Rhiannon Giddens on collaborating with Beyoncé on 'Cowboy Carter'

Rhiannon Giddens, one of the musicians on "Texas Hold 'Em" talks about how she looks to reclaim the Black history of the banjo, as Beyoncé's country debut sparks both controversy and praise.
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[@life-is-recovery]

Rhiannon Giddens is also a national treasure. In addition to her solo work, check out the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

[@brandi_w]

Ues, I so loved the Carolina Chocolate Drops!

[@dramafan08]

Looking forward to it! Loved hearing from her! Beautiful work and woman. ❤️ Can’t wait to hear more of her music.

[@rondapierce6215]

I fell in love with Rhiannon Giddens with Carolina Chocolate Drops....

[@uscitizen3252]

yep

[@sarahbaartmansrevenge]

true

[@jacobmccain8794]

Ugh Rhiannon summed this up perfectly! “everyone can do what they want to do, no one is asking who gave Lana del Ray permission to write a country album. Everyone gets to write about their truth and go back to their roots. If you want to make a country album, make a country album. People say that’s not country, well that’s just racism.” PERIOD, IT IS! Literally even tho America is not actually “segregated,” we are. We literally have people gatekeeping musical genres that was not even created people who looked like in the first place, that’s is CRAZY! When she broke down about people dancing to the banjo after knowing about the roots and history of where it came from BROKE ME!!! That is truly moving. Country music is black music too. It’s for everyone❤️😭

[@jakemiles1427]

She broke me as well, this was a very touching interview

[@jae6506]

Absolutely Beautiful!

[@Ariesguy41499]

I mean It’s important to acknowledge the contribution of black artists to the genre but that also doesn’t mean we should forget that country is a combination of styles and sounds by people of all cultures and races. European and African instrumentation and folk music are both co-equal parts of the roots of the genre

[@dramafan08]

@@Ariesguy41499 Country music was Black music FIRST. That’s how ignorant and Racist this is. Dig deeper and learn more about the theft and intentional disenfranchisement.

[@Daniel-xg3ul]

Yes, I said this in another post. Someone said country music is black music. I said it's not. Nor is it white music. It's a uniquely American music comprised of numerous cultures, both African, African American, Irish American, Scottish American. It would not exist without any of these cultures removed.

[@GratitudeGriot]

awww seeing Rhiannon get emotional has me tearing up. she played the h3ll out of that banjo!! definitely want to hear more from her ❤

[@respectthejourney8323]

I hope she never apologizes for caring so deeply about something, her fears are warranted and she deserves her flowers for being courageous enough to go into spaces where she wasn't welcomed and continue to fight...thank you Rhiannon your work is important

[@LindaMitchell]

Wonderful interview! Rhiannon Giddens should be very proud of her work. She's breaking down barriers.

[@SleepyArcticBirds-ft4lb]

I’m glad Beyoncé is shaking the country music industry. Enough of this ugly racism. It was and still is one of the darkest times of this country 😢😢😢

[@hospice8896]

Anyone know Charlie Pride?

[@SleepyArcticBirds-ft4lb]

@@hospice8896 Charlie Pride was a black country singer that won a Country Singer of the Year Award❤️❤️❤️

[@hospice8896]

@@SleepyArcticBirds-ft4lb bingo, all of like six decades ago

[@SleepyArcticBirds-ft4lb]

@@hospice8896 discrimination hurts❤️

[@Surfing1709]

The dark times still continues too grow as USA' areas for beef meat industrues spreading methan which is causing 100 times faster the earth to heat up.

[@Kulou8]

Omg! That ending section had me crying! 😢❤

[@keyawnspoor9903]

Same ❤

[@keynolivia]

It’s sad how this racist country makes people of color afraid to embrace something that was initially ours. 😢 Hate is a disease.

[@56sonya]

Its because they're threatened by her they know how good she is, she has a number #1 country song already. She isnt going anywhere, the Hate just motivates her more.

[@keithbell9348]

Let's hope that fearful prejudiced rock n roll fans will throw shade at Beyonce'- "Don't come over here! You keep that over there!" So that when Act III comes out' It will consist of at least 4 albums worth of rock n roll material!

[@lettiegrant9447]

You got it!👍

[@keithbell9348]

Yep. New fodder for the prejudiced to reveal their prejudice. For the racists to reveal their racism. Just judging this album simply on the merits of the music itself isn't enough for them. You have people clearly denying the overwhelming history of the role black people played in the formation of country music, even after they watch videos like this one. And not one of them will be able to counter the evidence with their own "historical narrative" to disprove what this video reveals. It's fear, jealousy and stupidity.

[@alondathomas293]

These white people claiming that Beyonce's songs have too much of a "pop" twang are speaking nonsense, because funny how they don't have a problem with any white artist who sings country with a pop twang. If it was Taylor Swift doing a country album, she would have been welcomed with open arms. But since it's Beyonce, and she's black, she's not "country" enough for them---even though she was literally born and raised in Texas, where a hell of a lot of country singers come from. I call bullshit on that.

[@lb7530]

I felt like crying too. Happy for this Album and Happy for Rhiannon Giddens playing the Banjo!! Just Awesome!!!❤

[@TheBurnonme]

Wow I brought beyonce album and her album is really good

[@Angbwillinspireu]

I am up in the a.m. listening and absorbing Beyonce's, "act ii Cowboy Carter" album and it's giving more than Country, she may have just introduced a new genre.👑💯 !

[@kimhayes6565]

Me too! I’m blown away.

[@jakemiles1427]

Omg, I love bey but I was thinking I wasn't going to like this album but I was wrong. I love this album so much. I listened to it from start to finish and I was so sad when it came to an end. This truly blew me away

[@jae6506]

Absolute Masterpiece👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@crosstudio]

Gospel Country??? Country Soul??? Country Blues???

[@TdT2211]

Soooooo happy Rhiannon Giddens is being spotlighted in the mainstream. People are in for a treat! Her work with the New Basement Tapes is absolutely amazing too if you want to hear more from Rhiannon. And she has so much more! 😊😊😊

[@CeePlayss]

Rhiannon, you are a national treasure and I'm so grateful Bey highlighted your talent and work in this new album. I got emotional watching this. I've been Bey's fan since the Destiny's Child days and I've never been a country music lover, but cowboy carter has had me researching American music history and downloading albums from artists like Rhiannon Giddens, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiara Kennedy & Reyna Roberts, which has been the most beautiful experience. Loved this interview!! ❤

[@idillard]

Thank you for this piece. Rhiannon is amazing and I've been lucky to have seen and heard her twice live: Ojai and in Los Angeles at Disney Hall. She is a genius, an educator, a musician! I have all her albums and listen to her often. I've watched may of her KZbin videos. Music belongs to everyone! Stop the madness about country music. White folks need to get real and understand that Black folk/African folk have been here and will continue to create. I'm do sown with Rhiannon and Beyonce Y'all do your thing! God bless and peace.

[@cherylalt101]

You are one lucky lady to have seen Rhiannon live twice! I'm really getting tired of just how stupid racism makes people act. I'm almost 70 and I wish the world and especially Americans would just chill and stop this stuff. I love Beyonce too and her and Rhiannon are both unbelievably talented, gorgeous geniuses. Country music is lucky to have them contribute to the genre!

[@Blaquebarbgamer]

Support our black country artists 🤠 ❤. I’m here for it.

[@ITreasureMEAromatherapy]

"That's just racism!" You tell 'em, Rhiannon Giddens! She has such a passion for music that runs in the veins of her ancestors! This is our roots, too, and we were conditioned NOT to like it. Singers like Johnny Nash had a hard timeBut they could like Black music and pick up our lingo, but not give us credit to boot! Call the pot black and get back! haha...Reminds me of the poem we'd say as children."If you're brown, stick around. If you're black, get black, red, enough said ... I had the opportunity to watch Rhiannon Giddens some ten years back as she performed for Oakland youth musicians. They LOVED her, and so did I! She's an amazing music historian. Brilliant woman and very, very talented! Thanks, ABC News!

[@elizabethmiller1804]

I absolutely ADORE Rhiannon Giddens, and also adore the Carolina Chocolate Drops!

[@keynolivia]

The Dukes of Hazard star drove around in a car with a confederate flag on it so of course he’d say something racist.

[@TheBurnonme]

Love beyonce country album.

[@crosstudio]

He is from New York. His country roots are non-existent.

[@nairobi6891]

Dude, is from New York and is a prominent actor on a Tyler Perry show.

[@BibleMagick8TV]

Créole culture is still here too. I am so happy we can celebrate and find history too!!!

[@johnlewis195]

Blacks Folks....We started it all..Cmon People

[@nairobi6891]

🎯🎯🎯

[@gapless1001]

This was beautiful and I am so honored to know that is you on the banjo! Wow! Queen B struck again and shed light on more black women talent. This album is a gift from Beyoncé to black women and America.

[@justinbanks2664]

An honor to see my old professor in this video! Came here for Rhiannon Giddens, this was a pleasant surprise.

[@ashmcdaniel5503]

Rhiannon, as always, keeping it real, naming what it IS, and schooling folks. She is brilliant and I am SOOO grateful that Beyoncé has elevated what Rhiannon has been doing for YEARS into a mass audience. I got to see Rhiannon perform at the Bijou in Knoxville several years ago. Mind. BLOWN.

[@alondathomas293]

Hell yeah! Rhiannon Giddons is talented as hell, and it's great to see her getting this platform--Beyonce's album---to get her and her music some well-deserved attention. I have one of her CDs, and need to listen to more of her music.

[@alondathomas293]

Hell yeah! Rhiannon Giddens is talented as hell, and it's great to hear some of her work being broadcast to a mass audience---as long as she's as been around not only playing country music, and schooling people about the contributions of black folks to country music that have been literally whitewashed the hell out of the history of country music by nothing but racism, she deserves it. Heard she's writing a book---I'd love to read her thoughts on being a black country musician, too. I need to listen to more of her work, since she's really good singer-songwriter, too. I do have one of her CDs, too.

[@veronicanevarez22]

This is one of my fav albums. It's like she wrote about my life. Definitely touch my heart.

[@TheBurnonme]

Beyonce album is amazing. I just brought it

[@silverleafmaple]

Been loving Rhiannon for so long!!! Keep it up ... we love you!! ❤❤❤

[@malyroberts4054]

When you use your power and position the right way. . . Beyoncé 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@sarashaw6549]

I praise Beyonce for being her 🙌 everyone who doesn't see that can kick rocks 💯

[@lettiegrant9447]

😁😁

[@TheBurnonme]

Love beyonce album alot

[@iancaiozzi4576]

This album has ripped open the genre continuum. Rhiannon Giddens not only plays this clawhammer banjo she is also a trained opera singer and has composed an opera called Omar. Meanwhile, Beyoncé sings an opera singer classic Cari mío ben on the song Daughters. So we have country, Caribbean, opera, pop all colliding here. And it’s speaking to people. Congratulations Rhiannon and Beyoncé!

[@LeslieCYPRESS536]

❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️

[@bickettryan]

Rhiannon Giddens segment starts at 4:30

[@rondapierce6215]

God Bless Rhiannon Giddens for laying down the current path for us to return !

[@KyeyuneBatuma]

Wow Giddens is magical

[@lvluxegirl]

bless her heart ❤

[@TheBurnonme]

Beyonce album is dame good. I just brought it

[@lvluxegirl]

@@TheBurnonme ❤️‍🔥

[@nairobi6891]

Honey, "bless her heart" is not a good thing... My North Carolinian grandmother said it in the nicest WORST WAY.

[@lvluxegirl]

@@nairobi6891 ❤️❤️❤️

[@jae6506]

THIS is what happens when we walk out God’s Will for us in spite of fear or pushback. Beyoncé reclaiming the music of her community is powerful and gives permission for millions to do the same. Art impacts far beyond its original scope. Cowboy Carter is a Revolutionary Revelation. A gem like Rhiannon being a part of it adds to the many layers of depth that make up the album. Beyoncé and Rhiannon invite us to come back home; and I am happy to oblige✊🏽✨

[@reginasims6492]

It’s because they can’t brush her aside like they’ve done other black female country artists…she’s already well known. They have to deal with her. They can’t throw her crumbs here and there like Mickey Guyton, others.

[@Justsomebodyelse235]

K Michelle is AMAZING and they are also just throwing her crumbs. We don’t need to ask for a seat at OUR table.

[@clarawashington4341]

This was very enlightening❤️🎼

[@user-js6ex7jh7e]

I love the history of this music and who are the originators of the banjo bravo to Rihanna and her amazing music 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@lemondrop7305]

it’s not a country album it’s a BEYONCÉ album

[@lettiegrant9447]

It's Beyonce singing country.

[@DaRunningMan]

@@lettiegrant9447 There's actually very little Country in that album. There's some Country in there but the grand majority is not. There's more Gospel and R&B than Country in it.

[@icycici6191]

​​@DaRunningMan ....... that's because it's a Beyonce album‼️of course, you are not complaining about Taylor Swift singing country music mixed with pop 👀 Yea.... I thought so.

[@IAmJustR]

This is a Beyonce QUOTE.

[@yasmeennasir8286]

Rhiannon is fabulous

[@evefavorse5939]

She killed that banjo! It’s so beautiful to hear!

[@shamekamoonjr33]

Yeah I like how he cleans up his message

[@Heavensent0602]

COWBOY CARTER IS AN AMAZING ALBUM!!! I LOVE IT!!! ❤❤❤ PLEASE LISTEN TO IT, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.

[@matina4432]

Coded terms ( Dog whistling) YES, they tried to tell Beyoncé that she ain’t COUNTRY enough! She have to let know I am country! Album of the year is coming.

[@jacquelynmatthews7508]

Great spokesperson for the genre. #RhiannonGiddens

[@Angbwillinspireu]

Beautiful ❤

[@shondale71]

Thanks for sharing this information ❤

[@maxdavis8271]

Great piece. Thank you.

[@mckenzieh7737]

This was beautiful ❤❤

[@ChyarasKiss]

I adore Rhiannon Giddens, I especially love when she’s teaching us history

[@chichitex1252]

Incredible interview! What a lovely, talented lady!❤❤❤

Beautiful work ❤

[@sherylsimmons8111]

Rhiannon, thank you for being a beautiful, loving musician and the history of the banjo!😊❤

[@sciencetingss]

Wi likkle but wi tallawah (this should really be the motto), big up the Jamaican ancestors for the Banjo 🇯🇲. Thanks for the new piece of info, Rhiannon

[@LilliLamour]

Shout out to Africa for birthing the banjo and carrying it across the sea.

[@77Creation]

Once again, Jamaica is overstating and exaggerating. The Banjo was brought to the Caribbean AND North America at the same time from West Africa. Y'all aren't the originators of that instrument. Africa is. And Jamaica has nothing to do with American Country music. Black American Blues and White American folk are the main ingredients.

[@fosterhart2013]

Funny thing when you listen to what the young people listen to it’s all over the place,country,hip hop classic rock even vintage Motown !

[@aaliyahb4959]

Rhiannon Giddens is amazing. Thank you Beyonce for introducing me to this legend.

[@RaineW]

I love her sass on this song. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIS1npypir-efZYsi=vBQaXLIKEGGzW5dU

[@richbrookshire]

Beautiful reporting!

[@MichaelRomeoTalksBooks]

I've loved Rhiannon Giddons and her music since her days with The Carolina Chocolate Drops.

[@tonyyay1780]

Absolutely wonderful 💎

[@davidpachecogarcia]

Texas is a melting pot. As a Hispanic with Mexican parents, there’s lots of genres in Mexican music that are very similar to American country. I would say that both fed off each other and influenced each other. However, American artists and attitudes make it seem like they’re the only ones doing anything worth listening to or worth crediting. Is the new Beyonce record may get new audiences to be interested in the samples they used in production and start to appreciate the older music. Similar to how hip hop uses samples and people go off an listen to the original music.

[@lavivaali2817]

The nerve of anyone who tries to put a color or ownership a genra a 🎶 🎵 music. No one is the BOSS of Beyonce but herself. What u resist will persist. Her haters will be her motivators. Thnx for so close attention to someone u don't like 😅. 😅😅.

[@johnnyvicente1]

So good and so enlightening

[@MsMaryee]

I felt more country when I lived in Houston than my home town of Waco, Tx! Country is my true roots. My parents introduced me to Charlie Pride, and of course, the queen Dolly Parton. My siblings and I had The Devil Went Down to Georgia MEMORIZED!! #BlackandCountry

[@TheBurnonme]

Love beyonce country album

[@adriananderson28]

❤❤❤❤Thank You❤❤❤❤

[@diepiriye]

Oberlin College does it again...for the people.

[@jacksonalex6525]

This is another killers of the flower moon moment.

[@cojack7979]

This is so impactful.

[@LaToyaChenelle]

She made me tear up! It’s sad when you need to ask permission to do done thing you love & already in your roots ❤

[@reclamationyoga5636]

This gives me so much joy.

[@keyawnspoor9903]

❤❤

[@LilliLamour]

It always amazes me after colonizing something people want to keep the originators away.

[@paulettejackson2272]

❤❤ LOVE THIS 💘

[@paulinesena7173]

Excellent story!❤❤

[@doreciacraft7267]

Heartlight!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@stephonf]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽‼️❤️

[@2hard2knock]

This collaboration is fantastic in so many ways- the history and a legacy nearly lost, stolen. Thank you, Rhiannon for digging and tracing the roots of the banjo back to Africa, and your outstanding playing and collaboration with Queen B 💕

[@360Magazine]

❤❤❤

[@simshill295]

Come together…right now over music 🎶 and knowledge

[@NostalgiaNeka]

No one has to explain it... great job!!! ❤🎉

[@shanonlee8216]

🖤🖤🖤

[@wc6442]

She brings tears to my ears, a silent assassin. Keep it moving Beyonce.

[@farylboykin8741]

I love her passion for music, especially her passion for the banjo and who plays it. she is an Amazing lady (before Beyonce and after) I'm glad to know of her.

[@deenao2351]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@YinkaLuvsRainbows]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gls153h7]

The song "Just for fun" is absolutely beautiful. I've listened about 10 times. Blackbird is also very nice My opinion. Cowboy Carter is not country but has country elements I have listened to the album. I like about 5 songs. She has a right to explore what ever strikes her fancy as others have done. Linda Ronsradt Queen. David Bowie (Fame) etc

[@beneg417]

People have to let go of the whole "this is not country" when there are already 50+ country sub genres. OutKast at one point was the most country boy group id ever heard in sound, accents, and story telling. But they were black country stories and because they were rapping they were excluded. Now we hear white country performers singing and rapping all the time.

[@annietripp8035]

Beyonce said it's not a country album it's a Beyonce album.

[@tkberry321]

❤

[@user-fs6xq3pk9k]

❤Gidden

[@talitam.8414]

Oh Ma'am don't cry...and great job!

[@SilkyDanielle-]

Country music was always ours . Music is our “Mark” in our country- period

[@user-fi3fu6lh3q]

@8:30 @8:33 I have been saying this for some years now.... That using live instruments and having that instrumental connection when you're producing music, enables you to make heartfelt rhythms and songs that are classic and relatable, unlike todays mostly AI generated beats with low frequency that are passed off to the majority of today's hiphop and r&b, leaving us feeling disconnected and more depressed.. our 80s and 90s and ealier music made us feel stronger to fight and feel better about our circumstances, bc there was an actual spiritual connection to the instruments and the experience of making the music that was felt through our souls. For example, country and rock has produced tons of great music that you can hear through the powerful chords and vocals of alice in chains and pearl jam as well with Regina Belle, Stevie wonder, etc. That's why I feel the instruments and chorus and band was taken out of the urban schools bc music is therapy and healing but the powers that be have this agenda war on our youth and culture.

[@isaiahwade3041]

She was a genius using Texas Instruments lol

[@spacewitchvulcan]

Come back to Vicar Street Rhiannon!

[@naimahthompsongrantrealtor9117]

Love Beyonce , love Rihannon, over The lies that we need permission! Kick down doors! Go get em!

[@user-kv4ns7gw6k]

No different then when Taylor sings country with a pop twing! I think the its more about her previous album that was very pro Black Lives Matter to now HOWDY DO!!!

[@KellieAlston]

Like many things in the USA that were stolen, taken over, and claimed by "others", country music is no different. Interestingly, I used to say I wanted to be the Black Shania Twain but gave up on the idea bc of how exclusive the genre is. I have written many country songs but put my notebook to the side due to this issue. I hope that the amazing Black country artists receive more recognition and appreciation for composing and performing music that they have been gifted to share with the world.🎉🎉🎉

[@themindofz7811]

Good story!!

[@nafeassiya]

There were a lot of black people who didn't like it either and that's sad😢 I was so happy for her when I first heard it it's catchy to me❤

[@tinytrouble1782]

If Eminem can rap become the best rap artist, then Beyoncé can sing country music and be the best country singer, it's about giving people a chance and opening doors that are always gate kept

[@jeffcorpuz9015]

TS must be shaking right now. 😂

[@yellowmonkeyvirus5756]

her new country music might not do well in america , but who knows these country music might be played in every corner of china korea , it's a huge world out there

[@plutotech]

its doing well. its number #1 on the charts.

[@musicneurons7807]

Tracy Chapman was the first Black woman with a number one country song . And it was a record released in 1988! It was too sacred a music moment to ignore. a big month for country music. Yall know Tracy didn't do it for that, but she still deserves her credit. Please issue a correction. 3:02

[@Lapresipuntocom]

Nodoby in the world liked that music, only in the us. Beyonce is giving them a huge platform!! Be grateful