Beyoncé is the first Black artist ever to take a country album to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, as she scores a chart double with ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Texas Hold ‘Em.
The eighth solo album from the superstar galloped to the top of the rundown, with its lead single returning to the top spot for a fifth non-consecutive week.
Additionally, the LP – which spotlights the overlooked contributions of Black artists to the country genre, and American culture in general – topples Kacey Musgraves to become Beyoncé’s first No. 1 album on the Country Albums Chart.
It marks Beyoncé’s second chart double and first in over 20 years; she previously topped the Albums and Singles Charts simultaneously in 2003 with her debut solo album ‘Dangerously In Love’ and the single Crazy In Love (feat. JAY-Z).
Three of Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter tracks are present in the Top 10, with Jolene (No. 8) – a remake of the Dolly Parton classic – and II Most Wanted with Miley Cyrus (No. 9) bringing her UK Top 10 tally to 20.
On Beyoncé’s record-breaking Official Chart feat, Martin Talbot, Chief Executive Officer, Official Charts says: “In a career of huge achievements, congratulations to Beyonce on securing a slew of UK chart records with her country single and album this week, underlining her position as one of the world’s most ground-breaking musical artists.
“With Texas Hold ‘Em and ‘Cowboy Carter’, she this week becomes the first artist to top the Official Singles Chart and Official Albums Chart with country repertoire simultaneously, and the first black artist ever to take a country album to Number 1 in the UK. Step aside (for now) Dolly, Bey is the *current* Queen of country.”
