Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to hit No. 1 on Billboard country albums chart

By MARIA SHERMAN
AP Music Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Beyoncé has made history once again. Her latest album, the epic “Act ll: Cowboy Carter,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart, making her the first Black woman to top the chart since ITS 1964 inception. The album also topped the all-genres Billboard 200, marking her eighth No. 1 album. According to Luminate, “Cowboy Carter” totaled 407,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. since its March 29 release. As a Black woman reclaiming country music, she stands in opposition to stereotypical associations of the genre with whiteness. In February, “Texas Hold ’Em” reached No. 1 on the country airplay chart.