Houston | Beyoncé’s country album delights her hometown

(Houston) “We are very proud of her”: in Houston, Beyoncé fans, cowboy hats on their heads and smiles on their faces, celebrate the release of the diva’s first country album.

In this Texas town where “Queen B” was born, a special evening was held on the occasion of the album’s release on Friday Cowboy Carterthe world star’s powerful tribute to black country culture.

Roller skates on their feet, dozens of fans wiggle to the 27 tracks of the album, played for the occasion in the open air by a DJ.

“She’s from the South, she’s from Texas […] It was only a matter of time before she released an entire country album! », exclaims Valeria Pasquel, participant in the event.

With this new album, the 42-year-old singer pays homage to her origins and dusts off the image of country music reserved for white and male artists.

“A black woman can’t do country music? Anything ! Beyoncé can do any genre of music, and all black women can do what they want,” says Lindsey Cooken, who came to skate with friends, cowboy hat on her head.

“Beyoncé always makes sure to remind us of that and that’s what I love about her,” continues this Texan with a big smile, “we are very proud of her.”

In 2016, the singer was the target of conservatives after singing her country hit Daddy Lessonsduring the awards of the association of this musical genre.

“His new album is simply brilliant,” says Lashria Hadley. “It makes us aware of the origins of country music. A lot of people don’t know that country music started with us African-Americans,” says this nurse.

Country music draws on the African-American roots of the United States, particularly the banjo, used by African slaves deported to the continent and the Caribbean. But black artists have historically been kept out of it.

“I really like the fact that it pays tribute to many great black artists like Linda Martell who started in country but who were unfortunately ousted,” says Austin Davis Ruiz, civil servant.

“It’s probably his best album,” he believes. “I find it so thoughtful, so new, and so different from anything she’s done before.”