“My voice — and my words — still find new life and meaning today.” Those were the joy-filled words of 84-year-old gospel legend Queen Esther Marrow, after discovering that Beyoncé sampled her vocals during the Cowboy Carter tour.
The soul-stirring moment, captured in a now-viral video, shows Marrow sitting beside a family member, watching Beyoncé’s performance on a laptop. When her voice boomed through the speakers during an interlude to the viral hit Texas Hold ’Em, Marrow’s reaction was pure magic.
“That’s me! Oh my God!” she gasped, pointing at the screen, her face beaming with surprise and laughter.
From Civil Rights Soundtrack to Cowboy Carter Stage
Marrow’s journey began long before the spotlight found her again. Discovered at age 22 by Duke Ellington, she became one of the most powerful voices in American gospel and soul music.
She performed alongside Mahalia Jackson and Ella Fitzgerald, toured with Ray Charles, and sang at rallies for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Now, decades later, her voice has reached new audiences through the artistry of Beyoncé, who has made it her mission to highlight Black roots in American music genres often whitewashed by history.
In a touching Instagram statement, Marrow reflected on what this recognition means to her legacy:
“At 84 years young, I am deeply honored to know that my voice — and my words — still find new life and meaning today. The song that Beyoncé chose to sample in her interlude to Texas Hold ’Em on her Cowboy Carter tour is one I co-wrote and had the privilege to perform and record many years ago.”
A Voice That Helped Shape History
Marrow’s sampled track, believed to be the spiritually infused Walk Tall, underscores themes of strength and self-worth — ideals she has championed her entire life.
As a founding member of the Harlem Gospel Singers, she carried messages of faith and freedom around the world, even singing for presidents, the Pope, and countless heads of state.
But for Marrow, the greatest honor may be seeing younger generations discover her sound.
“Thank you to every listener, young and old, who keeps the legacy alive for all of us of a certain generation,” she wrote. “And thank you to Beyoncé for letting my voice and my words echo in your powerful show. May we never forget the power of our music to heal, uplift, and unite.”
A New Chapter in an Ongoing Legacy
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album has sparked national dialogue for its unapologetic reclamation of Black influence in country and Americana genres. Featuring everyone from Willie Nelson to Linda Martell, the project draws on both musical history and personal storytelling, and Marrow’s inclusion bridges two powerful legacies of Southern Black womanhood and resilience.
The emotional moment of recognition, Marrow’s laughter, the joy, and the disbelief represent more than a cameo. It’s a testament to the idea that music is timeless and that the voices of our elders still shape the culture, even in an era of TikTok trends and streaming playlists.
Queen Esther Marrow may be 84, but her sound and message are ageless. And now, her voice travels with Beyoncé night after night across stadiums filled with a new generation of believers.
