Beyoncé Makes History, Becomes First Black Woman to Top Billboard’s Country Songs Chart

Beyoncé has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Black woman to reach the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with her track “Texas Hold ‘Em.” This achievement is particularly significant in a genre that has had a complex relationship with Black artists.

Chart-Topping Success

“Texas Hold ‘Em” is part of a surprise album announcement made during the Super Bowl and marks Beyoncé’s first venture to the top of the country charts. The song’s debut at No. 1 also makes her the second solo female artist to achieve this feat without any featured artists, following Taylor Swift’s success in 2021.

A Versatile Artist

Beyoncé’s chart dominance extends beyond country music, as she’s also the first woman to top both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts since their inception in 1958. She joins an exclusive group of artists, including Justin Bieber and Ray Charles, who have led both charts.

Chart Metrics and Impact

The Hot Country Songs chart, like Billboard’s Hot 100, combines sales, streams, and radio airplay. “Texas Hold ‘Em” saw impressive numbers, with 19.2 million streams and 39,000 downloads in just four days following its release. The song also made a strong debut on the Hot 100 chart and will feature on Beyoncé’s upcoming Renaissance trilogy installment.

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The Controversy

The song’s classification as a country track sparked an online debate, with a country radio station in Oklahoma initially refusing to play it. However, following a viral campaign on social media, the station reversed its decision, and “Texas Hold ‘Em” is now being promoted to country radio.

Charting New Territory

Beyoncé’s entry onto the Country Airplay chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em” marks her first appearance on this chart, which solely measures radio play. Her success in the country genre follows previous controversies, such as the debate over Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” and the rejection of her track “Daddy Lessons” by the Recording Academy’s country music committee.

Beyoncé’s historic achievement on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart speaks to her versatility as an artist and her ability to break barriers in the music industry. Her success in the country genre adds another chapter to the ongoing discourse around country music’s politics and its evolving definition.