advertisement
Music News

Linda Martell Is ‘Proud’ of Beyoncé for ‘Exploring Her Country Music Roots’ on ‘Cowboy Carter’

The living legend is featured on two tracks on the superstar's new album.

Linda Martell Is ‘Proud’ of Beyoncé for ‘Exploring Her Country Music Roots’ on ‘Cowboy Carter’

Linda Martell is passing the torch. Shortly after the release of Beyoncé‘s new album Cowboy Carter Friday (March 29) — on which the living legend is featured twice — she shared a touching message praising the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer’s decision to embrace country music through the project.

Regarded as the first Black woman to become commercially successful as a country soloist, Martell lent her voice to two tracks on Cowboy Carter: “Spaghetti” and “The Linda Martell Show.” Sharing a screenshot of the latter track, the musician wrote on Instagram Friday morning, “I am proud that @beyonce is exploring her country music roots.”


advertisement

“What she is doing is beautiful, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” she continued. “It’s Beyoncé, after all!”

On “Spaghetti,” Martell introduces the song — which also features Virginia country star Shaboozey — with a voice note touching on Bey’s experimentation with musical styles on Cowboy Carter. “Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they?” she says. “In theory, they have a simple definition that’s easy to understand, but in practice, well, some may feel confined.”

Released as the second act to 2022’s Renaissance, the Ivy Park founder’s new album also features cameos from Dolly Parton — whose classic hit “Jolene” Bey reimagines on the album — Willie Nelson, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus and Willie Jones. On a haunting rendition of The Beatles “Blackbird,” the 32-time Grammy winner invited a handful of modern Black female country stars — Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts — to sing harmonies.

Cyrus posted her own thank-you note to Beyoncé Friday morning in celebration of their Cowboy Carter duet, titled “II Most Wanted.”

“I’ve loved Beyonce since long before I had the opportunity to meet & work with her,” the “Flowers” singer wrote. “My admiration runs so much deeper now that I’ve created along side of her. Thank you Beyonce. You’re everything & more.”

advertisement

See Martell’s post about Cowboy Carter below.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

advertisement
Great Lake Swimmers
Robert Georgeff

Great Lake Swimmers

FYI

Music News Digest: National Music Centre Opens OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary for Indigenous Artists, Great Lake Swimmers Hit The Road

Also this week: Toronto's Our Music Festival returns for a third edition, Wavemakers: Music Futures Conference & Showcase launches in Halifax.

OHSOTO’KINO is an Indigenous programming initiative from the National Music Centre focusing on three elements: creation of new music in NMC’s recording studios, artist development through a music incubator program and exhibitions via the annually updated Speak Up! gallery. The OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary program is open to First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. Two submissions — one for contemporary music, one for traditional genres — will be awarded a one-week recording session at Studio Bell to produce a commercial release. The deadline to apply here is March 1. Past recipients of the bursary include Juno winner Joel Wood, Twin Flames and PIQSIQ.

advertisement

keep readingShow less
advertisement