Beyoncé calls out country music industry, reflects on a time 'where I did not feel welcomed'

Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" album reflects her tumultuous relationship with mainstream country music over the past years.

[{"selector":"#anim-1ac1257e-a8f3-4402-83d2-ffd070f5830c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22b9eb0f-c4d0-4960-896e-eedbc7fe7313","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.84931%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The album, set to release on March 24th, marks Beyoncé's deep dive into country music, challenging genre limitations.

[{"selector":"#anim-443961e4-4190-4220-92c2-21eeca0a7324","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fffebaba-66f2-4c16-b84a-dd527ff3ca16","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.57534%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Beyoncé's imagery for the album nods to her Houston roots, featuring her in a Western suit atop a white stallion.

[{"selector":"#anim-4fd7332a-6cf0-4bc1-abfb-75e171bd7c89","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb52bcb4-3ac6-41fe-b46b-f63e35dc96fd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.30137%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "Cowboy Carter" is a culmination of five years of work and negative experiences within the country music genre.

[{"selector":"#anim-cef24105-bb7f-4957-970b-4ba15c2c5eca","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eda57709-0431-46d1-a37a-67941ed65139","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.84931%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Beyoncé's performance of "Daddy Lessons" at the 2016 CMAs sparked controversy but was viewed by some as a reclamation of country music's African-American roots.

[{"selector":"#anim-62746ec8-772c-4e82-b1d6-36ab6e089b54","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b85f29f-c475-4d3e-8985-0302ea307cf3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.84931%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The album features collaborations with respected artists and reflects Beyoncé's heart, soul, and passion.

[{"selector":"#anim-4388caf1-ed8c-45d9-b987-326c89563e2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-330c8b3c-0a55-4a74-91c5-e85764af43dd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.57534%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Beyoncé emphasizes that "Cowboy Carter" is not a strictly country album but a continuation of her artistic journey.

[{"selector":"#anim-b4af2dea-21c5-4681-b09f-e74d3ac458e1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53a98608-3c83-4dd7-8267-90d115b46acf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.30137%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] She hopes the music will provide an immersive experience for listeners, inviting them on a continuous journey.