After the 66th annual Grammy Awards on February 4, rumors have been circulating about Beyoncé's upcoming album, even though she has not officially announced it yet. Fans are convinced that her next record will be a country album based on various clues.
Beyoncé's previous album, titled Renaissance, was referred to as "Act I" on her website and social media, leading fans to believe that it might be part of a trilogy. Although it is unclear if her next album will be the second act of the trilogy, some speculate that it could be a different project altogether.
Speculations about Beyoncé releasing a country album intensified after she attended the 2024 Grammys. A source familiar with her project mentioned that the album might feature both dance and country-leaning tracks, or that the country music might have its own separate album. These claims, however, have not been confirmed or denied by Beyoncé or her team.
Furthermore, Beyoncé has previously ventured into country music with her song "Daddy Lessons" from her 2016 album Lemonade. Despite its Southern twang, the track was rejected by the Grammys for consideration in the country category. Beyoncé even performed the song at the Country Music Association Awards with The Chicks.
Another clue that led fans to believe in the possibility of a country album was Beyoncé's 2021 Adidas collection, called "Ivy Park Rodeo." Inspired by the Black Cowboy experience, the promotional video exudes a country vibe.
Given Beyoncé's history of dropping hints and Easter eggs, such as her paparazzi photos teasing her song "7/11" and her mention of a "renaissance emerging" in an interview, fans have been analyzing her recent appearances for clues. During the Grammy Awards, she wore a white cowboy hat along with a studded leather jacket and skirt, which fans interpreted as a hint towards a country music release.
Considering Beyoncé's deep connection to her Southern roots and her previous forays into country music, a country album in the future would align with her artistic trajectory.
