Beyoncé Saddles Up, Announces 'Cowboy Carter' Album

Get ready to dust off your boots and embrace a whole new side of Beyoncé as she saddles up for her latest musical adventure with her upcoming country-inspired album, "Cowboy Carter," slated for release on March 29.

The announcement of the album's title came on Tuesday. Previously hinting at a country music project and the next phase of her acclaimed 2022 album "Renaissance," Beyoncé officially revealed it as "Act II: Cowboy Carter" through a subtle update to her Instagram bio and a western-themed image on her Instagram Story.

Photo Credit: Instagram/Beyonce

This highly anticipated album serves as the second installment of Beyoncé’s ambitious “three-act project,” building upon the success of her critically acclaimed "Renaissance" album.

The album's unveiling follows a teaser during a prominent Super Bowl advertisement in February, initially referred to as "Act II." Beyoncé offered fans a taste of her new musical direction with the release of two singles, "Texas Hold ‘Em" and "16 Carriages," both of which quickly soared to the top of the charts.

"Texas Hold ‘Em" made an impressive debut by claiming the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Beyoncé's ninth solo chart-topper. Notably, the song also secured the top position on the Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first Black woman artist to achieve this milestone, solidifying her influence across genres.

While details about the album remain scarce, country music icon Dolly Parton hinted at a potential collaboration with Beyoncé during a recent interview with Tennessee outlet Knox News. Parton suggested that Beyoncé has recorded her own rendition of Parton's classic hit, "Jolene," expressing her enthusiasm for the collaboration and praising Beyoncé's vocal prowess.

Hip-Hop Mourns Loss of Bo$$: Def Jam's First Female MC Dead at 54

Photo Credit: GoFundMe

The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Bo$$ (born Lichelle Laws), the trailblazing female rapper who made history as the first woman signed to Def Jam Recordings. Bun B confirmed her passing at 54 on Monday via Instagram, sharing a heartfelt tribute to the late artist.

"Rest in peace to my big sis Lichelle Laws AKA Bo$$," he wrote. "One of the best female MCs and a dear friend. Give Rick Royal a hug for me. Long Live The Org!"

Bo$$'s influence on the rap scene was undeniable. Fellow icons like Jermaine Dupri, Jadakiss and DJ Premier expressed their condolences and shared memories of working with the Detroit-born legend, whose musical journey began in her hometown before she caught the eye of Def Jam's West Coast division, leading to her groundbreaking debut album, "Born Gangstaz," in 1993.

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In recent years, Bo$$ faced significant health challenges, battling kidney disease since 2011. She also suffered a major stroke and seizure in 2017. To support her medical costs, her family launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a recommended specialized procedure.

Megan Thee Stallion's New Merch Line Supports Women's Well-Being Charities

Planet Fitness x Megan Thee Stallion Crop Top

Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion joins forces with Planet Fitness for "Thee Hottie Drop," a bold merchandise line launched in honor of Women's History Month. This collaboration directly supports Megan's charitable foundations—the Pete & Thomas Foundation and the SeekHer Foundation—dedicated to enhancing women's well-being.

Featuring empowering messages, the collection includes a crop top, sweatpants, and high-rise socks, embodying Megan's commitment to breaking down barriers for women in fitness spaces. "The Hotties loved the last Planet Fitness drop, so we had to run it back with brand new pieces," Megan stated in an announcement touting the release. "But more importantly, I'm proud of the positive impact this collection will bring."

The Houston-born artist, known for her musical prowess, also champions women's empowerment. Her recent hit "Hiss" underscores her influence, complementing her extensive accolades, including three Grammy Awards. Beyond music, Megan leads the Pete & Thomas Foundation, focusing on education, housing and health initiatives for marginalized communities.

Planet Fitness, echoing Megan's advocacy, emphasizes research showing women's struggles with self-care in fitness settings. "We witnessed tremendous demand for the first merch collection launched in collaboration with Megan," said Jamie Medeiros, Chief Brand Officer at Planet Fitness. "Rolling out this new collection to support Megan's foundation and the SeekHer Foundation is a priority for us."

"Thee Hottie Drop" is available at shop.planetfitness.com until March 31st.