Usually this early into the NFL season, diehard football fanatics debate which team will go all the way. Well, this year things are a bit different. Instead of sports fans nearly coming to blows over their favorite franchise, it is the music fans popping off.
Today (September 8), Kendrick Lamar announced that he would perform at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. While users online, including Lil Wayne’s longtime engineer Fabian Marasciullo, weren’t a fan of his selection, he did receive one notable co-sign. Over on Instagram, Rihanna showed her support of Kendrick Lamar by liking his reveal post (viewable here).
As the record-breaking headliner for Super Bowl 2023, Rihanna knows a thing or two about the football’s biggest stage. Still, users online are not buckling from their stance.
Many pointed about that the coveted show tapped Usher for Super Bowl 2024’s Halftime Show following his groundbreaking dominance in Las Vegas. Since, Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans, Lil Wayne should’ve been selected for the slot. Back February, during an appearance on YG and Stevie’s 4HUNNID podcast, Lil Wayne made it crystal clear that he would be down if asked. He also expressed how sentimental the moment would be giving that NOLA is his hometown and where his career started by way of the Hot Boys.
In the fifth-season premiere of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, out now on Netflix, Letterman asked Cyrus about her famous friends. Specifically, he asked, “That night at the [2024] Grammys, it seemed like an enormous celebration of women in music. Are you friends with all of those women?”
Cyrus candidly responded, “I am not very active, I would say, or very a part of my community of other artists and entertainers and celebrities. It just doesn’t feel like my people when I’m in that room. But there are certain artists, like Beyoncé, who — like us — we’ve known each other for a long time.”
The multi-platinum-certified singer continued, “When I was probably 15, I performed with Beyoncé. I was sandwiched between, you know, Rihanna and the Queen Bey, and they’re fully grown up, gorgeous, probably similar to my age now. Towering over me, completely stunning. I am super small, have acne, have braces on the back of my teeth, and I’m standing next to Mariah Carey, who is dripping in diamonds. Beyoncé was so kind to me, and now, just from seeing her, I’ve created a relationship — maybe a bit more in-depth. […] The kindness and the consistency is everything, so I’m a part of my community in that way, but again, it’s all quality, not quantity. I’m not very active in that.”
Letterman’s reference to the 2024 Grammys concerned Cyrus’ first-ever Grammy wins (Record Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance), thanks for “Flowers,” which was the root of her show-stopping performance.
Beyoncé welcomed Cyrus as a featured artist on her Cowboy Carter album, and “II Most Wanted” stands to be nominated for Record Of The Year at the 2025 Grammys.
“I wrote that song, like, two and a half years ago,” Cyrus recently told W. “My mom would always go, ‘I love that song so much.’ So when Beyoncé reached out to me about music, I thought of it right away because it really encompasses our relationship. I told her, ‘We don’t have to get country; we are country. We’ve been country.’ I said, ‘You know, between you being from Texas and me being from Tennessee, so much of us is going to be in this song.’ Getting to write a song, not just sing, for Beyoncé was a dream come true.”
Aside from today’s Easter holiday, many people all over the world have also been celebrating the release of BeyoncéCowboy Carter. The singer’s eighth album is also the second installation in a trilogy of albums she promised before the release of Renaissance. Cowboy Carter is a sprawling 27-track effort that captures Beyoncé in a full country swing, swapping 808s and uptempo dance production for the twang of a strumming banjo and a good ol’ time at the rodeo.
So far, Cowboy Carter has been met with positive reviews as it even went on to break a Spotify streaming record in the first 24 hours since its release. Throughout the album’s 27 songs, Beyoncé recruited help from names all over the industry. Some are frequent collaborators (The-Dream & Jay-Z) and others are new to working with Beyoncé (Shaboozey, Tanner Adell & Brittney Spencer). With all that being said, we dove into the album credits to see who helped Beyoncé make each of the songs on Cowboy Carter a reality. You can scroll down to check out the full list.
1. Ameriican Requiem
Guest Vocalists: Ink (Background Vocals) Producers: Beyoncé, Derek Dixie, Jon Batiste, Khirye Tyler, No I.D. & Tyler Johnson Co-Songwriters: Ink
2. Blackbiird
Guest Vocalists: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts (Featured Artists) Producers: Beyoncé, Khirye Tyler & Paul McCartney Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, John Lennon & Paul McCartney
3. 16 Carriages
Guest Vocalists: N/A Producers: Beyoncé, Ink, Dave Hamelin, Raphael Saadiq & Stuart White Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Raphael Saadiq, Ink & Dave Hamelin Drums: Lemar Carter Guitar: Dave Hamelin, Ink & Justus West Organ: Dave Hamelin & Gavin Williams Piano: Dave Hamelin Steel Guitar: Justin Schipper & Robert Rnadolph Synthesizer: Dave Hamelin Trumpet: Ryan Svendsen
4. Protector
Guest Vocalists: Rumi Carter (Intro Vocals) Producers: Beyoncé & Jack Rochon Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Ryan Beatty, Camaron Ochs & Jack Rochon
Guest Vocalists: Willie Nelson (Featured Artist) Producers: Beyoncé & Dave Hamelin Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Dave Hamelin, Jeff Gitelman & Leah Nardos Takele
15. Just For Fun
Guest Vocalists: Willie Jones Producers: Beyoncé & Dave Hamelin Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Dave Hamelin, Jeff Gitelman, & Ryan Beatty
16. II Most Wanted
Guest Vocalists: Miley Cyrus (Featured Artist) Producers: Beyoncé, Jonathan Rado, Michael Pollack, Miley Cyrus & Shawn Everett Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Michael Pollack, Miley Cyrus & Ryan Tedder
17. Levii’s Jeans
Guest Vocalists: Post Malone (Featured Artist) Producers: Beyoncé & Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Austin Post (Post Malone), Nile Rodgers, S. Carter (Jay-Z) & Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant
Guest Vocalists: N/A Producers: Beyoncé, Dave Hamelin & Jack Rochon Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Ryan Beatty, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Dave Hamelin, Mark Spears & Jack Rochon
25. Tyrant
Guest Vocalists: Dolly Parton Producers: Beyoncé, D.A. Got That Dope & Khirye Tyler Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Camaron Ochs, David Doman, Dominik Redenczki, Ezemdi Chikwendu & Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant
26. Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckiin’
Guest Vocalists: Shaboozey (Featured Artist) Producers: Beyoncé & Pharrell Williams Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Collins Chibueze (Shaboozey), Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard, S. Carter (Jay-Z), Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant & Pharrell Williams
27. Amen
Guest Vocalists: Danielle Balbuena (070 Shake) Producers: Beyoncé, 070 Shake, Dave Hamlin, Derek Dixie, Ian Fitchuck, Sean Solymar, Tyler Johnson Co-Songwriters: Beyoncé, Camaron Ochs, Danielle Balbuena (070 Shake), Darius Dixon, Dave Hamelin, Derek Dixie, Ian Fitchuk & Tyler Johnson
Cowboy Carter is out now via Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records. Find out more information here.
Beyoncé has officially released her eighth studio album, COWBOY CARTER. It is the second installment of a three-act trilogy following 2022’s Renaissance. COWBOY CARTER sees Beyoncé fully diving into the realm of country, tapping into her Texan roots. Prior to her latest release, she first ventured into the genre on “Daddy Lessons” from 2016’s Lemonade. The latest album’s lead singles “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES” appear on the new 27-track album, of which Beyoncé handles the majority herself. There are, however, numerous guest appearances that contribute vocals throughout the tracklist. As we begin to digest her latest album, we are ranking Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER features from least to greatest. This list excludes those who speak on the interludes, such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, and Rumi Carter. Take a look at the list below.
Featured on both “SPAGHETTII” and “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’” is hip hop and country artist Shaboozey. “SPAGHETTII” is easily the most rap-oriented song on the album, and Shaboozey assists Beyoncé in bridging the the two genres. However, his overall performance is nothing outstanding compared to other COWBOY CARTER guest features. The same can be said about Shaboozey’s appearance on “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN’.” He lends his vocals to the first part of the song, which fuses country and Jersey club. Shaboozey’s guest features ensure vocal variety on the 27-track album, but they are not memorable in the grand scheme of the tracklist.
4. “BLACKBIIRD” – Tanner Adell, Brittany Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, & Reyna Roberts
COWBOY CARTER’s second song is one of a few different Beyoncé covers. She reimagines The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” enlisting Tanner Adell, Brittany Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts as features on the song. The up-and-coming country artists get a moment to shine, especially Adell. Due to the song being a cover and its short runtime, the artists’ feature feels more like a brief solo than a complete collaboration. Their appearances may be short, but being a featured artist on a Beyoncé album is the ultimate cosign.
Post Malone’s surprise feature on COWBOY CARTER is one of the album’s best collaborations. On “LEVII’S JEANS,” his voice sounds very comfortable over the mid-tempo guitar strumming. He also pushes himself vocally, which is a necessity for those who sing alongside Beyoncé. The collaboration feels very natural and works for both of their musical styles. With the two being in completely different artistic places earlier in their careers, now was the perfect moment for Post Malone and Beyoncé to sing together.
2. “JUST FOR FUN” – Willie Jones
Willie Jones’s feature on “JUST FOR FUN” might be brief, but he leaves quite the impression. An instant standout on COWBOY CARTER, his feature is its very own moment, especially when he and Beyoncé sing together. Their voices complement each other nicely, with the bass of Jones’s voice coinciding with Beyoncé’s deeper register. Willie Jones does not overstay his welcome on “JUST FOR FUN,” but his presence certainly enhances the track.
Easily the standout COWBOY CARTER feature is on “II MOST WANTED,” a beautiful duet between Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus. Over the course of her career, Cyrus has shown that country is her true calling, which “II MOST WANTED” reinforces. It is the style of music over which she sounds most comfortable and is able to showcase her vocal ability. Beyoncé’s smooth and overpowering voice, combined with Miley’s gentle and gruff tone, blend seamlessly as they sing with one another. While Beyoncé’s voice tends to vocally outshine anyone, their voices come together in country music. Miley Cyrus’s feature on “II MOST WANTED” is undoubtedly the most memorable and impressive feature on COWBOY CARTER. It feels like a true collaboration more than any other guest appearance.
At long last, a Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus collaboration has come to fruition. Tonight (March 29), Bey dropped her county-influenced eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, which features a duet with Cyrus called “II Most Wanted.”
On this cinematic ballad, Bey and Miley ruminate on their lovers, romanticizing making an escape, to a land where there are no laws, just love — delivering a country-pop anthem for passenger princesses everywhere.
“I’ll be your shotgun rider ’til the day I die / Smoke out the window flyin’ down the 405 / Yeah, I’ll be your backseat baby, drivin’ you crazy / Anytime you like / Woah, I’ll be your shotgun rider ’til the day I til the day I die,” the two sing on the song’s chorus.
While a Bey and Cyrus collab may sound like a wildcard, both of their voices sync up well, with Cyrus giving Bey’s strong melodies some sweet, sugary harmonies. Over the course, both artists have showcased their versatility and their affinity to explore new sounds. Both the Beyhive and the Smilers have been itching for the two to collab for over a decade, and “II Most Wanted” arrives at just the right time.
You can listen to “II Most Wanted” above.
Cowboy Carter is out now via Parkwood and Columbia Records. Find more information here.
Beyoncé’s highly anticipated country album, Act 2: Cowboy Carter, has finally hit the airwaves. The anticipation for the project reached a high point yesterday when she dropped off the tracklist. However, the album showcases a diverse array of features and talent. Released tonight (March 29), the album serves unforgettable journey into the heart of country music, with an impressive lineup of collaborators and an abundance of heartfelt tributes. Miley Cyrus and Post Malone made guest appearances to name a few. Cyrus joins Beyoncé on the track “II Most Wanted,” while Malone lends his distinctive vocals to “Levii’s Jeans.” Additionally, country music legends Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson make appearances on the album, contributing to an interlude alongside Linda Martell, the pioneering black female solo artist who made history at the Grand Ole Opry. In addition, Beyoncé’s daughter Rumi Carter joins her for the track “Protector.”
Moreover, one of the standout moments on the album is Beyoncé’s rendition of Parton’s classic hit, “Jolene.” Following Parton’s interlude, Beyoncé’s soulful interpretation of the 1973 track serves as a powerful homage to the country music icon and adds a fresh perspective to the beloved song. The release of Cowboy Carter follows the surprise drop of singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” during the Super Bowl, building anticipation for the full album. Serving as the long-awaited Act II of Beyoncé’s 2022 project, Renaissance, the album represents a culmination of the singer’s exploration into the country genre.
Moreover, Beyoncé’ recently revealed that her journey to “Cowboy Carter” began five years ago. Furthermore, this revelation was sparked by an incident at the Country Music Association Awards in 2016. Reflecting on her experience, she shared on social media last week that she felt unwelcome in the country music community at the time. However, this experience inspired her to delve deeper into the genre’s rich history, leading to the creation of Cowboy Carter and a newfound appreciation for its musical legacy.
With its diverse lineup of collaborators, heartfelt tributes, and Beyoncé’s unmistakable talent, Cowboy Carter is set to leave a lasting impression on the world of country music. As fans immerse themselves in the album’s captivating melodies and soul-stirring lyrics, they are sure to discover a newfound appreciation for the genre and Beyoncé’s groundbreaking contributions to its evolution. Are you excited to listen to the entire project? Let us know on HNHH which track is your favorite!
Tracklist: AMERICAN REQUIEM BLACKBIRD 16 CARRIAGES PROTECTOR MY ROSE SMOKE HOUR WILLIE NELSON TEXAS HOLD ‘EM BODYGUARD DOLLY P JOLENE DAUGHTER SPAGHETTI ALLIGATOR TEARS SMOKE HOUR II JUST FOR FUN II MOST WANTED LEVII’S JEANS FLAMENCO THE LINDA MARTELL SHOW YA YA OH LOUISIANA DESERT EAGLE RIVERDANCE II HANDS II HEAVEN TYRANT SWEET HONEY BUCKIN’ AMEN
Beyonce fans were probably anticipating that they’d have to wait until Midnight tonight to get all the juicy details on her new country album COWBOY CARTER. But thanks to overseas markets where the album dropped early a flood of information on the record made the rounds ahead of its official release. The included information about its length which is officially an hour and 18 minutes. It also included details about the concept of a country music radio station that runs throughout.
But perhaps most importantly for fans, it confirmed two new collaborators who lent their voices to COWBOY CARTER. Post Malone and Miley Cyrus will both be making contributions to the record, both of whom feel like fitting choices for Bey dipping her toes into country. Miley will be appearing on a song called “II MOST WANTED” while Post will contribute to a track called “LEVII’S JEANS.” The album is due out tonight and will look to make a splash on both the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 in the coming weeks.
COWBOY CARTER has already been teased with two successful singles. After the album’s surprise announcement during the Super Bowl, Bey dropped “16 CARRIAGES” and “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.” The former performed quite well while the latter became a full on smash hit that’s still lingering in the top 10 of the Hot 100.
Another big reveal about the album came earlier in the week. When the names of the tracks on the record were shared it revealed that the project contains a cover version of Dolly Parton’s country classic “JOLENE.” The song also features an appearance from legendary country figure Willie Nelson. Fan hype is through the roof waiting to see just how much Bey indulges in the sounds and styles of country throughout. What do you think of Post Malone and Miley Cyrus making contributions to COWBOY CARTER? Are you looking forward to hearing the new album when it drops tonight? Let us know in the comment section below.
The Beyoncé story continues with the release of her latest album, Cowboy Carter. She didn’t make the project by herself, though, so these are the artists she got to feature on the album.
Who Is Featured On Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Album?
As Consequence notes, the full tracklist with features was revealed before the album’s North American release, when it started being available in international markets like Australia and New Zealand. Shaboozey, Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone are featured on the album. The site also reports the album is presented in the style of a country radio show, and Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell appear as DJs. On a related note, the album also features covers of Parton’s “Jolene” and The Beatles’ “Blackbird.”
Check out the album’s full tracklist below.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tracklist
1. “Ameriican Requiem”
2. “Blackbird” (The Beatles cover)
3. “16 Carriages”
4. “Protector”
5. “My Rose”
6. “Smoke Hour With Willie Nelson”
7. “Texas Hold ‘Em”
8. “Bodyguard”
9. “Dolly P”
10. “Jolene” (Dolly Parton cover)
11. “Daughter”
12. “Spaghettii” Feat. Shaboozey
13. “Alliigator Tears”
14. “Smoke Hour II”
15. “Just For Fun”
16. “II Most Wanted” Feat. Miley Cyrus
17. “Levii’s Jeans” Feat. Post Malone
18. “Flamenco”
19. “The Linda Martell Show”
20. “Ya Ya”
21. “Oh Louisiana”
22. “Desert Eagle”
23. “Riiverdance”
24. “II Hands II Heaven”
25. “Tyrant”
26. “Sweet Honey Buckin’”
27. “Amen”
Cowboy Carter is out 3/29 via Parkwood/Columbia. Find more information here.
Things are about to get real, as we’re just days away from the March 29 release date of Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter. In the lead-up, fans have been clamoring for details about the project, and today (March 27), Beyoncé revealed some big ones by unveiling the tracklist.
The tracklist, as presented on Beyoncé’s Instagram post sharing it, doesn’t confirm or deny the rumors of Travis Scott and Lady Gaga being featured on the album. However, there does appear to be a track called “Dolly P,” followed by a track titled “Jolene,” presumably a cover of Dolly Parton’s classic. Again, the post’s formatting doesn’t make it clear, but it looks like there’s either a song called “Smoke Hour Willie Nelson” or a song called “Smoke Hour” featuring Nelson, with the latter option seeming more likely.
(Update: The full tracklist with features was revealed ahead of the album’s North American release, when it became available in international markets like New Zealand and Australia, as Consequence notes. Featured on the album are Shaboozey, Miley Cyrus, and Post Malone. The publication also notes the album is presented in the style of a country radio show, and making appearances as DJs are Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell.)
Check out the Cowboy Carter tracklist below.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tracklist
01. “Ameriican Requiem”
02. “Blackbird” (The Beatles cover)
03. “16 Carriages”
04. “Protector”
05. “My Rose”
06. “Smoke Hour With Willie Nelson”
07. “Texas Hold ‘Em”
08. “Bodyguard”
09. “Dolly P”
10. “Jolene” (Dolly Parton cover)
11. “Daughter”
12. “Spaghettii” Feat. Shaboozey
13. “Alliigator Tears”
14. “Smoke Hour II”
15. “Just For Fun”
16. “II Most Wanted” Feat. Miley Cyrus
17. “Levii’s Jeans” Feat. Post Malone
18. “Flamenco”
19. “The Linda Martell Show”
20. “Ya Ya”
21. “Oh Louisiana”
22. “Desert Eagle”
23. “Riiverdance”
24. “II Hands II Heaven”
25. “Tytant”
26. “Sweet Honey Buckin’”
27. “Amen”
Cowboy Carter is out 3/29 via Parkwood/Columbia. Find more information here.
Every week, Billboard unveils the top 10 songs on the latest Hot 100 chart. The most recent rankings, for the chart dated February 17, are out now, so let’s run down who had this week’s biggest hits.
10. Miley Cyrus — “Flowers”
Three songs that had big moments at the 2024 Grammys saw some noteworthy chart movement this week, with Cyrus’ former No. 1 “Flowers” re-entering the top 10 after spending last week at No. 32.
9. Doja Cat — “Agora Hills”
“Agora Hills” was at its Hot 100 high of No. 7 this week before sliding down to No. 9 this time around.
While “Greedy” slid down a couple spots from No. 5 last week, it did sell some more copies after McRae performed the song at the NHL All-Star Game on February 3.
“I Remember Everything” once again leads various Billboard charts, ranking No. 1 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Rock Songs charts for a 24th week and the Hot Country Songs for a 20th time.
5. SZA — “Snooze”
“Snooze” was barely hanging onto a top-10 placement last week, but after it was included in SZA’s Grammys performance medley, it gained a few spots to return to the top 5.
4. Taylor Swift — “Cruel Summer”
Swift has a new album, The Tortured Poets Department, on the way, but in the meantime, “Cruel Summer” is maintaining a strong chart presence for Swift before her new songs inevitably take over.
3. Benson Boone — “Beautiful Things”
Boone’s viral hit hit the top 10 for the first time at No. 8 last week, and now its ascent continues as it climbed all the way to a new high at No. 3.
2. Teddy Swims — “Lose Control”
Similar story for Swims: “Lose Control” was No. 4 last week and now it’s angling for the top spot after its rise to No. 2 this week.
1. Jack Harlow — “Lovin On Me”
Harlow’s hit has been jostled in and out of the No. 1 spot a handful of times now, but it’s on top once again for a fifth total week after spending last week at No. 2, behind Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hiss” (which didn’t make this week’s top 10 after its chart-topping debut).
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
