Beyoncé’s surprise announcement of a country album, Renaissance: act ii, has sparked mixed reactions from fans and critics alike.
While some praised the singer for exploring her Texas roots and expanding her musical range, others were less impressed by her attempt to break into the genre. One of the most vocal critics was rapper Azealia Banks, who took to Instagram to blast Beyoncé for her “lazy” and “grift” country pivot.
Banks, who is known for her controversial opinions and feuds with other celebrities, wrote on her Instagram Stories that she was not feeling the Queen Bey’s new direction. “I love you…but them r&b runs over the leslie feist back beats is giving pickmesha… . Nothing country about it,” she wrote. “You’re setting yourself up to be ridiculed again. There’s a theatrical element to country music !!! Them critics are not just going to accept an ugly blond wig and bullying from jay-z !!! It’s giving big time musical grift… [Y]ou’re just really not hitting the button.”
Banks also unfavorably compared Beyoncé’s country effort to a similar pivot by singer K. Michelle, who made her own move to country in March 2023, telling People at the time: “Country music is who I am.” Michelle has since performed at the Country Music Awards, though she has not yet released a full-length project in that style. “K.michelle this is your turn to really execute,” Banks wrote. “It’s no shade but K Michelle truly understands the assignment… Beyoncé…you will gag when k Michelle tears it.”
Beyoncé announced the arrival of Renaissance: act ii in a multi-layered reveal that started with a new Super Bowl ad for Verizon. In it, Beyoncé and the network’s now iconic “Can You Hear Me Now” tech try a number of different schemes to see if Queen Bey can “break the internet” once again. The commercial ends with the former Destiny’s Child star blasting off to space as a fictional news anchor announces her plans to deliver the first live performance from space. In the last few seconds of the ad, Bey says: “Okay, they ready, drop the new music.”
The surprise Verizon ad had the intended effect of driving fans to her socials as they looked for additional hints as to how to access Beyoncé’s latest offering.
Moments after the ad premiered, she delivered with a Texas-themed trailer for the new project, which is set to arrive on March 29. She also dropped two new songs that are both featured on Renaissance: act ii: “Texas Hold 'Em” and “16 Carriages.”
