Beyoncé has recently announced her new album, Renaissance Act II, during the Super Bowl LVIII, sparking a flurry of excitement and speculation among fans. The announcement was accompanied by the release of two new songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages”, both hinting at a shift towards country music.
The two tracks feature collaborations with esteemed Black country artists Rhiannon Giddens and Robert Randolph, adding more weight to rumors about Act II's country music leanings. This has led to a surge of anticipation for the album, which is scheduled for release on March 29.
The Renaissance Project
The Renaissance project is a three-act series that Beyoncé recorded over a span of three years during the coronavirus pandemic. The first act, which celebrated house music, showcased collaborations with prominent artists such as Grace Jones, Tems, and Beam.
Given this, fans are eagerly predicting the artists that will be featured in Act II. Names potentially in the mix include Black country stars Linda Martell and The Chicks, as the project continues its celebration of Black artists across different genres.
Clues and Predictions
Beyoncé's Western-themed outfit at the 2024 Grammy Awards already had fans speculating about a possible country-themed album, even before the announcement. With Act II's country music direction now confirmed, fans are now wondering what musical style Act III will explore. Rock music seems to be the favored guess.
Anticipation for a “Telephone” Sequel
Additional speculation surrounds the possibility of a sequel to the 2010 music video, “Telephone”, a collaboration between Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. This theory is primarily based on a social media post by Lady Gaga during the Super Bowl. In the post, Gaga was seen wearing a jersey with the number 16, matching with the title of one of Beyoncé's new songs, “16 Carriages”. This, coupled with the fact that the “Telephone” video ended with a “To Be Continued …” message, has led fans to believe a sequel might be in the works.