Beyoncé has some people excited about country music. In a genre that has long been at the center of debate for its lack of diversity, the superstar’s “Act II: Cowboy Carter” album is not just stirring conversation, but also piquing interest about Black country artists.
While Beyoncé has asserted that her latest effort “ain’t a Country album,” the genre’s influence can’t be denied – from the singer’s recent cowgirl fashion aesthetic, to the Bey-ified cover of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene,” to the inclusion of Black country artists like Tanner Adell, Willie Jones, Tiera Kennedy, Linda Martell, Reyna Roberts, Brittney Spencer and alt-country artist Shaboozey.
But they aren’t the only ones whose careers could benefit from Queen Bey’s entrance into country music. They say a rising tide lifts all boats, and here are just a few of the artists who could potentially ride the wave of attention now being paid to Black performers seeking to make their mark in country music.
The BoykinZ
This quartet of singing sisters from the suburbs outside of Atlanta can already count Kelly Clarkson and Shania Twain as fans. After going viral on TikTok for their tight harmonies and energetic dance moves, the young women were treated to a surprise meeting with Twain during an appearance on Clarkson’s daytime talk show last year. Twain took the opportunity to invite them to join her on stage at the CMT Awards.
“I invited them to do a little acappella piece with me tonight, just as part of my exchange of supporting upcoming young female artists, people that might, in this day and age, be excluded,” Twain told People at the time.
These days, the group couldn’t be more excited about Beyoncé’s new album and the buzz it’s created. “I think it’s such a beautiful thing, honestly,” Kylan Boykin, 22, told CNN. “We listened to the album, and we’re just stunned by what she did. Her creativity is on a whole other level and we believe it’s opening doors for artists like ourselves to be just as creative and to do whatever we want in this genre.”
Her 19-year-old sister and fellow group member Nytere Boykin said she understands why Beyoncé made it clear that “Cowboy Carter” is not a traditional country album. “I love what she did. Each and every song has a uniqueness to it, and it wasn’t true to one genre,” Nytere Boykin said.
The pair, along with their sisters Anale, 21, and Alona, 17, are working on their debut album and are feeling inspired. “[Beyoncé] did what she wanted to do and it’s so inspiring,” Kylan Boykin added. “I think it speaks to everybody in many different ways that you can do whatever you want to do and not to hold back and limit yourself to what people think you should be doing, no matter your race, where you come from, your size or anything so that’s awesome.”
RVSHVD
RVSHVD (pronounced Ra-shad) is another Georgia native who is making his way in the country music industry. His songs like “Hit Different,” “For The Streets” and “Small Town Talk” blend a hip-hop influence with his obvious love of country.
Last year, the artist born Clint Rashad Johnson told Billboard it all started for him when he heard Keith Urban’s 2009 hit “Sweet Thing.” “I was like, ‘Okay, that ain’t bad.’ My dad would listen to all kinds of music — Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, gospel. He did all kinds of jobs, and had me out working with him, washing cars and hauling scraps,” he said. “He would listen to country while he worked. He tried to get me to listen to country, and I didn’t like it at first.”