beyonce and jay z tour 2018

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z Squeeze Triumph From Reconciliation

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By Jon Caramanica

• Aug. 3, 2018

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Before Beyoncé and Jay-Z even made it to the MetLife Stadium stage here on Thursday night, the rain arrived for a baptism. Everyone in the audience was ordered to leave their seats and take shelter, and the beginning of the show was delayed more than an hour. As the skies opened, the stadium floor was empty and still, anticipating renewal.

But it wasn’t until a quarter after midnight that the real cleansing began. By then, the stadium was filled up again, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z — the Carters, here for the On the Run II tour — were about halfway into their performance.

First, Beyoncé was seated onstage, ripping into a ferocious song about trying to save the shards of a relationship, “I Care,” searing with disillusionment and resentment. Behind her, Jay-Z descended on an elevator, weaving in snatches of “4:44,” a confession of fallibility and moral spinelessness.

Then Jay-Z made his way to the end of one of the two parallel catwalks that thrust out onto the stadium floor and delivered “Song Cry,” an older track, and one filled with regret. At the end, he added a new verse, one that appeared to be tuned to specifics of the marital difficulties that have, at least publicly, bedeviled the Carters in recent years. Up until that point, the energy in the stadium had been exuberant, celebratory, easy. But Jay-Z focused it to a point, brought it low, took the air out of the room.

Then it was his wife’s turn. As he finished, Beyoncé emerged on the other catwalk in a lustrous orange gown. She sang “Resentment,” also an old song, but one with a raw, very present ache. If Jay-Z had brought everything in the room to a pause, Beyoncé held it there — she sang as if suspended in time and space, extracting ever deeper sentiments while around her, nothing moved.

There was an interlude after this, and it was needed. When Jay-Z and Beyoncé perform together, it is a lesson in the history of the last two-plus decades in pop: hip-hop’s ascent to ubiquity paired with a robust, vibrant reinterpretation of classic soul theatrics through current-day aesthetics.

But in recent years especially, it is also a high-stakes play about faithfulness and disappointment, and a lesson on how private narratives can make for transformative public art.

The last time Beyoncé and Jay-Z toured together, in the original On the Run tour , was the summer of 2014. It began only a few weeks after TMZ posted footage of Beyoncé’s sister, Solange, attacking Jay-Z in an elevator after that year’s Met Gala. Before that moment, the Jay-Z/Beyoncé union had operated largely in the shadows, but since then, huge swaths of their creative output — and their public narrative — have been oriented around marital trauma.

In 2016, Beyoncé released “Lemonade,” the most musically and thematically ambitious album of her career, the one that positioned her as something grander than an excellent vocalist and urgent performer. It also revealed that aggravation, left to fester, would result in irrefutably pointed music. Jay-Z’s “4:44,” released last year, painted him as a penitent, a man hitting middle age and engaging with his demons head-on.

And finally, this year, the long promised collaborative album “Everything Is Love” — which they released as the Carters — brought the trilogy to a vigorous conclusion, trading finger-pointing for hand-holding and fist-pumping.

When the Carters re-emerged together after the aforementioned run of songs, it was as royalty: Beyoncé in purple and gold, Jay-Z in a blue suit. The stage began to move, hovering out over the center of the stadium floor as the couple surveyed their faithful close-up.

As an advertisement for the successful healing of old wounds, this performance was largely exemplary. Almost every time Beyoncé showed Jay-Z a flicker of attention, or lust, the crowd roared. Throughout the night Jay-Z appeared humbled, even when performing his most boastful material. At one point, he bowed to the crowd, one section at a time. Beyoncé’s voice was strong, and her dancing energized, though her overall intensity wasn’t quite at the level of her transcendent Coachella performance earlier this year.

But apart from the segment of the night in which the two appeared to be addressing their issues, and each other, this tour wasn’t radically different from the one four years ago. There were also set pieces cribbed from earlier performances of theirs. What has changed is that, in that time, Beyoncé has become the pre-eminent performer in pop, and the public power dynamic of their relationship has switched — she is the worldbeater now, and he is in the background.

Also, their catalogs aren’t always compatible. Jay-Z’s most celebratory moments arrive with pomposity, and Beyoncé is more given to joy. And when they turn inward, Jay-Z can be reserved, while Beyoncé seethes. Sometimes, the transitions between her songs and his, or vice versa, were awkward.

But when they performed together — “Crazy in Love,” “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” — they were fleet and carefree. And near the end of the night, as Jay-Z started up one of his hardest-hitting songs, “U Don’t Know,” the screen behind him showed a set of female horn players. It was a move from the Beyoncé playbook, making his work better and more layered by learning from the partner standing right next to him.

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Beyoncé & Jay-Z: OTR II review – heart-stopping scenes from a marriage

Principality Stadium, Cardiff On the opening night of their collaborative world tour, the biggest couple in pop are glorious and charismatic – even if the romantic story arc plays down their trauma

A s self-mythologising couples go, not many come close to Beyoncé and Jay-Z . The pair’s first collaboration, ’03 Bonnie and Clyde, was a tale of devotional love accompanied by a video featuring Beyoncé as the ride-or-die moll to her rumoured boyfriend’s gangster. It’s a story they’ve stuck to over the years – this is their second On the Run tour, and the theme remains intact: the film that punctuates this first night show introduces “the gangster and the queen” and keeps returning to an image of a hotel room carpeted with cash. Yet the intervening decade and a half – and an infamous few seconds of CCTV footage from an elevator – has complicated what was once a straightforward way to bolster each other’s brands. Far from living in codependent bliss, theirs is a relationship now defined in the public eye by betrayal and rage. As the pair detailed on their respective recent albums – Lemonade and 4:44 – Jay-Z was unfaithful, almost letting, as the guilty party put it, “the baddest girl in the world get away”.

So the narrative has been recalibrated: the pair begin proceedings by hammering home the deathless nature of their love rather than its perfection. On a colossal screen, footage and slogans reinforce this idea of resilience, taking in a staged argument between the pair and never before seen pictures of their baby twins . The effect feels remarkably intimate for a stadium show, but also scrupulously posed – a tone that can feel disorientating as Beyoncé switches between songs about crazed lust and ballads about romantic betrayal (most starkly on 2006’s newly relevant Resentment).

But anyone hoping for this psychodrama in cartoonish panto format would have been sorely disappointed. The pair gaze at each other moonishly from the get-go: a vision of matrimonial love that, considering they are explicitly cashing in on their interpersonal trauma, can come off as slightly one-dimensional.

Which is not to say the show that services this message isn’t staggeringly impressive. The Beyoncé-mania that has gripped pop culture in recent years isn’t just poptimism gone mad: this is a woman who matches increasingly sophisticated and trailblazing material with once-in-a-generation onstage charisma. Her swagger is such that it can feel like the power dynamic between the two performers has been upended – once the sidekick, nowadays she’s the one taking her rapper husband for a ride as he hitches his wagon to her staggering cultural capital.

At first, this shift is writ large: Jay-Z initially seems as though he’s keeping the stage warm for Beyoncé while she gets her breath back. By the end though, he’s not been outshone – mainly because of his arsenal of glorious modern classics (99 Problems, Niggas In Paris, Big Pimpin’) and perhaps partly because of his excessive costume changes, which put Beyoncé’s meagre half-dozen sequined leotards in the shade.

Where Jay-Z does his hits justice, Beyoncé provides both the little treats – mouthing along to Jay’s raps; showcasing a peerless range of screwfaces; mercilessly barking “sing it” to her apparently lax fanbase – and a couple of heartstopping one-offs. She’s chameleonic, segueing from an imperious rendition of Lemonade’s Led Zeppelin-sampling Jack White collaboration Don’t Hurt Yourself to operatic singing, flanked by her dancers in a renaissance tableaux. During Sorry, she pauses midway through to turn the lyric “suck on my balls” into a faintly chilling haka-style refrain (hilariously, the song is followed by Jay-Z’s deeply-ironic-in-the-circumstances 99 Problems).

While Beyoncé’s recent shows have been characterised by identity and politics – her Coachella performance celebrated black college culture; her Superbowl show paid tribute to the Black Panthers – that’s not the MO here. But the slivers of material in that department are worth waiting for. Excerpts from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s We Should All Be Feminists speech gets pride of place on the massive screen; Sorry is punctuated by Beyoncé asking women in the audience whether they’ve “had enough”, in highly charged fashion. Jay-Z takes the mantle when it comes to race, airing the video for 4:44’s The Story of OJ after a female dancer twists and turns to Nina Simone’s Four Women.

The pair bow out with their evergreen 2003 hit Crazy In Love, a rendition of Jay Z’s Young Forever, and a film that sees them reconvene at the altar. It is hard to digest this smooth romantic arc when everyone knows how fraught their relationship has been – but that feeling is offset by the sheer majesty of their creative partnership, which surely only death could do part.

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z Officially Announce the “On the Run II” Tour

This not a drill: Beyoncé and Jay-Z are officially going on tour together, for "On the Run II.” It will be the first time since the first “On the Run” series brought the superpower couple together to perform songs from Beyoncé and Magna Carta Holy Grail. The two announced the tour on Beyoncé’s Instagram account, in photos and a video emblazoned with the letters “OTR II.” In one photo, Bey rides on the back of a motorcycle driven by Jay, with a steer’s skull placed on the handlebars, and in the video Jay wears a bandanna, keeping in line with the duo’s recent Coachella-themed Instagram photoshoots (as well as the “On the Run” vibe).

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A joint tour has been rumored for months and was all but leaked last week when a tour date in Philadelphia was posted on Facebook and Ticketmaster then quickly deleted. Now do we know for certain that America’s king and queen will be gracing us with their joint presence. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 19, and shows will kick off on Wednesday, June 6, starting in Cardiff, Wales. A 21-date North American tour starts July 25 in Cleveland.

By Philipp Wehsack

By Elise Taylor

By Jenny Berg

Check out the official tour schedule and on-sale dates below:

“On the Run II” European Tour Dates

June 6 Cardiff, UK Principality Stadium On sale March 23

June 9 Glasgow, UK Hampden Park On sale March 23

June 13 Manchester, UK Etihad Stadium On sale March 23

June 15 London, UK London Stadium On sale March 23

June 19 Amsterdam, NL Amsterdam Arena On sale March 19

June 23 Copenhagen, DK Parken Stadium On sale March 19

June 25 Stockholm, SW Friends Arena On sale March 23

June 28 Berlin, DE Olympiastadion On sale March 19

June 30 Warsaw, PL Stadion Narodowy On sale March 23

July 3 Cologne, DE RheinEnergieStadion On sale March 19

July 6 Milan, IT San Siro On sale March 19

July 8 Rome, IT Stadio Olimpico On sale March 19

July 11 Barcelona, ES Olympic Stadium On sale March 19

July 14 Paris, FR Stade de France On sale March 19

July 17 Nice, FR Allianz Riviera On sale March 19

“On the Run II” North American Tour Dates

July 25 Cleveland, OH FirstEnergy Stadium On sale March 19

July 28 Washington, DC FedEx Field On sale March 19

July 30 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field On sale March 19

August 2 E. Rutherford, NJ MetLife Stadium On sale March 19

August 5 Boston, MA Gillette Stadium On sale March 19

August 8 Minneapolis, MN US Bank Stadium On sale March 19

August 10 Chicago, IL Soldier Field On sale March 19

August 13 Detroit, MI Ford Field On sale March 19

August 18 Buffalo, NY New Era Field On sale March 19

August 23 Nashville, TN Vanderbilt Stadium On sale March 19

August 25 Atlanta, GA Mercedes Benz Stadium On sale March 19

August 29 Orlando, FL Camping World Stadium On sale March 19

August 31 Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium On sale March 19

September 11 Arlington, TX AT&T Stadium On sale March 19

September 13 New Orleans, LA Mercedes-Benz Superdome On sale March 19

September 15 Houston, TX NRG Stadium On sale March 19

September 19 Phoenix, AZ University of Phoenix Stadium On sale March 19

September 22 Los Angeles, CA Rose Bowl On sale March 19

September 27 San Diego, CA SDCCU Stadium On sale March 19

September 29 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium On sale March 19

October 2 Vancouver, BC BC Place On sale March 19

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Everything That Happened at Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s On the Run II Tour Opening Night

It’s been all quiet on the Beyoncé and Jay-Z front since Beychella, except, wait, no it hasn’t — they’ve been prepping for a world tour! Their current sequel to the 2014 On the Run tour (titled On the Run II, natch) kicked off in Cardiff, Wales, on Wednesday night, because once again, the Brits get all the fun. Of course, some things went down, including the reveal that they renewed their vows. And, there was a moment sure to get Kanye’s blood boiling. Let’s recap, shall we?

They entered in an elevator. Because please believe if anyone is going to keep capitalizing on that 2014 Met Gala elevator fight between Solange and Jay-Z , it’s going to be Beyoncé and Jay-Z. As Bey likes to tell us, there was a billion dollars in that elevator that night, and probably close to a trillion now in the one they’re descending from on this tour.

A Rumi and Sir fake-out! It was thought to be the first official glimpse of the twins in months, but turns out, they’re reportedly just some other babies. Still cute though.

Their stage floats — and Jay-Z did “Niggas in Paris” from it. On a scale of “internal screaming” to “nuclear warfare,” how livid do we think Kanye “I invented the floating stage” West is right now?

Their Jamaica footage is used for the interludes. Earlier this year, Bey and Hov were spotted in Jamaica filming visuals for something top secret , but what? An album?! High-concept home movies? No, just tour footage for the interludes. In one of them, they run toward each into the desert. In another, they have bedroom time. They also have family time with the kids in one, and then the house burns down. Deep!

They’ve renewed their vows. Their show ends with another interlude in which they get baptized, meet each other at a church blindfolded, and recommit their faith to each other. Earlier this year, they celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. And in new footage debuted at the show, the couple reveal that they renewed their vows in front of their three children.

There are more home movies. Just like the first iteration of this tour, it closes with a ballad — this time, Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” — and personal home videos of their family.

Life: it’s still real. Some of the tour visuals are recycled from the first run, including their “This is real life” disclaimer. But who can really be sure it is.

They’re going with a modified Bonnie & Clyde theme. Where Jay-Z’s still the criminal and Bey is his accomplice, but she still wears the crown and occupies the throne.

It sounds like they’re using the same Beychella marching band. Which you can hear on their rendition of “Drunk in Love.”

And Bey’s “Everybody Mad” dance breakdown is back!

The pink Beychella monochrome is still in full effect, but revamped.

Beyoncé served lewks.

And grained on that wood . Myyyy goodness.

The merch mercilessly shades Jay-Z’s infidelity. They’re selling hoodies with the etymology for the word “Fuckery” on it, as well as hoodies that chronicle the journey of their marriage, including “the confession,” “the fight,” “the nightmare,” “the lies,” “the heartbreak,” and “the revenge.”

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It's Official: Beyoncé, Jay-Z Announce On The Run II Tour

The GRAMMY winners will spend the summer on tour in Europe and the United States

After much speculation — and a Ticketmaster leak — it's finally official. Beyoncé and Jay-Z are heading back on tour.

The power couple are teaming for On The Run II, which will take them across arenas and stadiums in Europe and the United States this summer.

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On The Run II will kick off in Europe in Cardiff, Wales, on June 6, with the 15-date leg extending until July 17 in Nice, France. 

The 21-concert U.S. leg will commence June 25 in Cleveland. Hova and Bey will then hit up Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. The tour is scheduled to wrap with a Canadian date on Oct. 2 in Vancouver. 

Tickets go on pre-sale March 14 via the  Beyhive  and Tidal, and will then be available March 19 through  LiveNation .  Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Beyond Country: All The Genres Beyoncé Explores On 'Cowboy Carter'

On 'COWBOY CARTER,' Beyoncé is free. Her eighth studio album is an unbridled exploration of musical genres — from country to opera and R&B — that celebrates the fluidity of music and her Texas roots.

"Genres are a funny little concept, aren't they? In theory, they have a simple definition that's easy to understand. But in practice, well, some may feel confined."

With those words, spoken on "SPAGHETTII" by Linda Martell — the first commercially successful Black female artist in country music and the first to play the Grand Ole Opry solo — Beyoncé provides a proxy response to her original call on Instagram 10 days before COWBOY CARTER was released: "This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album." 

She delivered on that promise with intent. Through a mix of homage and innovation, Beyoncé's latest is a 27-track testament to her boundless musicality and draws  from a rich aural palette. In addition to its country leanings, COWBOY CARTER includes everything from the soulful depths of gospel to the intricate layers of opera. 

Beyoncé's stance is clear: she's not here to fit into a box. From the heartfelt tribute in "BLACKBIIRD" to the genre-blurring tracks like "YA YA," Beyoncé uses her platform to elevate the conversation around genre, culture, and history. She doesn't claim country music; she illuminates its roots and wings, celebrating the Black artists who've shaped its essence.

The collective album proves no genre was created or remains in isolation. It's a concept stoked in the words of the opening track, "AMERIICAN REQUIEM" when Beyonce reflects, "Nothing really ends / For things to stay the same they have to change again." For country, and all popular genres of music to exist they have to evolve. No sound ever stays the same.

COWBOY CARTER's narrative arc, from "AMERICAN REQUIEM" to "AMEN," is a journey through American music's heart and soul, paying tribute to its origins while charting a path forward. This album isn't just an exploration of musical heritage; it's an act of freedom and a declaration of the multifaceted influence of Black culture on American pop culture.

Here's a closer look at some of some of the musical genres touched on in act ii, the second release of an anticipated trilogy by Beyoncé, the most GRAMMY-winning artist of all-time: 

Before COWBOY CARTER was even released, Beyoncé sparked critical discussion over the role of herself and all Black artists in country music . Yet COWBOY CARTER doesn't stake a claim on country music. Rather, it spotlights the genre through collaborations with legends and modern icons , while championing the message that country music, like all popular American music and culture, has always been built on the labor and love of Black lives. 

It's a reckoning acknowledged not only by Beyoncé's personal connection to country music growing up in Texas, but the role Black artists have played in country music rooted in gospel, blues, and folk music. 

Enter The World Of Beyoncé

Country legends, Dolly Parton ("DOLLY P", "JOLENE," and "TYRANT"), Willie Nelson ("SMOKE HOUR" and "SMOKE HOUR II"), and Martell ("SPAGHETTII and "THE LINDA MARTELL SHOW") serve mainly as spoken-word collaborators, becoming MCs for Queen Bey. Some of the most prolific country music legends receiving her in a space where she has been made to feel unwelcome in music (most notably with the racism surrounding her 2016 CMA performance of "Daddy Lessons" with the Dixie Chicks ) provides a prolific release of industry levies. Martell, a woman who trod the dark country road before Bey, finally getting her much-deserved dues appears as an almost pre-ordained and poetic act of justice. 

"BLACKBIIRD," a version of the Beatles ' civil rights era song of encouragement and hope for the struggle of Black women is led softly by Beyoncé, backed by a quartet of Black female contemporary country songbirds: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts. 

Beyoncé holds space for others, using the power of her star to shine a light on those around her. These inclusions rebuke nay-sayers who quipped pre-release that she was stealing attention from other Black country artists. It also flies in the faces that shunned and discriminated against her, serving as an example of how to do better. The reality that Beyoncé wasn't stealing a spotlight, but building a stage for fellow artists, is a case study in how success for one begets success for others. 

Read more: 8 Country Crossover Artists You Should Know: Ray Charles, The Beastie Boys, Cyndi Lauper & More

Gospel, Blues, & Folk (American Roots)

As is Beyoncé's way, she mounts a case for country music with evidence to back up her testimony. She meanders a course through a sequence of styles that serve as the genre's foundation: gospel, blues, and folk music.

"AMERIICAN REQUIEM" and "AMEN" bookend the album with gospel-inspired lyrics and choir vocals. The opener sets up a reflective sermon buoyed by  the sounds of a reverberating church organ, while the closer, with its introspective lyrics, pleads for mercy and redemption. The main verse on "AMEN", "This house was built with blood and bone/ The statues they made were beautiful/ But they were lies of stone," is complemented by a blend of piano, and choral harmonies. 

Hymnal references are interlaced throughout the album, particularly in songs like "II HANDS II HEAVEN" and in the lyrical nuances on "JUST FOR FUN." In the later track, Beyoncé's voice soars with gratitude in a powerful delivery of the lines, "Time heals everything / I don't need anything / Hallelujah, I pray to her." 

The gospel-inspired, blues-based "16 CARRIAGES" reflects the rich history of country songs borrowing from the blues while simultaneously calling back to songs sung by field laborers in the colonial American South. "Sixteen dollars, workin' all day/ Ain't got time to waste, I got art to make" serves as the exhausted plea of an artist working tirelessly long hours in dedication to a better life. 

Rhiannon Giddens , a celebrated musician-scholar, two-time GRAMMY winner, and Pulitzer Prize recipient, infuses "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" with her profound understanding of American folk, country, and blues. She plays the viola and banjo, the latter tracing its origins to Sub-Saharan West Africa and the lutes of ancient Egypt. Through her skilled plucking and bending of the strings, Giddens bridges the rich musical heritage of Africa and the South with the soul of country, blues, and folk music.

Pop, Funk, Soul & Rock 'n' Roll  

All in, Beyoncé is a pop star who is wrestling with labels placed on her 27-year career in COWBOY CARTER . Fittingly, she brings in two other pop artists known for swimming in the brackish water between country and pop, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone . Her intentional inclusion of two artists who have blurred genres without much cross-examination begs the question, Why should Beyoncé's sound be segregated to a different realm? 

On "YA YA" Linda Martell returns as the listener's sonic sentinel, introducing the track like a lesson plan: "This particular tune stretches across a range of genres. And that’s what makes it a unique listening experience." The tune sinks into the strummed chords of Nancy Sinatra 's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" before leaping into a fiery dance track that features reimagined lyrics from the Beach Boys , with soulful vocal flourishes and breaks that show the throughline connection between '60s era rock, funk, and pop music.

Robert Randolph lends his hands on "16 CARRIAGES" with a funk-infused grapple on his pedal-steel guitar. It's a style he honed through his early years touring and recording with his family band and later in his career as an in-demand collaborator working with names including the Allman Brothers , and Norah Jones . 

The lesson is solidified as the album transitions into an interlude on "OH LOUISIANA," featuring a sped-up sample of a classic track by Chuck Berry. This moment emphasizes the pop superstar's nod to civil rights era music history, spotlighting a controversial artist celebrated for his pioneering contributions to rock 'n' roll. (It's a part of music history Beyoncé knows well, after starring as Etta James in the 2008 film Cadillac Records , a veiled biopic of the legendary Chicago label Chess Records.)

Classical & Opera

Opera was missing from many listeners' Beyoncé Bingo card, but didn't surprise those that know her background. Beyoncé was trained for over a decade starting at an early age by her voice teacher David Lee Brewer, a retired opera singer who once lived with the Knowles family. 

COWBOY CARTER gives sing-along fans a 101 opera class with "DAUGHTER." In Italian, Beyoncé sings passages from the 1783 Italian opera "Caro Mio Ben," composed by Giuseppe Tommaso Giovanni Giordani. The aria is a classic piece of vocal training that fittingly shows off her full range — taking us back to the earliest days of her vocal teachings.

Hip-Hop & R&B

Midway through the album on "SPAGHETTII" Beyoncé announces, "I ain't no regular singer, now come get everythin' you came for," landing right where expectations have confined her: in the throes of a romping beat, experimenting with sounds that blend hip-hop with R&B and soul. The track notably highlights the talent of Nigerian American singer/rapper Shaboozey, who also shows up to the rodeo on "SWEET HONEY BUCKIN'" brandishing his unique mix of hip-hop, folk-pop, and country music. 

Beyoncé worked with longtime collaborator Raphael Saadiq on this album, a career legend in the R&B industry, who lends his mark to several tracks on which he wrote, produced, and played multiple instruments. Beyoncé also utilizes the Louisiana songwriter Willie Jones on "JUST FOR FUN," an artist who draws on a contemporary blend of country, Southern rap, and R&B in the hymnal ballad. 

The violin-heavy "TYRANT" and "SPAGHETTII" both underscore hip-hop's long love affair with the classical string instrument (See: Common 's " Be ," and Wu Tang Clan 's " Reunited " as the tip of that particular iceberg) with a blend of soulful R&B lyrics paired with beat-based instrumentalization. 

In a world quick to draw lines and label sounds, Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER stands as a vibrant mosaic of musical influence and innovation. Ultimately, Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER isn't seeking anyone's acceptance. As a Texan once told she didn't belong, her critical response claps back at this exclusion.  It's also a reminder that in the hands of a true artist, music is limitless.

Run The World: Why Beyoncé Is One Of The Most Influential Women In Music History

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Beyoncé's New Album 'Cowboy Carter' Is Here: Check Out The Featured Artists, Cover Songs, And Tracklist

Beyoncé's highly anticipated 'COWBOY CARTER' opens up a Pandora's box of American lore, and the deep connections between Blackness and country music. Here's the rundown of the album's featured artists, cover songs and tracklisting.

Beyoncé 's act ii is upon us — say hello to COWBOY CARTER .

On March 29, the 32-time GRAMMY winner unleashed the follow-up to her acclaimed 2022 album, RENAISSANCE . While COWBOY CARTER hints "Bey goes country," the LP is more of a psychedelic opus, with glimmers of country twang and style.

Across a sprawling 27-song tracklist of inspired originals flecked with covers and interpolations, Queen Bey takes us on a rodeo ride through so many musical universes, paying homage to the Beatles , Chuck Berry , Willie Nelson , Dolly Parton , Linda Martell, and more.

Clearly, there's a treasure trove here — more than enough to keep the Beyhive abuzz throughout 2024. GRAMMY.com is here to help you pore over every twangy lick, mega-guest star and lyrical implication. 

As you dive into Beyoncé's astonishing new album, read on for some of the fundamentals of COWBOY CARTER.

The Tracklisting

Two days prior to COWBOY CARTER 's release, Bey released the tracklist — fittingly, in the form of a rodeo poster. And much to the delight of the Beyhive, it's nearly double the length of its 16-track predecessor, RENAISSANCE .

Check out the rodeo poster, as well as the complete track listing, below.

AMERIICAN REQUIEM

16 CARRIAGES

SMOKE HOUR WILLIE NELSON

TEXAS HOLD 'EM

ALLIGATOR TEARS

SMOKE HOUR II

JUST FOR FUN

II MOST WANTED

LEVII'S JEANS

THE LINDA MARTELL SHOW

OH LOUISIANA

DESERT EAGLE

RIIVERDANCE

II HANDS II HEAVEN

SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN'

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

The Cover Songs

Among two dozen dazzling Beyoncé originals,   COWBOY CARTER   features covers of the Beatles' "Blackbird," Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and Chuck Berry's "Oh Louisiana."

"BLACKBIIRD" (retitled from "Blackbird," with an   act ii   flavor) is a   Paul McCartney   song, credited to Lennon-McCartney and featured on 1968's   The Beatles , commonly known as   The White Album . The song's civil rights inspiration makes it more than a worthy selection: the use of McCartney's original guitar and foot-tapping track makes it especially ear-grabbing.

"JOLENE" is a Dolly Parton classic, similarly given symphonic heft by Bey; Parton offers a radio-like intro on the   COWBOY CARTER   rendition.

In Parton's pre-"JOLENE" intro, "DOLLY P," she connects "Jolene" to Bey's immortal line "Becky with the good hair" from the   Lemonade   track "Sorry": "You know that hussy with the good hair you sing about? Reminded me of someone I knew back when, except she has flamin' locks of auburn hair. Bless her heart. Just a hair of a different color, but it hurts just the same."

"OH LOUISIANA" is a Chuck Berry deep cut from 1971's undersung   San Francisco Dues ; a flicker of Berry's "Maybellene" appears in "SMOKE HOUR WILLIE NELSON," which also features interpolations of Roy Hamilton's "Don't Let Go" and Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "Down By The River Side."

Similarly, "YA YA" contains glimmers of Tommaso Giordani's "Caro Mio Ben,"   Lee Hazelwood 's "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," and   the Beach Boys ' "Good Vibrations."

Beyoncé has always displayed razor-sharp intent with her collaborators, and   COWBOY CARTER   is no exception.

The featured guests highlight a slew of   rising Black stars   in the   country scene . "BLACKBIIRD" spotlights four budding female artists, Brittney Spencer, Renya Roberts, Tanner Addell and Tiera Kennedy; Willie Jones shows off his chops on "JUST FOR FUN"; and country-rap fusionist Shaboozey stars on two tracks, "SPAGHETTII" and "SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN.'"

She also welcomes two country-loving pop stars,   Miley Cyrus   and   Post Malone , who make appearances on "II MOST WANTED" and "LEVII'S JEANS," respectively. And along with Parton, Beyoncé honors two more country greats with two aptly titled homages: fellow Texan   Willie Nelson   appears on "SMOKE HOUR WILLIE NELSON" and "SMOKE HOUR II," and trailblazer Linda Martell "The Linda Martell Show"

Perhaps Beyoncé's cutest collaborator is her six-year-old daughter, Rumi Carter, who makes her adorable debut on "PROTECTOR."

With that, venture forth into   COWBOY CARTER   — another quintessentially Bey statement of purpose and prowess.

8 Country Crossover Artists You Should Know: Ray Charles, The Beastie Boys, Cyndi Lauper & More

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Beyoncé Win A GRAMMY For "Halo" During Her Record-Setting Night In 2010

As you dive into Beyoncé's new album, 'COWBOY CARTER,' revisit the moment Queen Bey won a GRAMMY for "Halo," one of six golden gramophones she won in 2010.

Amongst Beyoncé 's expansive catalog, "Halo" is easily one of her most iconic songs. Today, the 2009 single is her most-streamed song on Spotify; it was her first video to reach one billion views on YouTube; and it helped her set one of her GRAMMY records in 2010.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind , watch the superstar take the stage to accept Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Halo" in 2010 — the year she became the first female artist to win six GRAMMYs in one night.

"This has been such an amazing night for me, and I'd love to thank the GRAMMYs," she said, admitting she was nervous before taking a deep breath.

Before leaving the stage, Beyoncé took a second to thank two more special groups: "I'd love to thank my family for all of their support, including my husband. I love you. And I'd like to thank all of my fans for their support over the years."

The five other awards Beyoncé took home that night were for the coveted Song Of The Year ("Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)") and four R&B Categories: Best Contemporary R&B Album ( I Am... Sasha Fierce ), Best R&B Song ("Single Ladies"), Best Female R&B Vocal Performance ("Single Ladies"), and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (for her cover of Etta James' "At Last"). 

As of 2024, Beyoncé has won the most GRAMMY Awards in history with 32 wins.

Press play on the video above to relive Queen Bey's "Halo" win for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' is part of a proud lineage of artists, from Ringo Starr to Tina Turner, who have bravely taken a left turn into country's homespun, heart-on-sleeve aesthetic.

When Beyoncé announced her upcoming album, Cowboy Carter , with the drop of two distinctly country tracks, she broke both genre and barriers. Not only did Queen Bey continue to prove she can do just about anything, but she joined a long tradition of country music crossover albums.

Country music is, like all genres, a construct, designed by marketing companies around the advent of widely-disseminated recorded music, to sell albums. But in the roughly 100 intervening years, genre has dictated much about the who and how of music making.

In the racially segregated America of the 1920s, music was no exception. Marketing companies began to distinguish between "race records" (blues, R&B, and gospel) intended for Black audiences and hillbilly music (country and Western), sold to white listeners. The decision still echoes through music genre stereotypes today.

But Black people have always been a part of country music, a message that's gained recognition in recent years — in part because of advocacy work by those like Rhiannon Giddens , who plays banjo and viola on "Texas Hold 'Em," one of two singles Beyoncé released in advance of Cowboy Carter.

And since rigid genre rules' inception, many artists from Lil Nas X to Bruce Springsteen have periodically dabbled in or even crossed over to country music.

In honor of Beyoncé's foray, here are eight times musicians from other genres tried out country music.

Ray Charles — Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)

In 1962, the soul music pioneer crossed the genre divide to cut a swingin' two-volume, 14-track revue of country and western music.

Part history lesson and part demonstration of Charles' unparalleled musicianship, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music covers country songs by major country artists of the era, including Hank Williams , Don Gibson, and Eddy Arnold. An instant success, the record topped album sales charts and was Charles' first atop the Billboard Hot 200 charts.

Ringo Starr — Beaucoups of Blues (1970)

The Beatles ' drummer loves country music. Ringo Starr cut this album, which sounds like something you'd two-step the night away to at a honky tonk, as his second solo project. He was inspired by pedal steel guitar player and producer Pete Drake, who worked on George Harrison 's All Things Must Pass .

With Drake's help, Starr draws out a classic honky tonk sound — pedal steel, country fiddle, and bar room piano — to round out the album.

Beaucoups includes a textbook country heartbreak song, "Fastest Growing Heartache in the West," a bluesy ramblin' man ballad, "$15 Draw," and a surprisingly sweet love song to a sex worker, "Woman Of The Night."

The Pointer Sisters — Fairytale (1974)

Remembered for their R&B hits like "I'm So Excited" and "Jump (For My Love)", the Pointer Sisters dropped "Fairytale," a classic country heartbreak song into the middle of their second studio album, That's A Plenty.

Full of honky tonk pedal steel and fiddle, the track earned the band a GRAMMY award for Country and Western Vocal Performance Group or Duo in 1975, beating out Willie Nelson , Kris Kristofferson , Bobby Bare , and the Statler Brothers ; they were the first, and to date, only Black women to receive the award.

The same year the song came out, the Pointer Sisters also became the first Black group to play the Grand Ole Opry, arriving to find a group of protesters holding signs with messages like 'Keep country, country!'

Tina Turner — Tina Turns the Country On! (1974)

Also in 1974, Tina Turner cut her first solo album, Tina Turns the Country On!, while she was still performing with then-husband Ike Turner as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

Containing the seeds of the powerful, riveting voice she'd fully let loose in her long solo career after separating from her abusive husband, the album presents a stripped down, mellow Turner.

She covers songs like Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and Bob Dylan 's "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," and delivers a soaring rendition of Dolly Parton's "There Will Always Be Music."

Turner was nominated for a GRAMMY award for the album, but in Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female, category.

The Beastie Boys — Country Mike's Greatest Hits (1999)

This Beastie Boys cut only a few hundred copies (most reports say 300) of this spoof country album — reputedly conceived of as a Christmas present for friends and family, and never officially released.

Presenting the supposed greatest hits of a slightly dodgy, enigmatic character – Country Mike, who shares a name with band member "Mike D" Diamond — the album sounds like vintage steel guitar country. Think Hank Williams and Jimmy Rodgers with a dash of musical oddballs Louden Wainwright III and David Allen Coe's humor and funk.

Country Mike appears just briefly in the liner notes of the band's anthology album, The Sounds of Silence, (which also includes two of the album's tracks: "Railroad Blues" and "Country Mike's Theme"), as part of an alternate universe wherein Mike temporarily lost his memory when he was hit on the head.

"The psychologists told us that if we didn't play along with Mike's fantasy, he could be in grave danger," the notes read. "This song ('Railroad Blues') is one of the many that we made during that tragic period of time."

Cyndi Lauper — Detour (2016)

The "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" singer enjoyed herself thoroughly by deviating from her typical style with 2016's Detour.

Road tripping into country music land, Lauper covered country songs of the 1950s and 1960s, including Marty Robbins ' "Begging You," Patsy Montana's "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" and Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" with guest appearances by Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and Vince Gill.

Jaret Ray Reddick — Just Woke Up (2022)

It might be hard to imagine the Bowling for Soup frontman, known for teenage pop-punk angst hits like "Girl all the Bad Guys Want" and "Punk Rock 101" crooning country ballads.

But in 2022, under the name Jaret Ray Reddick, he cut his solo debut, Just Woke Up. Drawing inspiration from Reddick's native Texas, the steel guitar and twang driven album features duets with Uncle Cracker, Cody Canada, Frank Turner, and Stephen Egerton.

Self-effacing and personable as ever, Reddick heads off questions about the viability of his country music with the album's first track, "Way More Country," acknowledging the questions listeners might have:

"I sing in a punk rock band/ And I know every word to that Eminem song "Stan"/ And I've got about a hundred and ten tattoos / But I'm way more country than you."

Bing Crosby — "Pistol Packin' Mama" (Single, 1943)

Legendary crooner of classic Christmas Carols and American standards, Bing Crosby decided to try his hand at country music with his cover of Al Dexter's "Pistol Packin' Mama," the first country song to appear on Billboard's charts.

The song, which tells the story of a man begging his woman not to shoot him when she discovers him out on the town fooling around, has since also been covered by Willie Nelson, Hoyt Axton, and John Prine .

How Beyoncé Is Honoring Black Music History With "Texas Hold Em," 'Renaissance' & More

• 1 It's Official: Beyoncé, Jay-Z Announce On The Run II Tour
• 2 Beyond Country: All The Genres Beyoncé Explores On 'Cowboy Carter'
• 3 Beyoncé's New Album 'Cowboy Carter' Is Here: Check Out The Featured Artists, Cover Songs, And Tracklist
• 4 GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Beyoncé Win A GRAMMY For "Halo" During Her Record-Setting Night In 2010
• 5 8 Country Crossover Artists You Should Know: Ray Charles, The Beastie Boys, Cyndi Lauper & More

Jay-Z and Beyonce Announce ‘On the Run II’ Stadium Tour Dates

By Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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Jay-Z and Beyonce announced dates for their “On the Run II” stadium tour. Kicking off Wednesday, June 6 in Cardiff, UK, the international outing will stop in 15 cities across the UK and Europe, with the 21-date North American leg beginning July 25 in Cleveland. The full itinerary — and the tour-announcement trailer, clearly influenced by the 1973 Senegalese film “Touki Bouki ” — can be found below.

The tour is presented by Live Nation Global Touring in association with Beyonce’s Parkwood Entertainment and Jay’s Roc Nation. Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Monday, March 19 at LiveNation.com and “all usual outlets,” according to a press release announcing the tour. On-sale dates and times vary (full on-sale schedule provided below).

News of the tour slipped out last week when Beyonce ’s Facebook and Ticketmaster pages announced a date for the tour, on July 30 at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field — and then both posts were quickly deleted. Complex captured a  screen shot of the Facebook page .

The pair last toured together in 2014 for the first “On the Run” tour, supporting her self-titled 2013 album and Jay’s “Magna Carta Holy Grail.” Jay joined Beyonce onstage in New Jersey for the final date of her “Lemonade” tour in September 2016; Kendrick Lamar guested at that show as well, and DJ Khaled was the opening act. Just last week, Khaled dropped the single “Top Off,” which features Jay and Beyonce (and a little bit of Future). The pair recently  released a video for  “ Family Feud ,” their collaboration from Jay’s latest album, “4:44,” which was directed by Ava DuVernay, whose latest film “A Wrinkle in Time” hit theaters last week.

Citi is the official credit card for the OTR II tour and cardmembers will have a pre-sale opportunity for show dates in the United States, Europe and the UK. For performances going on sale on March 19 in the US and Europe, Citi cardmembers may purchase tickets beginning March 14 at noon through March 17 at 5pm. For concerts in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Poland, Citi cardmembers may access tickets starting March 19 at noon through March 22 at 5pm prior to the general on-sale on March 23. Beginning March 14 at 9am in North America and 10am in the UK and Europe (all times local), members of the Beyhive and Tidal subscribers will have a pre-sale opportunity for all dates.

OTR II UK/EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:

June 06 Cardiff, UK Principality Stadium On sale March 23

June 09 Glasgow, UK Hampden Park On sale March 23

June 13 Manchester, UK Etihad Stadium On sale March 23

June 15 London, UK London Stadium On sale March 23

June 19 Amsterdam, NL Amsterdam Arena On sale March 19

June 23 Copenhagen, DK Parken Stadium On sale March 19

June 25 Stockholm, SW Friends Arena On sale March 23

June 28 Berlin, DE Olympiastadion On sale March 19

June 30 Warsaw, PL Stadion Narodowy On sale March 23

July 03 Cologne, DE RheinEnergieStadion On sale March 19

July 06 Milan, IT San Siro On sale March 19

July 08 Rome, IT Stadio Olimpico On sale March 19

July 11 Barcelona, ES Olympic Stadium On sale March 19

July 14 Paris, FR Stade de France On sale March 19

July 17 Nice, FR Allianz Riviera On sale March 19

OTR II NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

July 25 Cleveland, OH FirstEnergy Stadium On sale March 19

July 28 Washington, DC FedEx Field On sale March 19

July 30 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field On sale March 19

Aug. 02 E. Rutherford, NJ MetLife Stadium On sale March 19

Aug. 05 Boston, MA Gillette Stadium On sale March 19

Aug. 08 Minneapolis, MN US Bank Stadium On sale March 19

Aug. 10 Chicago, IL Soldier Field On sale March 19

Aug. 13 Detroit, MI Ford Field On sale March 19

Aug. 18 Buffalo, NY New Era Field On sale March 19

Aug. 23 Nashville, TN Vanderbilt Stadium On sale March 19

Aug. 25 Atlanta, GA Mercedes Benz Stadium On sale March 19

Aug. 29 Orlando, FL Camping World Stadium On sale March 19

Aug. 31 Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium On sale March 19

Sept. 11 Arlington, TX AT&amp;T Stadium On sale March 19

Sept. 13 New Orleans, LA Mercedes-Benz Superdome On sale March 19

Sept. 15 Houston, TX NRG Stadium On sale March 19

Sept. 19 Phoenix, AZ University of Phoenix Stadium On sale March 19

Sept. 22 Los Angeles, CA Rose Bowl On sale March 19

Sept. 27 San Diego, CA SDCCU Stadium On sale March 19

Sept. 29 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium On sale March 19

Oct. 02 Vancouver, BC BC Place On sale March 19

For complete tour and ticket information visit: http://www.livenation.com , http://www.beyonce.com

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z Can Control the Narrative, but Not the Elements

By Josh Duboff

At about 10 P.M. Thursday night, the sold-out crowd at MetLife Stadium fell to a hush. DJ Khaled, high-octane as ever, had finished his opening set about an hour earlier, and the arrival of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, our collective cause this evening, was imminent—if already behind schedule. But instead of the lights dimming, as they usually would, they— what?! —were turned up bright. And instead of two of the planet’s most famous performers emerging, two . . . police officers ambled onto the stage, with an official of some kind. They asked for the audience to seek shelter inside, as thunderstorms were due in 20 minutes. The crowd—many of whom were dressed in Ivy Park or “I Slay”-emblazoned tank tops or otherwise—was, for the moment, crestfallen.

Beyoncé would seem to have power over pretty much every mechanism on this Earth, but she cannot apparently (surprisingly?) control the weather. So it wasn’t until a little after 11:10 P.M., following a roughly hour-long “thunderstorm break,” that the duo made their way out; if the energy seemed at all lagging over the course of the night, it was likely for that reason. The pair certainly put in the effort, though. Beginning their set with “Holy Grail,” Beyoncé in a white bedazzled short leotard-dress, Jay in a white suit—holding hands, looking as if they belonged on the world’s most expensive wedding cake—the pair essentially conducted business as usual, despite the unusual circumstances. They are, of course, if anything, consummate professionals.

This is the second “On the Run” tour, taking place about four years after the first—and this is a very different Beyoncé and Jay than the ones we knew in 2014. On that joint tour, we hadn’t yet been given Lemonade, or 4:44, or Everything Is Love, the joint album they released this June , which served as the concluding chapter in what formed a trio of confessional, “couples counseling”-esque albums. There had been no “Becky with the Good Hair” (though there had been, in May of that year, the infamous Met Gala elevator fight). If they were an impenetrable super-couple then, though, they are now, after openly discussing their marital strife in their work, slightly less so. While the specifics have never been made quite clear, Jay-Z would seem to have strayed, to whatever degree, and Beyoncé decided to forgive him. The pair welcomed twins Rumi and Sir last year, and the two are creatively collaborating with the same productivity, but there is a chilliness in their public-facing dynamic, at least, that was not previously present.

One might think this could create something of an odd or uncomfortable concert, and, in a sense, especially when Beyoncé performs her Lemonade material, there is a bit of underlying tension. But mostly, the pair—ever-savvy when it comes to utilizing their “real-life” foibles and narratives in the commercial setting of their musical output and tours—just leveraged their emotional journey. When Beyoncé sat down about two-thirds of the way through, to belt 2006’s “Resentment” (“Just can’t seem to get over the way you hurt me,” she bellowed), she broke out into tears—it was a staggering vocal performance, but it didn’t feel particularly tense, since we knew only about 10 minutes later she and Jay would be belting a love song (like “Young Forever” or a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect”) at each other, googly-eyed. And when one of the interstitial videos displayed footage of an argument between the pair, dramatic cutaways to Beyoncé running or Jay smoking a cigar, it only made the entire production feel a bit like musical theater. It’s as if Beyoncé and Jay-Z were playing Beyoncé and Jay-Z. That the two barely mentioned the weather conditions or delay (Jay at one point thanked us for “sticking around after some lightning and shit”), as the concert raced past one A.M., also added to the sense that this was a slick and well-oiled machine. “On the Run II” runs when it runs—as it runs.

It goes without saying at this point that Beyoncé is an unparalleled performer. Her dance breaks are honestly a modern marvel. At one moment early on, Beyoncé sort of hung out languidly behind Jay as he performed “Clique,” and then snapped into life for a truly exhilarating dance sequence, set to “Diva.” Jay, aware he had no other option to try to match that, launched into “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” as if to say, “. . . maybe this will do it?” At one point, it occurred to me that it was well past midnight and I was sweating profusely and could barely stand up anymore, and Beyoncé was straight up doing aerobics to “Baby Boy” while wearing a bedazzled jean jacket, completely at ease. When she sang, “I care!” during “I Care,” there was no doubt: she really does! Jay had some winning moments, especially toward the end of the show (after “N---as in Paris,” he received an extended ovation, which he seemed legitimately moved by). He also did his best to keep the crowd—eventually a bit bleary-eyed—engaged, at one point calling out one man in the front for his “too-cool” face: “Don’t fuck this up for us,” he said, to the audience’s amusement. But Beyoncé—in a rotating series of dramatic and gorgeous outfits, able to rap and sing and dance and strut with equal power—that is the true spectacle.

For the show’s final sequence, Beyoncé emerged in an ornate black dress, Jay in a suit, and they sang love songs to one another as the words “THIS IS REAL LOVE” were displayed on the screen behind them. It begged the question: “If it’s ‘real love,’ do you have to say it?” But there wasn’t all that much time to mull the question, as then they performed set-closer “Apeshit” (the only song on the setlist off of Everything Is Love ). The crowd was on its feet, not yet ready to contemplate that it was nearing 1:30 A.M. on a “school night,” still entranced by the theater and showmanship.

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z Announce 2018 Joint Tour

• Last updated: 12 Mar 2018, 18:17:02
• Published: 12 Mar 2018, 18:17:02
• Written by: Ashly Nagrant
• Photography by: Justin Sullivan
• Tagged: Beyoncé JAY‐Z

It’s as if hundreds of thousands of voices cried out “YAS QUEEN” in unison this morning. If you heard it, don’t worry, you weren’t imagining things. You were just catching the reaction to Beyoncé announcing her upcoming tour. And her husband Jay-Z will be coming along as well. The top couple in music will bless 2018 with the “On the Run II” stadium tour.

The original “On the Run Tour” in 2014 played a total of 21 shows across the US and Europe. The final two shows in Paris was filmed for an HBO special that was later nominated for a Grammy award. And, like any sequel, we’re assuming “On the Run II” will be even bigger.

It’s already off to a good start. OTR II will play 21 dates...in the US and Canada, following 15 shows on the UK/European leg. With the expanded scope of the tour it’s probably safe to assume big things from the setlist as well as the stage show. But what else would you expect from Mr. and Mrs. Carter, really?

The tour schedule and general on-sale dates are below!

OTR II UK/EUROPEAN TOUR DATES :

June 06 Cardiff, UK Principality Stadium - On sale March 23

June 09 Glasgow, UK Hampden Park - On sale March 23

June 13 Manchester, UK Etihad Stadium - On sale March 23

June 15 London, UK London Stadium - On sale March 23

June 19 Amsterdam, NL Amsterdam Arena - On sale March 19

June 23 Copenhagen, DK Parken Stadium - On sale March 19

June 25 Stockholm, SW Friends Arena - On sale March 23

June 28 Berlin, DE Olympiastadion - On sale March 19

June 30 Warsaw, PL Stadion Narodowy - On sale March 23

July 03 Cologne, DE RheinEnergieStadion - On sale March 19

July 06 Milan, IT San Siro - On sale March 19

July 08 Rome, IT Stadio Olimpico - On sale March 19

July 11 Barcelona, ES Olympic Stadium - On sale March 19

July 14 Paris, FR Stade de France - On sale March 19

July 17 Nice, FR Allianz Riviera - On sale March 19

OTR II NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES :

July 25 Cleveland, OH FirstEnergy Stadium - On sale March 19

July 28 Washington, DC FedEx Field - On sale March 19

July 30 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field - On sale March 19

Aug. 02 E. Rutherford, NJ MetLife Stadium - On sale March 19

Aug. 05 Boston, MA Gillette Stadium - On sale March 19

Aug. 08 Minneapolis, MN US Bank Stadium - On sale March 19

Aug. 10 Chicago, IL Soldier Field - On sale March 19

Aug. 13 Detroit, MI Ford Field - On sale March 19

Aug. 18 Buffalo, NY New Era Field - On sale March 19

Aug. 23 Nashville, TN Vanderbilt Stadium - On sale March 19

Aug. 25 Atlanta, GA Mercedes Benz Stadium - On sale March 19

Aug. 29 Orlando, FL Camping World Stadium - On sale March 19

Aug. 31 Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium - On sale March 19

Sept. 11 Arlington, TX AT&amp;T Stadium - On sale March 19

Sept. 13 New Orleans, LA Mercedes-Benz Superdome - On sale March 19

Sept. 15 Houston, TX NRG Stadium - On sale March 19

Sept. 19 Phoenix, AZ University of Phoenix Stadium - On sale March 19

Sept. 22 Los Angeles, CA Rose Bowl - On sale March 19

Sept. 27 San Diego, CA SDCCU Stadium - On sale March 19

Sept. 29 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium - On sale March 19

Oct. 02 Vancouver, BC BC Place - On sale March 19

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Concert review: Beyonce and Jay-Z still crazy in love during On the Run II Tour

This. Is. Real. Life.

With those four words, projected on the screen before they'd even hit the stage, the scene was set on Wednesday for Jay-Z and Beyonce's On the Run II Tour to take fans in Glendale on a guided tour of real life as pop music's reigning power couple have been living it these past few years.

This is the second On the Run Tour, as the title would suggest.

The first was 2014, before all the heartache and drama that spilled out on Beyonce's “Lemonade,” a masterful reflection on the meaning of love in the face of betrayal.

RELATED: Jay-Z, Beyonce give area teen 100K scholarship

Jay-Z followed with the equally reflective “4:44,” whose title track is equal parts confession and contrition: "I apologize 'cause at your best you are love / And because I fall short of what I say I'm all about.”

The narrative continued earlier year with the release of their first album as the Carters, “Everything is Love,” a collaboration Jay-Z told the New York Times grew out of approaching their art as “almost like a therapy session.”

And that same approach informs the tour that made its way to State Farm Stadium Wednesday with openers Chloe X Halle and DJ Khaled.

'Everything is Love'

Consider the subtext implied by the method of transportation the couple chose for making their dramatic entrance – an elevator, recalling the infamous elevator beatdown Jay-Z suffered at the hands of his sister-in-law, Solange, while Beyonce looked on in 2014.

Now, four years later, "Everything is Love."

Or as the words projected on the screen behind them as they brought the night to a triumphant close with "Apes--t" put it, "This is real love."

"Real," of course, can be a very complicated pill to swallow.

A large part of Wednesday's performance was focused on working its way through several real-love complications as the Carters came to understand them on a massive stage with and a giant LED screen that occasionally parted in the middle to reveal their musicians and backup singers on a four-tiered grid behind them.

Jay-Z played the fool who couldn't see how good he had it while Beyonce played the vengeful, hurt and ultimately understanding partner who agrees to give it one more try. 

RELATED: 5 times Beyonce stopped the world 

They're still crazy in love. And it showed.

For all the scabs they picked at in the course of that cathartic ride, both in fiery duets and solo spots, they came out smiling, holding hands and recommitting to the love they share while standing face to face as Beyonce renewed her vows with "Darling, just hold my hand / Be your girl, you'll be my man."

Still 'Crazy in Love'

It's just an older, wiser brand of crazy love complete with all the scars it took to get there.

The first words belonged to Beyonce, singing the opening lines of Jay-Z's "Holy Grail" from 2013's "Magna Carta Holy Grail," originally sung by Justin Timberlake.

"You'd take the clothes off my back, and I'd let you," she sang. "You'd steal the food right out my mouth and I'd watch you eat it, I still don't know why / Why I love you so much."

It's amazing how hearing those lyrics delivered in Beyonce's voice completely changed their meaning.

For much of the show – which played out like an epic suite, quickly making its way through more than 40 songs – they worked on sorting through the wreckage that would redefine not only their relationship but their individual personalities.

Not every song conformed to that agenda. There were plenty of moments that felt more like a celebration of their individual legacies, from "99 Problems" to "Run the World (Girls)" and "Formation," during which Beyonce and her dancers rode above the crowd on a hydraulic platform to the opposite end of the room.

And yet, the spotlight kept returning to the love that has kept them together in good times and bad. 

'Lemonade' for everyone

Beyonce only did four songs from "Lemonade." But the impact they had on the overall tone of the show was undeniable, from a suitably bitter rendition of "Sorry," complete with a withering delivery of the final payoff, "He better call Becky with the good hair," to a furious reading of "Don't Hurt Yourself."

Even songs that predated their marital troubles were filtered through the anger of the bad times.

These included a chilling performance of "Ring the Alarm," which featured a venomous reading of "I'll be damned if I see another chick on your arm," accompanied by wailing sirens while the stage was bathed in red light.

Jay-Z's "Song Cry," from 2001's "The Blueprint," is another older song they re-contextualized to fit the script of who they are today, Jay-Z insisting that he needs to make the song cry because he's too much of a man to shed his own tears.

And when the song was over, Jay-Z thanked us for "allowing" them to share.

If it felt like the concert's emotional peak for a moment, it only lasted until Beyonce followed with "Resentment," again an older track that hit much harder in the aftermath of everything they've gone through.

"She ain't even half of me," Beyonce sang, dressed as a bride. "That (expletive) will never be."

Most people wouldn't stay long at a dinner party where the hosts were sharing all the awkward details of their complicated love as freely as these two have committed to sharing on their latest tour.

But it worked, in part because between the choreography, the pyrotechnics and the hits, they've clearly got the goods to keep a stadium engaged and in part because they knew enough to make their own catharsis universal. 

Of course, they also have Beyonce, a true pop icon whose singing and dancing alone would be enough to captivate a stadium. And the costume changes didn't hurt.

“Holy Grail" “Part II (On the Run)” “'03 Bonnie & Clyde” Beach Interlude ("When the Lights Are Low" by the Paragons) “Drunk in Love” (with elements of "Swag Surfin") “Diva” (with elements of "Irreplaceable," “Headlines," "Dirt Off Your Shoulder” and "Everybody Mad") “Clique” (with elements of "Diva") “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” “On to the Next One” “F—kwithmeyouknowigotit” (with elements of “***Flawless”) “***Flawless (Remix)” (with elements of "F--kwithmeyouknowigotit" and "Trophies") “Feeling Myself” “Naughty Girl” “Big Pimpin'” “NICE” Jamaica Interlude ("Bad" by The Bug) “Run This Town” “Baby Boy” (with elements of "Mundian To Bach Ke") “Mi Gente (Remix)” (with elements of “Standing on The Sun," "Mine" and “Bam”)

“BLACK EFFECT” “Countdown” (with elements of “Broccoli” and "Uhh Ahh") “Sorry” Bar Fight Interlude ("Sun is Shining" by Bob Marley and “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar) “99 Problems” “Ring the Alarm” (with elements of “Five to One”) “Don't Hurt Yourself” (with elements of "Kashmir") “I Care” “4:44” “Song Cry” “Resentment” Running Interlude “Family Feud” “Upgrade U” “N---as in Paris” “Beach Is Better” “Formation” “Run the World (Girls)” (with elements of "We Should All Be Feminists") “Public Service Announcement” Ballet Interlude ("Four Women" by Nina Simone) “The Story of O.J.” “Déjà Vu” (with elements of "Zombie” and "Roc Boys (And The Winner Is...)” ) “Show Me What You Got” (with elements of “Ain’t No N---a” & "Humble") “Crazy in Love” (with elements of "Back That A-- Up" & "Down For My N---az" ) “Freedom” “U Don't Know” Baptism Interlude “Young Forever” “Perfect Duet” “APES—T”

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z close On the Run II tour with blazing Seattle mic drop

Pop music's royal couple ended their sprawling On the Run II tour at CenturyLink Field on Thursday.

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Concert review

The music cut as Beyoncé took sole control of her stage. Sections of the packed CenturyLink Field erupted on cue with each silent gesture from their queen, dressed in a shimmery bronze catsuit as she expressionlessly surveyed the tens of thousands of her loyal subjects.

The sprawling stage seemingly quaked with every strike of her matching stilettos as she dived into “Sorry,” a love-spurned march that sends an unfaithful lover (i.e. Jay-Z) to the gallows as a stadium full of screaming fans bore witness.

Such is the power of one of the greatest performers of her generation who, along with her husband/hip-hop icon Jay-Z, is completing a three-album, two-megatour pop opera with this year’s On the Run II tour . As Jay’s apparent infidelity became tabloid fodder, Jay and Bey took control of their story, embedding intimate details of their relationship into the most ambitious — and in Beyoncé’s case, transformative — art of their careers. If OTR II was the capstone to this love saga, the tour’s final stop in Seattle on Thursday was a 2.5-hour mic drop with fusillading fire cannons and enough wardrobe changes for a lifetime of award shows.

“This is real life,” flashed a message on the massive screen, as Beyoncé and Jay-Z took the stage a grueling hour and a half after openers Chloe x Halle ended their short but impressive set of suave electro-R&B tunes and youthfully optimistic pop anthems. The rest of the evening felt like a tour de force determined to show their head-nodding followers that all is well in the throne room of pop music’s royal couple.

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The set list played like the most epic Bey-Z mixtape imaginable, with the couple taking turns rocking the stage solo and together, accentuating their disparate performance styles. During songs like the booming “Dirt Off Your Shoulders” — which still holds up 15 years later, despite wearing its timestamp on the sleeve of its Rocawear hoodie — and a vulnerable “Song Cry,” Jay reminded us that he’s among the class of one-man, one-mic rappers capable of captivating an arena (or with his wife’s help, a stadium) without breaking a sweat. This was especially true during a chilling “The Story of O.J.,” the poignant Grammy-nominated single off last year’s “4:44.”

Conversely, Beyoncé storms her stage as the unquestioned squad leader of a stomping dance troupe and a brass-honking, umpteen-piece backing band. Where Jay’s voice fought for space with the frenetic band at times, hers soared easily above its squall amid a “Ring the Alarm”/“Don’t Hurt Yourself” medley.

“Keep your money, I got my own!” she growled during the latter, hurling four-letter words like daggers at a portrait of Jay nailed to a $15,000 armoire.

Aside from an extra sly “’03 Bonnie and Clyde” and the trapified closer “Ape[expletive]” — the Migos-boosted banger that felt like a celebration of their marriage’s survival — their moments together onstage rarely matched the fire of their individual slots. It’s understandable, considering the biggest hits of their respective catalogs are independent of each other, but sound issues did them no favors, either. A dutifully turnt “Drunk in Love” and “Black Effect,” a standout from the couple’s new joint album “Everything is Love,” were clipped when their vocals repeatedly cut out, at least for one side of the stadium.

The tour’s production, while not approaching Taylor Swift levels , packed an understated punch with a tri-level platform for the band that unfolded from a massive video screen and a moving auxiliary stage that carried Jay and Bey above the crowd between his-and-hers catwalks. Art-film love-noir scenes and home-video-style clips of their family carried the reconciliatory vibes between movements, interwoven with subtexts of racial inequality and female empowerment.

For all the theatrics, one of the most memorable moments was the most stripped down. Dressed in a flowing wedding-white gown, Beyoncé dropped to her knees at the end of the runway for a soul-baring “Resentment,” her perfectly tender falsetto filling the stadium and making us wonder how love can truly overcome side chicks. But their joint finale, which included a doe-eyed “Forever Young,” was meant to show that it has, bringing the power couple’s love saga to a triumphant, second-honeymoon-style end — even if it was laid on a bit thick.

All hail the queen and king.

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Beyonce Confirms On The Run II Tour With JAY-Z

It's official: Beyoncé has announced that she and Jay-Z are heading back out on the road for the On The Run II tour.

By Hilary Hughes

Hilary Hughes

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It’s official: Beyonce  and JAY-Z are heading back out on the road for the On The Run II Tour. After a Ticketmaster glitch teased a joint Bey/Jay tour last week, Beyonce took to Instagram to confirm the news Monday morning (March 12). 

In a swoon of a video set to Sean Paul’s “I’m Still in Love with You,” clips of the smitten Carters performing together and cuddling off-stage recall their first On The Run tour, which took them across North America and France in the summer of 2014.

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Slow Ticketing Helps Jay-Z Net $48.7M on 2017 Tour

Tickets go on pre-sale March 14 through the  Beyhive  and TIDAL, and are widely available March 19 through LiveNation. On The Run II begins in Europe in Cardiff, Wales on June 6; the American leg kicks off on June 25 in Cleveland. Tickets for the these dates and the rest of the tour are available  here .

  A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Mar 12, 2018 at 6:55am PDT

June 06            Cardiff, UK @ Principality Stadium June 09            Glasgow, UK @ Hampden Park June 13            Manchester, UK @ Etihad Stadium June 15            London, UK @ London Stadium June 19            Amsterdam, NL @ Amsterdam Arena June 23            Copenhagen, DK @ Parken Stadium June 25            Stockholm, SW @ Friends Arena June 28            Berlin, DE @ Olympiastadion June 30            Warsaw, PL @ Stadion Narodowy July 03              Cologne, DE @ RheinEnergieStadion July 06              Milan, IT @ San Siro July 08              Rome, IT @ Stadio Olimpico July 11              Barcelona, ES @ Olympic Stadium July 14              Paris, FR @ Stade de France July 17              Nice, FR @ Allianz Riviera

North America:

July 25              Cleveland, OH @ FirstEnergy Stadium July 28              Washington, DC @ FedEx Field July 30              Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field Aug. 02             E. Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium Aug. 05             Boston, MA @ Gillette Stadium Aug. 08             Minneapolis, MN @ US Bank Stadium Aug. 10             Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field  Aug. 13             Detroit, MI @ Ford Field Aug. 18             Buffalo, NY @ New Era Field Aug. 23             Nashville, TN @ Vanderbilt Stadium Aug. 25             Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes Benz Stadium  Aug. 29             Orlando, FL @ Camping World Stadium Aug. 31             Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium  Sept. 11            Arlington, TX @ AT&T Stadium Sept. 13            New Orleans, LA @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome Sept. 15            Houston, TX @ NRG Stadium Sept. 19            Phoenix, AZ @ University of Phoenix Stadium  Sept. 22            Los Angeles, CA @ Rose Bowl Sept. 27            San Diego, CA @ SDCCU Stadium  Sept. 29            Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium                                        Oct. 02              Vancouver, BC @ BC Place

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Jay-Z and Beyoncé announce 2018 tour dates

By CLTure News

March 12, 2018 (updated)

Multi-platinum recording artists, and all-world power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé announced their U.S. dates for their 2018 OTR II (On The Run II) tour. Spanning 36 dates and starting off in June, the North American tour will kick off on July 25th in Cleveland, Ohio.

With a tumultuous past couple of years, Beyoncé’s 2016  Lemonade offered a personal look at the couples relationship while Jay-Z’s more contrite and mature  4:44 brought to the forefront a different side of Hov.

It will be interesting to see the dynamics of this tour and what songs they will perform from their collective catalog of music.

Unfortunately, there are no North Carolina dates announced yet. There is a window in their tour routing from Buffalo, NY to Nashville, TN between August 18-23, and Miami, FL to Arlington, TX between August 31 – September 11, so those seem to be the only logical days to add an NC date, if they decide to.

*New tour dates were added on March 20, 2018*

Here are the 2018 U.S. Tour Dates: 

July 25 – Cleveland, OH – FirstEnergy Stadium *July 27 – Washington, D.C. – FedExField – On Sale 3/26 July 28 – Washington, DC – FedExField – SOLD OUT July 30 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field Aug. 2 – E. Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium – SOLD OUT *Aug. 3 – E. Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium – On sale 3/26 Aug. 5 – Boston, MA – Gillette Stadium Aug. 8 – Minneapolis, MN – US Bank Stadium Aug. 10 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field – SOLD OUT *Aug. 11 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field – On sale 3/26 Aug. 13 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field *Aug. 16 – Columbus, OH – Ohio Stadium – On sale 3/26 Aug. 18 – Buffalo, NY – New Era Field *Aug. 21 – Columbia, SC – Williams-Brice Stadium – On sale 3/26 Aug. 23 – Nashville, TN – Vanderbilt Stadium Aug. 25 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes Benz Stadium – SOLD OUT *Aug. 26 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes Benz Stadium – On sale 3/26 Aug. 29 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium Aug. 31 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium Sept. 11 – Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium Sept. 13 – New Orleans, LA – Mercedes-Benz Superdome Sept. 15 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium Sept. 19 – Phoenix, AZ – University of Phoenix Stadium Sept. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Rose Bowl — SOLD OUT *Sept. 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Rose Bowl — On sale 3/26 Sept. 27 – San Diego, CA – SDCCU Stadium Sept. 29 – Santa Clara, CA – Levi’s Stadium Oct. 2 – Vancouver, BC – BC Place *Oct. 4 – Seattle, WA – CenturyLink Field – On sale 3/26

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Jay-Z Affair Rumors Resurface After Beyonce ‘Warns’ His Alleged Mistress On New Album

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It’s been years since the news popped off on social media. But just as a refresher, here’s Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s affair timeline. The two are arguably one of the greatest power couples in modern time, but their relationship has had the spotlight on some sour moments.

In 2007, Jay-Z told Charlie Rose he met Beyoncé “10 years ago,” or in 1997. Queen B told  Seventeen  a year later that “I was 18 when we first met, 19 when we first started dating. The relationship culminated years later when Beyoncé made her solo debut in 2003 with her first single “Crazy in Love” featuring her now-husband.

The two secretly tied the knot in 2008. “It was a very emotional wedding—lots of crying—and really very spiritual,” a source told  People .  It was held at Jay’s 13,5000-square-foot penthouse in New York City; instead of rings, they both tattooed the number 4 in Roman numerals on their ring fingers.

“There was no rush—no one expected me to run off and get married,” Beyoncé told  Seventeen . “ I really don’t believe that you will love the same thing when you’re 20 as you do at 30. So that was my rule: Before the age of 25, I would never get married. I feel like you have to get to know yourself, know what you want, spend some time by yourself, and be proud of who you are before you can share that with someone else.”

However, their relationship had some road bumps which sparked some of the greatest pop culture moments in history. Here’s a timeline of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s affair.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Affair timeline

May 7, 2014: solange attacks jay-z in an elevator.

Jay-Z’s affair rumors were rampantly spread after the 2014 Met Gala. TMZ released footage of Beyoncé’s sister Solange attacking the “Empire State of Mind” rapper in an elevator. The motive behind the attack was never disclosed, but fans suspected that it had to do with Jay-Z cheating on her sister.

The two later made a statement: “There has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it. Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other and we have moved forward as a united family. The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false. At the end of the day, families have problems and we’re no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We’ve put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same.”

Beyoncé referenced the moment in her song “Flawless,” Of course, sometimes shit go down / When it’s a billion dollars on an elevator.”

July 2014: Rumors of Jay-Z and Beyoncé Divorce Plans emerge

Amid the On The Run tour, rumors emerged of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s split amid the cheating rumors. “They are trying to figure out a way to split without divorcing. This is a huge concert tour, and they’ve already gotten most of the money from the promoters up front,” a source told  Page Six . “Jay was outdoing Jay, and Bey was outdoing Bey. They made the classic mistake of thinking a child would change everything and help to rekindle the initial fire, and it didn’t.”

April 2016: Beyoncé releases Lemonade

Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed album Lemonade was released in 2016 and fueled rumors of Jay-Z’s affair. “Death to side chicks,” Beyoncé staunchly says during the music video of “Sorry.” The song also includes the infamous “Becky with the good hair,” which people are still wondering who it is to this day.

The identity of the woman that Jay-Z cheated on Beyoncé with has not been revealed. It was rumored that he had an affair with Rita Ora, who signed to his label Roc Nation in 2008. However, Ora  vehemently denied  the rumors. Rumors of Jay-Z’s infidelity first emerged when security camera footage caught Beyoncé’s sister Solange attacking the rapper in an elevator.

2016: BeyHive speculates Rachel Roy as "Becky with the good hair"

Many fans speculated that “Becky” was Rachel Roy after her long history with Jay-Z’s business enterprise Roc-A-Wear, where she met her then-husband Damon Dash.

Roy’s posts fueled the rumors after she posted an Instagram post close to the release of  Lemonade . “Good hair don’t care, but we will take good lighting, for selfies, or self truths, always. Live in the light #nodramaqueens,” she wrote in a now-deleted post in which BeyHive swarmed the comments.

February 2017: Beyoncé and Jay-Z announce they're expecting twins

Beyoncé and Jay-Z announce they’re expecting twins in a gorgeous Instagram post. “We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over. We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes. – The Carters.”

June 2017: Jay-Z confirms he cheated on Beyoncé on 4:44

Jay-Z confessed that he cheated on Beyonce in his title track “4:44” off the album of the same name. I apologize to all the women whom I toyed with your emotions / ‘Cause I was emotionless,“ he raps

He continued, “I apologize, our love was one for the ages and I contained us / And if my children knew, I don’t even know what I would do / If they ain’t look at me the same / I would prolly die with all the shame.”

2017: Jay-Z confesses that he cheated on Beyoncé

In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, Jay-Z admitted that he cheated on Beyoncé. “So even with women, you gonna shut down emotionally, so you can’t connect…. In my case, like, it’s deep,” he told the outlet. “And then all the things happen from there: infidelity. We were using our art almost like a therapy session. And we started making music together. And then the music she was making at that time was further along. So her album came out as opposed to the joint album that we were working on. Um, we still have a lot of that music. And this is what it became. There was never a point where it was like, ‘I’m making this album.’ I was right there the entire time.”

June 2018: Beyoncé and Jay-Z announce joint album Everything is Love

At the end of the On The Run II tour, Beyoncé announced that she and her husband Jay-Z will be releasing Everything Is Love . The album was released on June 16, 2018.

July 29, 2022: Beyoncé releases Renaissance

In her thank you notes on the album Renaissance , Beyoncé thanks her husband and her family, “I want to give a special thanks to Rumi, Sir, and Blue for allowing me the space, creativity, and inspiration,” she wrote on her website. “And a special thanks to my beautiful husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio.”

She also directly references the emotions Jay-Z felt during the scandal. “I know nobody’s perfect so I’ll let you be, I’ll let you be. It’s the way that you wear your emotions on both of your sleeves, ’til the face you make when I tell you that I had to leave,” she sings on the track “Plastic on the Sofa.” “We don’t need the world’s acceptance. They’re too hard on me, they’re too hard on you, boy.”

March 29, 2024: Beyoncé releases Cowboy Carter

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter includes a reimagined cover of “Jolene by Dolly Parton. While the original song pleads for another woman to not steal her man, Beyoncé takes it to another level so that the woman doesn’t even think to go near her man—seemingly referring to the cheating scandal.

“I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” Queen Bey croons. She turns it up even more with lyrics like, “You don’t want this smoke so shoot your shot with someone else,” “I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisiana’” and “Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene.”

“Hey, Ms. Honey Bee, it’s Dolly P.,” the legendary country singer says in an  interlude  aptly called “Dolly P.” “You know that hussy with the good hair you sing about? Reminded me of someone I knew back when, except she has flaming locks of auburn hair, bless her heart. Just a hair of a different color, but it hurts just the same.”

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Beyoncé beats paul mccartney and the rolling stones.

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Beyonce performs onstage during the 'On The Run II' Tour' at Rose Bowl ... [+] on September 22, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/PW18/Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment)

Beyoncé dominates the Hot 100 this week with songs from her new album Cowboy Carter . As tunes from her first country project claim nearly one-quarter of the entire ranking of the most-consumed cuts in the nation, the singer blows past some of the biggest names in music history, thanks to just a handful of new high-rising wins.

Two tracks from Cowboy Carter launch inside the top 10 on the Hot 100 this week. “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus and Beyoncé’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” begin their time on the tally at Nos. 6 and 7, respectively, on the list of the most-consumed tracks in the U.S.

As Beyoncé collects a pair of new top 10 hits, she advances on the ranking of musicians with the most placements inside the competitive region. She has now claimed 24 smashes that have reached the highest tier on the tally, and in one moment, she leapfrogs over a number of beloved musicians.

Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, and Whitney Houston have all snagged 23 top 10s on the Hot 100. Before this week, Beyoncé sat behind all of them, with 22 appearances between Nos. 1 and 10...but now she’s passed all three of those acts.

It’s worth mentioning that these figures represent the solo work from Beyoncé and McCartney. Both musicians also earned additional top 10 hits on the Hot 100 as members of a group. McCartney was one-fourth of The Beatles, while Beyoncé was a founding singer in Destiny’s Child. All the smashes they landed as part of those bands count as separate discographies.

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This week, Beyoncé actually fills three spots inside the top 10 on the Hot 100. In addition to “II Most Wanted” and “Jolene,” her previous single “Texas Hold ‘Em” jumps back into the highest tier on the list. The lead Cowboy Carter single nearly recaptured the throne, as it leaps to No. 2.

23 songs featured on her new album land on the Hot 100 this week, with almost all of them being new to the ranking. With more than 20 new placements on the chart this frame, Beyoncé becomes the latest musician to accrue at least 100 wins on the tally, upping her career total to 106 placements on the list.

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The Surprising Reason Beyoncé and JAY-Z's 'Lasting Connection' Is 'Proven in the Stars,' According to an Astrologer

The music power couple possess a planetary square signifying they will always “strive to comprehend each other,” astrologer Lisa Stardust tells PEOPLE

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Beyoncé and JAY-Z have been “crazy in love” for over two decades , but what do the stars say about their romance? 

The couple first collaborated on the song “03 Bonnie & Clyde” in 2002 and eventually tied the knot on April 4, 2008. Since then, they have partnered together on music and life, releasing many more songs together and welcoming three children : daughter Blue Ivy and twins Sir and Rumi. 

As they celebrate their wedding anniversary, PEOPLE recently spoke with astrologer and bestselling author Lisa Stardust , who analyzed both Beyoncé and JAY-Z's natal charts to predict their overall compatibility. 

Born on Dec. 4, 1969, JAY-Z is a Sagittarius Sun and Libra Moon, while Beyoncé was born on Sept. 4, 1981, making her a Virgo Sun and a Scorpio Moon.

Stardust points out that Beyoncé and JAY-Z’s charts show a planetary square, “an astrological aspect that happens when two planets are 90° apart,” and signify two people that will always “strive to comprehend each other.” 

Read ahead for a deep dive on what the stars say about the music superstars, based on Stardust’s readings. 

Beyoncé and JAY-Z's compatibility based on planetary alignment

Though Beyoncé and JAY-Z have their differences, their signs also balance each other out. Stardust notes that while JAY-Z’s Sagittarius Sun sign often “values independence,” his Libra Moon sign “values relationships” at the same time.

“His ideal partner is someone who grows and evolves with him , who challenges his mind and is committed to partnership,” Stardust points out. 

Meanwhile, Stardust posits that Beyoncé’s Virgo Sun and Scorpio Moon sign causes her to display “a strong analytical inclination, carefully considering her actions before taking the next step,” adding that “her deep emotional temperament and unwavering loyalty are reserved for those with whom she shares an intimate connection with.” 

Beyoncé and JAY-Z have stood by each other through various highs and lows , which is likely a testament to their planetary square, which Stardust describes as “an astrological aspect that happens when two planets are 90° apart.” For the music power couple, specifically, their Sun signs square each other “indicating that they will always make an effort to work through any issues that arise in their quest to comprehend each other because they are committed to preserving their relationship .” 

“Furthermore, they are drawn to their personal differences,” Stardust adds. “These variations hold these individuals together because they find them fascinating and captivating.” 

Beyoncé and JAY-Z's romance and intimacy compatibility

Stardust points out that “Saturn is the planet that holds two charts together in compatibility,” and   Beyoncé’s Saturn “connects with Jay-Z's Moon in Libra, creating an intense bond that will transcend time.” 

“They are each other’s life partners,” Stardust says. “Their relationship is proven in the stars, thanks to Saturn, to have a lasting connection.” Stardust adds that “Jay-Z’s Neptune aligns with Beyoncé's Moon in Scorpio, indicating a shared desire to make their dreams come true and help each other grow.” 

Beyoncé and JAY-Z's intellectual rapport and communication compatibility

Mike Coppola / Getty Images

Stardust notes that the couple’s signs, specifically Beyoncé’s Jupiter connecting to Jay-Z’s Moon, show they are incredibly collaborative in how they work together and communicate. “They're committed to growing and evolving together, and most importantly, looking out for each other,” Stardust says. “The planet Jupiter is associated with expansion and good fortune, while the moon represents our emotional selves and home.” 

Stardust points out that “Beyoncé's chart shows that Mercury, the planet of communication, and Venus, the planet of love, are in Libra, which is in alignment with Jay-Z's Libra Moon.” This suggests that they “prefer intimate conversations at home and value connecting with each other.” 

Additionally, their communication skills mean they are open about their aspirations and “ provide mutual support , making them each other's biggest supporters,” both in the public eye and behind closed doors. 

Beyoncé and JAY-Z's career and financial compatibility

According to Stardust, Beyoncé and JAY-Z have a “fabulous work connection” as Beyoncé's Jupiter and Saturn align with Jay-Z's Moon. “This inspires him as the Moon is a part of ourselves that we cannot express, and Jupiter allows these feelings to be known,” Stardust adds.

Additionally, Beyoncé can be beneficial in offering advice as “Saturn is known to help people improve their talents.” On the flip side, JAY-Z “likes to support Beyoncé in everything she does and finds glory in watching her thrive.” 

When it comes to the financial aspect of their relationship, Beyoncé’s “proximity of Saturn, a planet of limitations, to Venus, the planet of money,” can cause her to be more cautious about money. Meanwhile, JAY-Z is a Sagittarius Venus, “making him inclined to spend.” However, Stardust notes that “his Saturn in Taurus makes him value conservation and growth.” 

“Overall, they share similar views and prioritize investing in their future,” Stardust adds.

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 3 kids: Everything you need to know about Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir

I t’s safe to say Beyoncé loves working with her children. Queen B shares three kids with longtime husband Jay-Z : Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir.

Throughout her career, Beyoncé has not been shy about putting her kids in the spotlight, even bringing daughter Blue Ivy along on her “Renaissance” tour as a dancer.

But Blue Ivy isn’t the only one who has worked alongside her famous mother. Whether it’s a campaign for a brand or a feature on a song, the Carter kids are just as talented as their parents.

For her eight studio album,  “Cowboy Carter,”  the singer tapped her 6-year-old daughter, Rumi, to help her with the song “Protector.”

At the beginning of the track, Rumi is heard asking her mom a question.

“Mom, can I hear the lullaby please?" she asks, before a beautiful guitar rift plays.

The song appears to be a tribute to her children, with Beyoncé singing about motherhood.

She says, “I first saw your face in your father’s gaze / There’s a long line of hands carryin’ your name, mm / Liftin’ you up, so you will be raised / Even though I know someday you’re going to shine on your own / I will be your projector, yeah.”

In 2022, a few days before releasing her seventh studio album, “Renaissance,” Beyoncé gave her little ones a shout-out when she posted a letter to her fans online.

“I want to give a special thank you to Rumi, Sir, and Blue for allowing me the space, creativity and inspiration,” she wrote, alongside a photo of her with her three kids. "And a special thanks to my beautiful husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio."

Read on to learn more about Beyoncé and Jay-Z's kids.

Blue Ivy Carter, 12

Blue Ivy is Beyoncé and Jay-Z's first child. She was born on January 7, 2012, and her zodiac sign is Capricorn, just like her grandmother Tina Knowles.

At 10-years-old, Blue became the second youngest person to ever win a Grammy. She won one in 2021 for collaborating with her mom and Wizkid in their song “Brown Skin Girl,” which honors the beauty of Black and brown girls.

Blue also won an MTV Video Music Award in 2021, beating out Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Chance the Rapper and Lady Gaga in the Best Cinematography category for “Brown Skin Girl." Not to mention, that the uplifting tune also helped her win a BET Award at the age of 8.

In November 2020, author Matthew A. Cherry released his audiobook "Hair Love ," narrated by none other than Blue. “Hair Love” tells the story of a Black father who learns how to do his daughter’s hair while his wife is hospitalized.

For her 10th birthday, Tina gave her granddaughter a sweet shout-out on Instagram and gave insight into Blue's character.

"Blue gives the best advice like a grown person I sometimes forget that she is so young!!!'" Tina wrote. "Blue is one of those rare gifted people that can do everything well!"

Much to fans' delight, Blue has been making guest appearances during performances on her mom's "Renaissance Tour."

In reaction to Blue dancing on stage with her mom at shows in Paris and London last spring, Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland said she was “so proud” of the 11-year-old.

“She’s absolutely awesome,” the singer added.

Out of all her siblings, Blue Ivy has been making the most public appearances. On Feb. 20, she was seen supporting her mom at the launch of Beyoncé's new hair care line, Cécred , in LA.

In a video montage of the event, shared online by Tina Knowles, Beyoncé is seen sitting next to Blue Ivy, who is wearing a white dress with white boots at the event.

“A good time was had by all !!!” Knowles captioned the video on Instagram . “Thanks to the supportive group of positive people that attended and thank you for all the love that we have gotten. Since the time since we launched! The product is really groundbreaking. ❤️❤️.”

Rumi and Sir Carter, 6

Beyoncé's twins, Rumi and Sir Carter, were born on June 13, 2017, and their zodiac sign is Gemini. In Beyoncé’s 2019 Netflix documentary, "Homecoming," she opened up about the “extremely difficult pregnancy" that she went through when she had them.

"My body went through more than I knew it could,” she said in the documentary.

Beyoncé suffered from preeclampsia, which is a "serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy," per Cleveland Clinic . She told Vogue in August 2018 that she was 218 pounds the day that she gave birth to Rumi and Sir.

"I was swollen from toxemia and had been on bed rest for over a month," she said. "My health and my babies’ health were in danger, so I had an emergency C-section. We spent many weeks in the NICU. My husband was a soldier and such a strong support system for me."

"After the C-section, my core felt different. It had been major surgery. Some of your organs are shifted temporarily, and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery," she added.

Beyoncé noted that during her recovery she became a vegan and started to accept that her body became more curvier.

"To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller. I have a little mommy pouch, and I’m in no rush to get rid of it," she said at the time. "I think it’s real."

Beyoncé's twins have since been featured in a few projects that she's worked on like her "Black is King" visual album where they made an appearance. Rumi was also in the music video for “Brown Skin Girl," along with her sister.

In October 2023, the “16 Carriages” singer shared a rare glimpse of her twins when she released a video announcing her 2023 flick “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.”

At one point in the short, 2-minute trailer — available on YouTube — the mom of three can be seen kissing her twin son, Sir. Another clip shows Beyoncé holding Sir while on a golf cart.

Sir’s twin sister and Beyoncé’s youngest daughter, Rumi, can be seen stretching near her mom and big sister, Blue Ivy.

Not only that, but Rumi also took center stage in Beyoncé's new "Cowboy Carter" album . In the singer's song, "Protector," Rumi is heard asking her mom, "Can I hear the lullaby please?” at the beginning of the song.

Here's the meaning behind Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir's names

In an interview that Jay-Z did with “Rap Radar” hosts Elliott Wilson and Brian Miller that was posted on his streaming service, Tidal, he explained how he and Beyoncé came up with the names Rumi and Sir.

“Rumi is our favorite poet, so it was for our daughter,” he said, per ABC News . As for Sir? “Sir was like, man, come out the gate. He carries himself like that. He just came out, like, Sir," he said.

While the Carters have never explained the significance of Blue Ivy's name, fans think her middle name, Ivy, may be a reference to the couple's  favorite number, four.

The number has a significance in their lives. She was born on Sept. 4. Jay-Z was born on Dec. 4. They were married on April 4 . Blue Ivy’s name may be a reference to the Roman numerals for 4, IV.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Reunited With Beyoncé and Jay-Z at the White Party

Plus hundreds of other A-listers

The married couples reunited at the July 4 bash, held at Rubin’s Bridgehampton, New York, estate, dressed in festive all-white looks.

Lopez embraced summer in a white maxi dress with a billowing pleated skirt, a large torso cutout, and a big bow at the bust. Meanwhile, Air director Affleck looked cool in a white blazer layered over a classic white T-shirt and paired with white trousers.

Beyoncé was fabulous in a lacy semi-sheer dress with a floral pattern. She accessorized with brown sunglasses embellished with a fringe of white diamonds. Jay-Z looked suave in a crisp white button-up, ivory pants, and a matching ivory bucket hat and blazer. The rapper accessorized with round sunglasses.

“Might need a whole year for my liver to recover 😂😂 Incredible night with incredible people ! ps good news - we didn’t need the medical tent this year, no major injuries lol,” Rubin captioned a post including the series of photos of the A-listers.

Also in the slideshow were Kendall Jenner , Hailey Bieber , Lori Harvey , Kim Kardashian , Justine Skye , and La La Anthony. The friends shared a TikTok video while getting into their all-white looks for the summer party. In it, each star showed off her individual style while doing a sultry walk toward the camera, set to the viral track “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, with Aqua.

Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper's Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets. 

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Beyoncé thanks her ‘rock’ Jay-Z and their ‘3 beautiful children’ in iHeartRadio Music Awards 2024 speech

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She’ll be their protector .

Beyoncé sweetly paid a rare tribute to her husband, Jay-Z, and their three kids during the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday night.

“My husband, my rock, my best friend, I love you,” she said while accepting the Innovator Award. “My three beautiful children, who continue to be my inspiration and my biggest blessing.”

Beyoncé, 42, married Jay-Z , 54, in 2008. They welcomed daughter Blue Ivy in 2012 followed by twins Rumi and Sir in 2017.

The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer also took a moment to shout out the innovators who paved the way for her illustrious career, including Stevie Wonder, who presented her with the trophy.

“Thank you to Rosetta Tharpe, Miss Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, André 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and so many more who defied any label placed upon them,” she said while dressed in a Western-themed black leather Versace outfit .

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“Thank you for executing your dream so we could all follow.”

iHeartRadio recognized Beyoncé’s achievements just three days after she released her eighth album, “Cowboy Carter,” which Page Six reviewed as “the revival that country music so desperately needed.”

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Queen Bey has said that she decided to record the 27-track project, which features legendary artists including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, after feeling unwelcome when she performed at the 2016 CMA Awards .

In Monday’s acceptance speech, Beyoncé touched upon the backlash she has received over the years for crossing genres.

“Innovation starts with a dream, but then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy. Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you,” she said.

“So to all the record labels, every radio station, every awards show, my hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.”

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Beyoncé's special tribute to sweet lookalike son Sir, 6, everyone missed

The singer and jay z are parents to blue ivy, rumi and sir.

Beyoncé is arguably the biggest star in the world, but nothing is more important to her than her family.

The Grammy winning-singer and record holder, married to rapper Jay Z , is a mother to Blue Ivy, 12 , and twins Rumi and Sir, six , the latter of whom is more sheltered than his siblings when it comes to the public eye.

But the 42-year-old singer had a heartwarming tribute to her rarely-seen son on her latest album Cowboy Carter that fans might have missed.

While his sister, Rumi, appeared on the song Protector, Sir has a song dedicated to him, according to some eagle-eyed fans online.

Upon dropping Cowboy Carter on streaming, Beyoncé placed the song 'My Rose' immediately after 'Protector' but some lucky fans who have their hands on early physical disc copies of the album have noticed that the song on the CD version is called 'MR [My Rose] SIR'.

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This isn't unusual for early physical copies either in CD or Vinyl format to differ from streaming versions, as labels often alter digital formats right down to the wire before release.

Much like its predecessor dedicated to Rumi, the lyrics to 'My Rose' are beautiful and heartwarming. Beyoncé sings: "How many times have you let yourself get you down? So many roses but none to be picked without thorns. So be fond of your flaws, dear. You're my love, my sweetie pie, my baby, you're my heart."

Meanwhile, Rumi's addition to the song 'Protector' could have her following in her big sister Blue's shoes.

Not only did Blue Ivy appear on stage as a dancer for multiple shows during her mom's Renaissance World Tour last year, but in 2021 she also broke the record for the youngest individually credited artist to win a Grammy Award for the song 'Brown Skin Girl'.

And with Cowboy Carter already a contender for the 2025 Grammys, it could be that Rumi earns a title for herself.

Beyoncé and Jay Z are fiercely private when it comes to their family life, but upon accepting the Innovator Award at the iHeart Radio Awards   earlier this week, she gave a rare shout-out to her husband of 16 years and their three children in her speech.

MORE:  Beyoncé and Jay Z's rarely seen son Sir, 6, and their bond in sweet photos  

MORE:  Blue Ivy Carter debuts chic hair transformation during star-studded night out with mom Beyoncé  

After thanking Stevie Wonder, who presented her with the accolade, and the many other artists who "broke boundaries" before her, Beyoncé thanked Jay, calling him her "best friend" and her "rock". 

She then thanked Blue, Sir and Rumi for being her "inspiration" and her "biggest blessing".

Cowboy Carter is a streaming hit for Beyoncé and her label, Parkwood. The album is steadily heading towards a 400k debut on the US Billboard 200, making it one of the biggest opening weeks for an album debut in her career. It also became the biggest opening week on Spotify with more than 200 million streams within the first four days of release.

Not only that, on its day of release, March 29, Cowboy Carter became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far and marked the singer's biggest debut of her career in the streaming era.

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