Following the release of Beyoncé’s latest album “Cowboy Carter,” the world is abuzz with admiration for its brilliance.
Featuring hit singles like “Blackbiird,” “Texas Hold ‘Em,” and “Riiverdance,” the album has made waves in the music industry.
It broke records as the most-streamed album in a single day on Spotify in 2024 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking Beyoncé’s eighth time atop the chart.
With such success, “Cowboy Carter” is already being considered a strong contender for Album of the Year at the upcoming Grammy Awards.
But the impact of “Cowboy Carter” extends beyond the music realm. Black-owned businesses have experienced a surge in demand for cowboy apparel since the album’s release, according to NBC News.
Philomina Kane, founder of athleisure brand KIN Apparel, witnessed this firsthand when an April Fool’s joke about selling satin-lined cowboy hats garnered unexpected interest from customers.
Recognizing the demand, Kane decided to start production, leading to a waitlist of 2,400 signatures for the hats, despite only 1,000 being in production. The hats are set to be released in June 2024.
Genia Moses, owner of MCD Boots, a viral sensation in 2022 as the “first Black woman-owned boot company,” is also reaping the benefits of the Beyoncé effect.
Moses reported a 20% increase in boot sales following the release of “Cowboy Carter.” Consumer behavior research firm Circana noted a more than 20% rise in sales of Western-style boots the week of the album’s release, as reported by CNBC.
While “Cowboy Carter” initially gained attention for spotlighting Black artists rooted in the country music genre, such as Willie Jones, Shaboozey, and Tanner Adell, it is now also shining a light on Black entrepreneurs.
“Beyoncé shows us that anything is possible,” Kane expressed, articulating Beyoncé’s role as both an inspiration and motivator for Black entrepreneurs.
