EBN- Beyoncé has become the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, after her track Texas Hold ‘Em debuted at No 1.
In a genre whose relationship to Black artists has often proved controversial, the track marked one of several historical achievements when weekly chart rankings refreshed on Tuesday.
Texas Hold ‘Em – released simultaneously with the single 16 Carriages in a surprise album announcement during the Super Bowl – is Beyoncé’s first time topping the country charts.
It has also made her the second solo female artist – with no accompanying featured artists – to debut at No 1, after Taylor Swift achieved the feat in 2021 with her re-recordings of Love Story and All Too Well.
Beyoncé is also the first woman to top both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hip Songs charts since the lists began in 1958. Justin Bieber, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ray Charles and Morgan Wallen are the only other artists who have led both charts.
The Hot Country Songs chart is a “multi-metric” chart which combines US sales, streams, and radio airplay, much like Billboard’s primary Hot 100 chart.
Tuesday’s charts reflected the seven days leading up to 15 February – which means Texas Hold ‘Em, released 11 February, achieved its slots after just four days of tracking.
Both singles will appear on Beyoncé’s second instalment of her Renaissance trilogy, set for release on 29 March.
The country chart achievements come after an online firestorm last week around Texas Hold ‘Em’s categorisation as a country track.
