Apple Music recently released a series of covers centered around Beyoncé’s career for the end of their programming for Black Music Month.
As part of the Apple Music Sessions special, some of the newest acts in country music were chosen to perform their own versions of her greatest hits. Along with musicians BRELAND, Joy Oladokun and Madeline Edwards, Beyoncé’s collaborators on her latest release “COWBOY CARTER,” Brittney Spencer, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy, took part in the sessions.
Each of the six artists covered a track from a different one of Beyoncé’s eras. Whereas Edwards covered “Halo” and Spencer covered “Irreplaceable,” Kennedy, BRELAND and Oladokun recorded their own versions of “1+1,” “Sandcastles” and “II MOST WANTED,” respectively.
Through the program, Apple Music is highlighting “Cowboy Carter’s” and Beyoncé’s overall impact on the music industry.
“Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is a tribute to the history of Black music, and especially Country music. It honors pioneering musicians whose outlaw spirit paved the way for her — and for many other artists who’ve been inspired to add their unique stories to the ever-evolving genre,” Apple Music said in a press release. “To celebrate her genre-redefining album and her profound impact on music in general, six Black artists pay homage to Queen B by putting their own spin on some of her greatest hits — new and old — for this special Apple Music Nashville Session.”
Since its release on March 29, “COWBOY CARTER” has garnered critical acclaim and broken various records. On Spotify, it broke the record for the biggest debut for a country album and the biggest debut by a Black woman ever, becoming the most streamed album in a day this year.
With the album, Beyoncé also became the first woman and second person ever to have her first eight albums debut on top of the charts. She also became the first Black woman to have a number-one country album in the U.S. and the first Black artist to reach the top of the UK charts with a country album.
On the release day, the 32-time Grammy Award winner opened up about the album’s creation, revealing that it was born out of an experience that inspired her to explore the genre more.
“It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history,” Beyoncé said in a post. “The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. Act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking the time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
