During Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, Beyoncé shocked the world by revealing her upcoming album, Renaissance Act II, in a Verizon commercial. In the ad, Beyoncé teased fans with her signature flair before dropping the bombshell announcement, leaving everyone eagerly awaiting the release. Alongside the ad, two new tracks, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” debuted on streaming platforms, confirming rumors that Beyoncé was venturing into the country genre.
To further hype up the album, Beyoncé shared an Instagram video paying tribute to Wim Wenders’ 1984 film Paris, Texas, where she is seen cruising down a rural Texas road in a yellow taxi. The video showcased a billboard featuring Beyoncé in a pink lingerie ensemble, complete with a cowboy hat and boots, adding to the excitement surrounding the new album’s country theme.
Renaissance Act II follows the first installment of Beyoncé’s “three-act project,” recorded during the pandemic, which kicked off with the release of Renaissance in 2022. While the first album celebrated house music, Act II takes a dive into the country genre, with Beyoncé collaborating with prominent Black country artists Rhiannon Giddens and Robert Randolph on the first two singles. Giddens, known for her advocacy of the banjo’s roots in Black culture, contributed banjo and viola to “Texas Hold ‘Em,” while Randolph showcased his steel guitar skills on “16 Carriages.”
Fans speculate that Act III may explore rock music, completing the trilogy of genres rooted in Black culture. Beyoncé’s recent Western-themed outfit at the 2024 Grammy Awards further fueled anticipation for the album’s release.
Scheduled for release on Friday, March 29, Act II promises more surprises and collaborations, with fans hoping for appearances by other Black country stars like Linda Martell and The Chicks. As Beyoncé continues to push boundaries and redefine genres, Renaissance Act II is poised to be another groundbreaking chapter in her legendary career.