Within an exceptionally brief period since its debut, Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ has surged past the remarkable milestone of one billion streams on Spotify, as confirmed by Parkwood Entertainment. This accomplishment stands as a testament to the album’s widespread acclaim and enduring appeal among listeners worldwide.

In the immediate aftermath of its release, Spotify heralded ‘Cowboy Carter’ as the platform’s most-streamed album in a single day for the year 2024, marking a historic achievement as the first country album to hold such a distinction this year. This record has since been eclipsed by Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’. However, the impact of ‘Cowboy Carter’ extends far beyond Spotify’s streaming metrics.

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The album, which boasts collaborations with esteemed country icons such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Linda Martell, alongside emerging talents like Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Shaboozey, soared to the summit of both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts upon its release. Notably, Beyoncé’s chart-topping debut on the Top Country Albums chart made history, marking her as the first Black woman to achieve this milestone since the chart’s inception in 1964.

Furthermore, ‘Cowboy Carter’ made a formidable impact on the Billboard Hot 100, with a staggering 23 tracks from the album securing placements on the esteemed chart. This feat substantially bolstered Beyoncé’s career accolades, elevating her total chart entries from 85 to an impressive 106, positioning her among an elite group of artists to have achieved over 100 Hot 100 entries, and notably, the third woman to accomplish this remarkable feat.

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Reflecting on the album’s success and its significance in the music landscape, Beyoncé expressed her appreciation for the unifying power of music, emphasising its ability to connect diverse audiences globally while also honouring the rich heritage and contributions of musical pioneers. Addressing the challenges and criticisms she faced upon entering the country music sphere, Beyoncé asserted that these obstacles only fueled her determination to transcend boundaries and merge genres seamlessly.

As a follow-up to her critically acclaimed ‘Renaissance’ era, Beyoncé noted her deliberate exploration of genre-blending in ‘Cowboy Carter’, underscoring that the album transcends conventional labels to represent a bold and innovative extension of her artistic vision. In her words, “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.” With ‘Cowboy Carter,” she proudly invites her audience into Act II of her musical journey, embracing daring creativity and artistic evolution.

Beyoncé to Be Added in French Dictionary as ‘American Singer of R&B and Pop’

Beyoncé’s name is set to make its mark in French history as she joins a select group of 40 individuals to be included in the Larousse dictionary, reports The Times and France 24. The 42-year-old ‘Break My Soul’ singer’s Louisiana Creole heritage is highlighted in her entry, listed as a proper noun with the description “American singer of R&B and pop.”

This prestigious inclusion is part of the 2024 update of the encyclopedic dictionary Petit Larousse Illustré, first published in 1905. The selection process involves a jury annually compiling a list of 150 words and personalities recognized within French-speaking communities. Over 150 new words have been added this year, reflecting contemporary concerns and developments.

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Carine Girac-Marinier, Larousse’s head of dictionaries and encyclopedias, emphasized the importance of individuals reflecting the values of excellence and the promotion of French culture. Among the notable names joining Beyoncé in the update are actress Cate Blanchett, NBA player LeBron James, and film director Christopher Nolan.

Interestingly, Beyoncé’s surname was originally spelt “Beyincé,” derived from her maternal grandparents. However, a hospital misspelt her mother Tina Knowles’ maiden name as “Beyoncé” on her birth certificate and refused to correct it.

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Knowles recalled the incident in an episode of ‘In My Head with Heather Thomson’ in 2020, highlighting the racial disparities of the time and the significance of obtaining a birth certificate for Black individuals.