Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter release is nothing but impressive. Not only because of the magnitude of its critical and fan reception but also because it is now already a cultural touchstone for Black people who have since become alienated from the White-dominated music genre.
Now, musical savant Jon Batiste praised Beyoncé in a glorifying rant.
Jon Batiste Lauds Beyoncé for Bold, Genre-Crossing Move
Beyoncé, who has since stayed on the R&B and Pop lanes for most of her career, shocked everyone with her decision to dabble in country music in response to an incident where she felt unwelcomed on the country music scene.
Her response? Release Cowboy Carter. Since then, she has worked with various collaborators, including Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, RAYE, and Jon Batiste.
Batiste was credited as a producer and songwriter on Beyoncé's title track, "Ameriican Requiem."
On a Twitter/X post, Batiste shared nothing but good words for Beyoncé.
"This is the moment yall, where we dismantle the genre machine. I was happy to produce and write for AMERIICAN REQUIEM, along with Beyoncé and Dion "NO ID" Wilson," he wrote." When I catch inspiration, the words and chords pour out of me. What a honor to then see how brilliantly Beyoncé made them her own and THEN further enhanced the lyrical statement, synthesizing it into the larger body of work."
Batiste and Beyoncé hail from Louisiana, although the latter grew up in Texas. Tina Knowles was a Louisiana Creole.
READ MORE: Azealia Banks Provides Unfiltered Criticism of Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter'
Jon Batiste 'Grateful' for Beyoncé
Elsewhere in his post, Jon Batiste thanked Beyoncé for the opportunity.
"@Beyonce, very grateful for my contribution to your brilliant album, a work of such unimaginable impact and artistic firepower by a once in a generation artist. So glad that we finally got to collaborate with each other at this time," he added.
According to Batiste, "producing and writing" for "Ameriican Requiem" was an "example of extraordinary alignment-when many leading artists see a similar vision at the same time, that's when you know a major shift is happening."
"A new era, long time coming. Let's liberate ourselves from genre and break the barriers that marginalize who we are and the art that we create. Grateful also for the contribution by my brother @dixson and the other collaborators who made this opening statement of Cowboy Carter possible," he added.
This is the moment yall, where we dismantle the genre machine. I was happy to produce and write for AMERIICAN REQUIEM, along with Beyoncé and Dion "NO ID" Wilson. When I catch inspiration, the words and chords pour out of me. What a honor to then see how brilliantly Beyoncé… pic.twitter.com/EPfFKePxpJ
— jon batiste (@JonBatiste) March 30, 2024
