Beyonce becomes first black woman to earn a country No. 1

Beyoncé made history by achieving her first country No. 1 with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” debuting atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart on February 20. This milestone also marks her as the first Black woman to hold the top spot on the chart, with only Taylor Swift preceding her in debuting at No. 1. “Texas Hold ‘Em” also debuted at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, her highest-ever debut. Despite only four days of tracking since its release during the Super Bowl, it is expected to rise to No. 1 on the Hot 100 after a full week of numbers. Additionally, her second single from Act II, titled “16 Carriages,” entered the Hot 100 at No. 38 and Hot Country Songs at No. 9. The success of “Texas Hold ‘Em” highlights the significance of the multi-metric Hot Country Songs chart, which considers sales, streams, and radio airplay, in contrast to the radio-focused Country Airplay chart. While Beyoncé’s country success may not immediately translate to radio traction, her achievement adds to her collection of No. 1s across various Billboard charts, showcasing her versatility and widespread appeal across genres.

Renaissance Act II is scheduled to be released on March 29, 2024.