Beyoncé's country tune '16 Carriages' was made before 2022's 'Act I: Renaissance' album.
The 42-year-old superstar has switched things up for her upcoming country album, 'Act II: Cowboy Carter', with the two lead singles, 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages', dividing opinion.
The record is a celebration of the Houston native's Southern roots, and the song from the second instalment of Beyoncé's trilogy project was conceived amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, before the first album was released.
Appearing on the 'Acknowledged' YouTube series, producer Atia ‘INK’ Boggs spilled: “So a lot of people don’t know, we actually had this first.
“So imagine having this timeless, classic music first and having to wait, and then she came up with ‘Act I’.
"So we came out of being isolated, back into the world from no parties to finally expressing ourselves."
On her decision to go country, Boggs added: “And it’s like, baby, we don’t do just one thing we do everything, and we do it well. That’s what she’s letting you know. This is her Southern roots; this is her Texas roots.”
On the criticism she has faced, the songwriter - who has also worked with Chris Brown and Justin Bieber - added: “Representation matters, that sound matters. This sound is Black music, this is what we started.
“'16 Carriages,’ that was one of my favourite songs I’ve ever made and produced in all of my life. Because it’s so personal. I love to see her in that personal light.”
Despite the naysayers, the country world has been largely welcoming of the project, with Beyoncé getting the seal of approval from the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton.
She shared on social media: "I'm a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she's done a country album.
"So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single. Can't wait to hear the full album!"
The 'Crazy in Love' hitmaker became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with 'Texas Hold 'Em' after it debuted at No.1 on the US chart, and '16 Carriages' has also racked up some impressive streams.
Dolly, 78, also let slip that Beyoncé might have covered 'Jolene' for the album.
