks Isn’t Happy With Lily Allen’s Beyonce Criticism

Fans online were quick to point out the hypocrisy in Azealia’s response as she’s been a bigger COWBOY CARTER critic than anyone. She’s been critical of the entire era ever since it was announced during the Super Bowl. She’s repeatedly taken shots at both Beyonce and Jay-Z in the months since and when the album dropped she shared her review of it. She claimed that the album caused her to fall asleep and while she had some praise for it, there were mostly negative takes.

What do you think of Azealia Banks’ response to Lily Allen’s issues with COWBOY CARTER? Do you think she has any right to take shots at the singer given how critical she’s been of the album herself? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Azealia Banks Claps Back At Drake After Joe Budden Comments

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Beyonce Goes No. 1 With “COWBOY CARTER,” Her Eighth Chart-Topping Album

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Beyonce’s new blockbuster album COWBOY CARTER has officially nabbed the top spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Moreover, with around 407,000 units sold according to Luminate data, this marks her eighth No. 1 album debut across her career so far. It’s the biggest sales week of 2024 so far, and the most massive since Taylor Swift’s 1989 reissue last November. In addition, it’s the Houston superstar’s biggest debut since her 2016 LP Lemonade and resulted in her largest streaming week to date, as well as in her becoming the first Black artist to top the publication’s Top Country Albums list.

With this in mind, Beyonce is now fourth in the list of female artists with the most Billboard No. 1 albums, trailing behind Madonna with nine, Barbara Streisand with 11, and Taylor Swift with 13. Furthermore, various physical versions of COWBOY CARTER bolstered these sales, and this was actually her biggest-ever week on vinyl and the biggest for an vinyl album this year so far. The “BLACKBIIRD” singer has a lot to be proud of with this release, as do her featured guests. Beyond credited appearances, this LP also boasted contributions from 070 Shake, Pharrell, Stevie Wonder, Gary Clark Jr., Paul McCartney, Nile Rogers, and many, many more stars.

Read More: Michelle Obama Dishes Out High Praise For Beyonce’s New Album “COWBOY CARTER”

Beyonce Performing During The RENAISSANCE Tour

Beyonce Cowboy Carter Billboard Number One New Album Music News
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 01: (Editorial Use Only) (Exclusive Coverage) Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood/Getty Images)

What’s more is that it looks like this horse is still in the race, as we’re still getting additions to the COWBOY CARTER lore. For example, Beyonce released a “Pony Up” remix of the single “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” recently as a bonus treat for the album. We can only hope that there are more planned additions, rollout strategies, and due expansions of the project in the near future. These don’t have to be new tracks per se, but considering how RENAISSANCE went, we’ll all surely stay along for the ride for a long time.

Meanwhile, what did you think of COWBOY CARTER? Is iHeart Radio’s 2024 Innovator striking gold again or are you already waiting on the third installment on the trilogy for another shot at a hit? Whatever the case may be, hit the comments section down below with your thoughts. On that note, keep checking in with HNHH for the latest news and more updates on Beyonce.

Read More: Who Is Shaboozey? The Country-Hip Hop Star Featured On Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter”

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Beyoncé And Post Malone’s Song ‘Levii’s Jeans’ Reportedly Boosted Levi Strauss’ Stock Value By 20 Percent

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Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is the gift that keeps on giving. The project has set a new streaming record in country music and amplified the work of Black musicians in the genre (including Linda Martell, Shaboozey, and Tanner Adell, to name a few).

Now, according to CBS News, the album’s impact can even be traced back to the stock market. On April 5, the outlet reported that “Levii’s Jeans,” a collaborative track with Beyoncé and Post Malone, boosted Levi Strauss’ stock value.

As the pair sang about their love for the brand’s tried and true denim, financial analysts connected it to a 20% increase in Levi’s overall public value. In a statement, the company’s CEO, Michelle Gass, shared her excitement for the peak in consumers’ interest. “I would just say that denim is having a moment, and the Levi’s brand is having a powerful moment around the world,” she said.

Gass also addressed the report that Beyoncé aided in the uptick in sales. “One of the things that really is significant about the Levi’s brand,” she said. “We also place a lot of emphasis and investment in making sure that Levi’s brand remains at the center of culture. And I don’t think there’s any better evidence or proof point than having someone like Beyoncé, who is a culture shaper, actually name a song after us.”

First, Uber and Lyft were fighting to offer the Beyhive a better promo code. Now, Levi has entered the mix. Maybe apartment management companies or mortgage lenders will take note.

Beyonce’s Version Of “BLACKBIIRD” Praised By Paul McCartney

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Last month, Beyonce released her highly anticipated new album COWBOY CARTER. The record featured her indulging in the sounds of country music. But it also dabbled in numerous other sounds throughout the length of its bulky tracklist. The album features covers and interpolations from artists like Dolly Parton, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, and even The Beatles. Now, a former Beatle has come out with praise of her version of their song. The Beatles’ song “Blackbird” appears on the legendary group’s 1968 White Album and was written and performed by Paul McCartney.

Part of the song was inspired by the civil rights movement and social unrest in the United States, so it made a lot of sense of Bey to try her hand at the song. Now McCartney has come out with some massive praise for her version. He shared a picture to Instagram with a caption elaborating on his feelings. “I am so happy with @beyonce’s version of my song ‘Blackbird’, I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place. I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out. You are going to love it!” check out his full post below.

Read More: Tina Knowles Defends Beyonce’s “Renaissance” Premiere Appearance

Paul McCartney Praises Beyonce’s “Blackbird”

McCartney is hardly the only one praising Beyonce right now. Earlier this week she took home an innovator award during the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Michelle Obama also took to Twitter to post an entire thread of praise for COWBOY CARTER.

Not everybody has been completely in love with the record though. Pop singer Lily Allen expressed her issues with some elements of the record and its rollout on a recent episode of her podcast. What do you think of Paul McCartney’s high praise for Beyonce’s cover of “Blackbird?” Do you think it’s the best cover on COWBOY CARTER? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Beyonce’s “Drunk In Love” Turns 10

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Who Is Shaboozey? The Country-Hip Hop Star Featured On Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter”

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Genre boundaries are constantly being broken down in the music industry. Most recently, the music world has been abuzz with the groundbreaking release of Beyoncé’s latest album, Act II: Cowboy Carter. Notably, the album features several up-and-coming Black country artists. One of these is Shaboozey.

As public interest in the featured acts is on a steady rise, Shaboozey is a unique figure regardless. The Nigerian-American singer and rapper is an exciting prospect whose ability to morph genres hasn’t gone unnoticed. The singer was not only featured on one track, but two, and this has understandably sparked curiosity, not just from the Beyhive, but from both country and Hip Hop enthusiasts. So just who is this rising talent named Shaboozey? 

Read More: Beyonce’s “COWBOY CARTER” Full Features List And Known Production Credits

Rise To Fame

Born on August 9, 1995, Collins Chibueze, popularly known as Shaboozey, was born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia. As a child, he was inspired to do music after watching music videos on 106 & Park and from his experiences at a Nigerian boarding school during his junior high school days. In 2014, he founded the production company V Picture Films. That same year, he debuted his first single, “Jeff Gordon.” His talents eventually caught the attention of Republic Records, leading to a signing in 2017. The next year saw the release of his debut studio album, Lady Wrangler. 

In 2022, Shaboozey signed with Empire and has continued making significant strides in his musical journey. He released his second studio album, Cowboys Live Forever, Outlaws Never Die in October 2022 under the label. He also recently released the music video for his song “Anabelle,” and has announced his next album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, scheduled for release on May 31st, 2024. He’s since served as an inspiration for up-and-coming Black country music artists. 

Shaboozey’s Artistry

Shaboozey’s music boasts a fusion of compelling storytelling and infectious beats. Since his first single, he has been carving his own path through the music industry, steadily garnering attention and acclaim. The artist is renowned for seamlessly blending elements of Hip Hop and country music. Besides his solo music career, the 28-year-old worked on the acclaimed and award-winning 2018 animation Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He collaborated with Duckwrth on the song, “Start A Riot,” for the soundtrack album.  

Read More: Metro Boomin Brings The Heat On The OST For “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse”

Act II: Cowboy Carter Feature

Among the various artists featured on Beyoncé’s new album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, Shaboozey stood out for not one, but two feature slots.  He collaborated with Bey on the tracks, “Spaghettii” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin’.” Throughout his musical journey, Shaboozey’s music has woven together threads from country, Americana, rock, and of course, Hip Hop. Altogether, his multifaceted musical palette fits perfectly into Cowboy Carter’s genre-bending mission. Celebrating the release of Act II: Cowboy Carter, Shaboozey took to his X account and shared his enthusiasm. He promoted the album, writing: “2 SONGS ON A BEYONCE ALBUM?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?! LIFE NOT EVEN REAL RN!!! Y’ALL CAN’T TELL ME NUN!!!! “COWBOY CARTER” OUT NOW!!!!”

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Lily Allen Calls Beyonce’s “Jolene” Cover “Weird”

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Last week, Beyonce unleashed her new album COWBOY CARTER. The project saw her shifting her style in a country music direction and receiving massive acclaim from critics for doing so. But critics weren’t the only ones to come out in support of the project. Many of Bey’s fellow musicians and celebrities have taken the opportunity to praise the record. Michelle Obama posted an entire Twitter thread showing love for the record. Earlier this week Bey received a special innovator award during the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

But not everyone is as big of a fan of COWBOY CARTER. During a recent episode of her podcast pop singer Lily Allen had some less than stellar things to say about the album and one song in particular. She criticized the rollout of the record as being over-planned and even cited Jay-Z’s viral Grammys speech as a reason. In particular, she took issue with Bey’s cover of “JOLENE” by Dolly Parton. “I just feel like it’s quite an interesting thing to do when you’re like trying to tackle a new genre and you just choose the biggest song in that genre to cover. I mean, you do you, Beyoncé, and she literally is doing her. Or is she doing Dolly?” Allen said on her show. Check out the full podcast episode where they discuss the album below.

Read More: Beyonce’s Uncle Dies At 77, Tina Knowles Confirms

Lily Allen’s Thoughts on “COWBOY CARTER”

Beyonce has already dropped her first addition to the COWBOY CARTER era. Earlier this week she began teasing something on her website, which turned out to be a new remix. Overnight she dropped the “TEXAS HOLD EM” (Pony Up) Remix. The new version is likely to boost the song’s already strong surge up the charts in the next few weeks even higher. The track is expected to climb as high as number two on the Hot 100 next week.

What do you think of Lily Allen’s comments about COWBOY CARTER and “JOLENE?” DO you think she makes a good point about covering one of the most famous country songs of all time? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Beyonce’s Shocking Vegas Residency Budget Unveiled

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Paul McCartney Explains How Beyoncé’s ‘Blackbird’ Cover ‘Reinforces The Civil Rights Message’ That Inspired The Original Song

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Beyoncé dropped her new album Cowboy Carter a few days ago. On it, she put her own spin on The Beatles’ 1968 track “Blackbird.”

Now, Paul McCartney, who approved her to use the original backing track in her cover, posted a sweet message about Bey to Instagram.

“I am so happy with @beyonce’s version of my song ‘Blackbird,’” he wrote. “I think she does a magnificent version of it, and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place. I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out. You are going to love it!”

Later in the caption, McCartney also provided some insight into the discussions he had with Beyoncé about covering the song he wrote decades ago.

“I spoke to her on FaceTime and she thanked me for writing it and letting her do it,” he added. “I told her the pleasure was all mine and I thought she had done a killer version of the song. When I saw the footage on the television in the early 60s of the black girls being turned away from school, I found it shocking and I can’t believe that still in these days there are places where this kind of thing is happening right now. Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud.”

Check out McCartney’s post about Beyoncé, along with her cover “Blackbiird,” above.