DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Opinion: Winds of fate confront Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. To Trump’s delight, the top court’s session dimmed the chances the federal case will go to trial before the election. (Trump has denied the affairs with Daniels and McDougal and has pleaded not guilty to the hush money charges. Here’s why we should tune in anyway 04:27 - Source: CNNAs SE Cupp noted, “Trump and Biden debated twice in 2020. Chris Pizzello/Invision/APCNN anchor Victor Blackwell is a fervent Beyoncé fan but her foray into country music didn’t initially grab him.

Persons: CNN —, Yabushige, Yoshii, ”, “, Toranaga, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Jack Smith, Steve Vladeck, Neil Gorsuch, ” Clay Jones, immunizing Trump, John Roberts, Roberts, ” Vladeck, Joey Jackson, David Pecker, Pecker’s “, Michael Cohen …, Norm Eisen, George T, Conway III, Jill Filipovic, Melania Trump, Melania, Daniels, McDougal, ” Bill Bramhall, Frida Ghitis, Jonathan Greenblatt, ” “, Rev, Serene Jones, Israel … ”, Julian Zelizer, …, Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, Richard Daley, Richard Nixon, Fareed Zakaria, Ian Berlin, I’m, Bill Bramhall, Kara Alaimo, ” Alaimo, “ Trump, Biden, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Chip Bok, Clarissa Wei, Mike Johnson, Sen, John Fetterman of, Johnson, Scott Jennings, it’s, Mark Hannah, “ Biden, ” Biden, Hannah, Deborah Carr, Gerry Turner, Theresa, ’ —, ” Carr, ” Don’t, Terri Gerstein, Hasan Merali, Tess Taylor, Jeff Yang, Dean Obeidallah, Joey Weatherford, Beyoncé, Chris Pizzello, Victor Blackwell, didn’t, ’, Carter, she’s, CNN FlashDocs, Duke Ellington, Sammy Miller, Billy Strayhorn, Ellington, Strayhorn, Michael Ochs, “ Ellington, — Organizations: CNN, Republican, Art Deco New, “, Trump, New, American Media, National Enquirer, Agency, Columbia University , Yale, Defamation League, Hillel, Columbia, Force, Union Theological Seminary, New York City Police Department, Columbia University, Twitter, Facebook, Democratic, Convention, Chicago police, Yale, Real Housewives, Syndicate, Theresa Nist, Nashville’s, Max, Michael Ochs Archives Locations: New York, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Israel, Israeli, Columbia, Gaza, Chicago, Vietnam, Taiwan, China, America, Taipei, ”, Ukraine, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Fetterman, Crimea, Los Angeles, Sugar, Harlem

☆ How the Black Opry is helping elevate artists of color in country music
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Before there was conversation over whether Beyoncé is country enough for country music, there was the Black Opry, holding space for music lovers and artists of color in the genre. “I’m super, super excited about that because that’s the single piece that’s been really, really difficult for us to figure out. Courtesy BeyoncéHolly G. started the Black Opry in an attempt to find country fans of color, who like her, did not feel welcomed. “I try to be careful to make the distinction when I talk about country music, between country music and the mainstream industry and country music the art form and genre,” she said. “I got my first tour with Sara Shook & the Disarmers and Joshua Ray Walker thanks to the Black Opry,” Vance told CNN.

Persons: CNN FlashDocs, Max, Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, ”, Holly G, “, it’s, They’ve, Aaron Vance, Mickey Guyton, Darius Rucker, Kane Brown, Vance, Sara Shook, Joshua Ray Walker, ” Vance, It’s, he’s Organizations: CNN, Nashville’s, Black Opry, The, Opry Locations: Beyoncé, Nashville, Mississippi

Nvidia Eddie George picked chipmaker darling Nvidia for its long-term prospects. Oracle shares are up roughly 9% this year. Apple George selected Apple for his second pick. Faced with waning demand and rising competitive pressures, Apple stock has shed nearly 12% this year, making it a weak link among the "Magnificent Seven" tech cohort. The company's legacy of sustainable excellence has also paved the way for cutting-edge technology like Apple Pay and the Apple Watch.

Persons: gunning, Breanna Stewart, Stewart, Mark Zuckerberg, Nvidia Eddie George, George, Jensen Huang, Charlotte Flair, Flair, Oz Pearlman, bitcoin, Pearlman, It's, Caterpillar's, Ekeler, Schulman, Carter, Microsoft Jillian Michaels, Giancarlo Chersich, Michaels, Nancy Pelosi's, Oracle Joey Chestnut, Larry Ellison, Wall, DraftKings, Karen Finerman, Apple George, Apple, DraftKings Eddie George, Apple Charlotte Flair, IBM Oz Pearlman, Carvana Austin, Intel Nev Schulman, Crocs Jillian Michaels, Google Joey, Starbucks Kenny, Smith Organizations: Meta, Nvidia, Tennessee Titans, Tennessee State University, Computer WWE, Computer, Micro, IBM, bitcoin, Caterpillar, Washington, Microsoft, Oracle, FactSet, CNBC, Apple, Apple Watch, Intel, JPMorgan Druski, Nike, Google, Starbucks, Warner Bros, Delta Air Locations: American, Nashville

☆ US concert spending: Americans will continue to spend big on live shows in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It was remarkable, given that inflation was elevated and interest rates were at their highest in two decades. “With the job market and economy holding strong, consumers could continue spending on these tours – and there’s certainly still demand,” Liz Anderson, a content strategist at jobs site Appcast, said in a statement to CNN. Beyoncé released “Cowboy Carter” on March 29, her eighth studio album featuring 27 tracks rooted in country music. Swift released her eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” Friday, and it soared past Beyoncé’s streaming record in just a few hours, becoming Spotify’s most streamed album in a single day of 2024. Swift’s latest set of music was released a “double album,” consisting of 15 extra tracks.

Persons: Washington CNN — Taylor Swift, Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Bad, there’s, Liz Anderson, ”, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, —, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Carter ”, hasn’t, Pawan Joshi, “ We’re, ’, Jeanelle Johnson Organizations: Washington CNN, Coachella Valley Music and Arts, Billboard, Federal, CNN, Poets Department, International Monetary Fund, PricewaterhouseCoopers Locations: Coachella, States

☆ Led by stars like Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark, women keep breaking boundaries (and records) in entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The highest-grossing film in recent memory is Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” And the most-watched basketball star is Caitlin Clark. Beyoncé’s first country album, “Cowboy Carter,” topped Billboard’s charts with nearly half a million copies sold in its debut week. Meanwhile, Swift is set to release her highly anticipated album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on Friday. The impact of a once-in-a-generation star like Swift will surely inspire interest in other female-led performers, spawning even greater appetite and opportunities. Compare that to the NBA’s top pick Victor Wembanyama, who signed a $55 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs.

Persons: New York CNN —, Taylor Swift, Greta Gerwig’s “ Barbie, Caitlin Clark, Swift, Beyoncé’s, Cowboy Carter, ”, Tom Poleman, CNN’s Alli Rosenbloom, ” “ It’s, ” Poleman, Clark, Barbie ”, Gerwig, didn’t, Victor Wembanyama, “, Hoda Kotb, Caitlin Organizations: New York CNN, Poets Department, Clark’s Hawkeyes, South Carolina Gamecocks, NBA, WNBA, Street Journal, NCAA, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Warner Bros . Pictures, CNN, Indiana Fever, San Antonio Spurs Locations: New York, America

☆ Why Taylor Swift's new album will be a hit — no matter what it sounds like
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Taylor Swift's new album "The Tortured Poets Department" will arrive on Friday, April 19. AdvertisementIf you spend enough time in Taylor Swift-devoted territories of social media, as I have, you'll find posts that proclaim "The Tortured Poets Department" is her best album yet. Die-hard fans say it's a masterpiece, destined to win Swift her fifth Grammy Award for album of the year. But the fact that no fan has heard even one second of "Poets" — the album isn't out until Friday — seems to be a moot point. The aforementioned fans who insist "Poets" will dominate charts and break records have no idea what the album sounds like.

Persons: Taylor, —, Taylor Swift, Swift, — Maja, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, Swiftmania, wouldn't Swift, Swifties, Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter Organizations: Department, Service, Spotify Locations: Chicago, Los Angeles, Texas

☆ Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Avoided a Collision on the Charts. (Again.)
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Craig Marks | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In February, Taylor Swift took the stage at the Grammy Awards to accept the prize for best pop vocal album. 1, don’t release it on April 19. A week later, following a teaser during a Super Bowl commercial, Beyoncé also dropped news of a new album: “Cowboy Carter” would arrive earlier than “Poets,” with breathing room, on March 29. Another pop powerhouse in the Grammy audience made her own announcement in early April: Billie Eilish will unveil her forthcoming third album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” a month after Swift’s release, on May 17. Beyoncé and Swift, the 21st century’s pre-eminent pop stars, have often been cast as competitors if not rivals, a story line partly rooted in misogyny and amplified by dueling fan armies filled with stans, or superfans.

Persons: Taylor Swift, ”, Beyoncé, Carter ”, Billie Eilish, Swift Organizations: Recording Academy, Poets Department

☆ Taylor Swift's new album rollout strategy shows she's too big to fail
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Taylor Swift's new album "The Tortured Poets Department" will arrive on Friday, April 19. The quiet rollout strategy says a lot about Swift's stature in the pop-music landscape. Die-hard fans say it's a masterpiece, destined to win Swift her fifth Grammy Award for album of the year. The aforementioned fans who insist "Poets" will dominate charts and break records have no idea what the album sounds like. The particulars of each rollout strategy are rendered irrelevant, dwarfed by the all-consuming enormity of her own personal news cycle.

☆ Beyoncé is sending Levi’s and Western boot sales soaring
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

All of which has apparently sent fans flocking to Levi’s for denim jeans, denim jackets and Western clothing since the album was released on March 29. Levi’s has made its own moves to capitalize on Beyoncé namechecking the brand and the extra attention it’s receiving. Angus Mordant/Bloomberg/Getty Images“Act II: Cowboy Carter” has also led to a rise in Western boot sales. Sales spiked another 45% the following week when “Texas Hold ‘Em” reached the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, Circana said. Beyoncé has also lifted Western boot sales at Calares, a women’s shoe and accessories chain, said Dana Telsey, a retail analyst at Telsey Advisory Group.

Persons: Bey, Cowboy Carter, Post Malone, Levi’s, ”, Michelle Gass, Beyoncé, Angus Mordant, Cowboy Carter ”, Circana, Taylor Swift, Beth Goldstein, Dana Telsey, Etsy, Th, CNN’s Lisa France Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bloomberg, Getty, Circana, Telsey Advisory, Billboard, Deutsche Bank Locations: New York, Pass_by, Instagram, Stockholm

☆ Sabrina Carpenter may have dropped this year's summer bop with 'Espresso.' Here's how valuable a summer hit can be.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Katie Balevic | Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sabrina Carpenter just dropped "Espresso," which is already topping the charts. With her new song "Espresso," the pop star may have just dropped this year's summertime hit. Cyrus' 2023 single "Flowers" breathed new life into her career after a rocky public personaMiley Cyrus performs at the 2024 Grammys. Like Carpenter, Cyrus was a Disney child star who amassed international fame with "Hannah Montana." So with "Espresso," Carpenter has a chance to catapult herself onto the big stage and secure her place as a bonafide star.

Persons: Sabrina Carpenter, —, Taylor, Barry Keoghan, She's, Carpenter, Theo Wargo, Sabrina Carpenter's, Morgan Wallen's, Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, SZA, Cyrus, Amy Sussman, cushioned Cyrus, Forbes, Vijat, Hannah Montana, Pharrell Williams, Cowboy Carter, Armando L, Sanchez, Bill, Timothy Norris, J, Cole, Nicki Minaj Organizations: Service, Coachella, Spotify's, Spotify, Apple, NBC, Getty, Chicago Tribune, Tribune, Billboard, iHeart Locations: Disney

☆ Beyoncé bounce: Western boot sales jump more than 20% week over week since 'Cowboy Carter' launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Beyonce leaves the Luar fashion show at 154 Scott in Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week on February 13, 2024 in New York City. The country fashion staple's sales surged more than 20% in the week after the music superstar released her "Cowboy Carter" album, according to consumer behavior firm Circana. "Cowboy Carter," which came out late last month, marked the "Halo" singer's foray into the country genre. Louis Vuitton unveiled an American Western line during Paris Fashion Week earlier this year, featuring models in everything from cowboy hats to bolo ties. Beyoncé's chart-topping album can provide a same-store sales boost and help lasso in women shoppers at Boot Barn , said Williams analyst Sam Poser.

Persons: Beyonce, Carter, Cowboy Carter, Circana, Louis Vuitton, Taylor Swift's, Williams, Sam Poser Organizations: Scott, New York, Paris Locations: Brooklyn, New, New York City, Beyoncé, American, California

☆ Opinion: Beyoncé is the start of a Black country groundswell
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Opinion Alice Randall | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Her book “My Black Country: A Journey Through ” Country Music’s Past, Present and Future,” was published this month. I hear Black moonshiners and Black cowboys, Black nature lovers and Black ghosts, Black angels, Black freedom fighters, gunslingers and Black shotgun riders. It could start a groundswell of long overdue recognition of the overlooked Black country legends and hope for the Black country stars of the future. But for Black performers in particular, it offers a seat, at long last, at a gathering of the country music family. As I write in “My Black Country,” “I have imagined Black country and country to be born as an art form, as an aesthetic, in the year 1624 near Jamestown, Virginia.

Persons: Alice Randall, who’s, ”, I’ve, Alice Randall Keren Trevino, Matraca Berg, Beyoncé’s, Carter, she’s, White, “, Jolene, Cowboy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, Sen, Ted Kennedy, Roy Acuff, DeFord Bailey, Ole Opry’s, jumpstart Acuff’s, Anna Gordy, Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye, Anna, Anna Gordy —, Detroit, Carter ”, Linda Martell, Rumi Carter, Jay Z, Blue Ivy, Sir, Rumi, Mike Blake, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter ”, ” Beyoncé, William Tucker, Stoney Edwards Organizations: CNN, Country Music Association, DAR, Blacks, Motown Records, Anna Records, Grand Ole Opry, Reuters, America, Eagle Locations: Nashville, Washington , DC, George H.W ., Detroit, Los Angeles, Black, European, Jamestown , Virginia, America, It’s

☆ Brittney Spencer is telling her own story and collecting cosigns from her heroes — including Beyoncé
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewWhen Brittney Spencer woke up on Monday morning, she had no idea she would hit a major career milestone. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. "That wasn't even on my radar," she told Business Insider of her top-40 debut, adding with a laugh, "My life has been very random." AdvertisementAlthough "My Stupid Life" contains the most explicitly personal lyricism of her career, Spencer has a knack for speaking her own dreams into existence — if not always intentionally. (Morris sang backup on Spencer's album highlight "Night In," while McEntire took Spencer on tour in 2022.)

Persons: —, Brittney Spencer, Parker McCollum, Spencer's, Beyoncé, Spencer, Carter, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell, they've, I'm, Queen Bey, Maren, Whitney, Maren Morris, Reba McEntire, Morris, McEntire, Queen Latifah, John Shearer, I've, She's, she'll, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Cowboy Carter Organizations: Service, CMT, Business, Twitter, Stagecoach, Outlaw Locations: Nashville, Instagram

☆ Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Opens at No. 1 With the Year’s Biggest Sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Ben Sisario | More About Ben Sisario | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Beyoncé’s genre-bending “Cowboy Carter” has become her eighth No. 1 album, opening with the biggest sales of any release so far this year. “Cowboy Carter,” billed as “Act II” of a trilogy that began with Beyoncé’s dance-oriented album “Renaissance” almost two years ago, had been expected by fans, and the music industry at large, as primarily a country project. “Cowboy Carter” arrives with the equivalent of 407,000 sales in the United States, and in addition to topping the all-genre Billboard 200 chart it is also No. Of its composite total sales figure, “Cowboy Carter” sold 168,000 copies as a complete album, including 62,000 on vinyl versions sold through Beyoncé’s website.

Persons: Carter ”, “ Cowboy Carter, ”, Dolly Parton’s, Jolene, Nancy Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Cowboy Carter ” Organizations: Metro Boomin Locations: United States

☆ Beyoncé makes history with ‘Cowboy Carter’ hitting No. 1
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Beyoncé may have proclaimed that her latest project “ain’t a country album,” but someone forgot to tell the charts that. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart with her “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” according to Billboard. The accomplishment comes at a time where there has been debate over the fact that Beyoncé herself is not a country music artist. If the argument is made that Bey lacks the country music pedigree, how about two of the genre’s biggest stars? lang have also found acceptance in the country music space.

Persons: CNN —, Cowboy Carter, ”, Beyoncé, Bey, Mathew Knowles, Tina Knowles, Keith Urban, Shania Twain Getty, That’s, Shania Twain, Twain, Carter, “, Queen Bey Organizations: CNN, Billboard, Country Music Association, Urban Locations: Texas, Houston , Texas, American, Alabama, Mama , Louisiana, Gadsden , Alabama, Galveston , Texas, Louisiana, Australia, Canada

☆ Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Asks, and Answers, a Crucial Question in Her Latest Album - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Tressie Mcmillan Cottom | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Beyoncé released a genre-bending country album, “Cowboy Carter,” last week. In outlaw country tradition, “Cowboy Carter” settles scores with haters and with history. It was for the white Southern voters Nixon needed to win over amid massive resistance to Black enfranchisement. Embracing country music is a loyalty test for conservative politicians and right-wing pundits whose career ambitions align with white identity politics. Beyoncé singing country music in this political climate was always going to cause a stir.

Persons: Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, ”, Cowboy Carter ”, —, Richard Nixon, Nixon Organizations: Southern, Today’s Republican Party Locations: growled, Nashville, Texas

☆ Will Beyoncé announce the Cowboy Carter' tour? Fans think she may be hitting the road again soon.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Renaissance World Tour wrapped last October in Kansas City. So it would stand to reason — financially and thematically — that Beyoncé would plan another tour leg for "Cowboy Carter." He celebrated the release of "Cowboy Carter" on X, writing, "This tour bout to B' Incredible!" pic.twitter.com/KNHQOuqFI9 — COWBOY CARTER TOUR (@CowboyCarterWT) March 31, 2024However, the six-month turnaround since Beyoncé's last concert does cast suspicion on these theories. Thanks to "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé," we know the Renaissance World Tour took four years to ideate and execute.

Persons: Beyoncé, Carter, —, Cowboy Carter, Tina Knowles, Lawson, Instagram, Knowles, KNHQOuqFI9, CARTER, she's, Gtg7f2jvSG — Antoinette “, ” Childs, @Beyonce, …, GPhRrW1GiF — Nicolas Organizations: Service, Texas Locations: Kansas City, @TheFancyFriend

☆ Paul McCartney says Beyonce’s ‘Blackbird’ cover ‘reinforces’ civil rights message behind it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Alli Rosenbloom | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

“Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud,” he added. The powerful meaning behind the original song adds to the emotional depth of Beyoncé’s 2024 cover, which is amplified by the voices of four up-and-coming Black female country artists featured on the track: Tiera Kennedy, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer and Reyna Roberts. McCartney in his post on Thursday wrote that he spoke to Beyoncé on FaceTime and she thanked him for writing “Blackbird” and for letting her cover it. “I told her the pleasure was all mine,” he wrote. “I thought she had done a killer version of the song.”

Persons: CNN — Paul McCartney, Cowboy Carter, ”, McCartney, ” McCartney, Tiera Kennedy, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, “ Organizations: CNN, Little Locations: United States, Arkansas

☆ Opinion: The problem with Beyoncé’s ‘Jolene’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Opinion Holly Thomas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s hardly my place to conclude how much of Beyoncé’s riff on “Jolene” is autobiographical, but I think we can safely assume she wants us to guess. That approach applies perfectly to country music (though she insists “Cowboy Carter” is “a ‘Beyoncé’ album,” not a country album). In “Daughter,” the track that follows “Jolene” on “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé continues on the theme of adultery. Whether or not Beyoncé’s “Jolene” has anything to do with her real life — or anyone’s — I think it’s a mistake to see it as a departure from Parton’s version. For someone cycling through the stages of post-cheating grief, Beyoncé’s “Jolene” reads like the “anger” prequel to Dolly’s “bargaining” “Jolene.” As listeners, the point isn’t to imitate either of them, or to know the roots of every phrase.

Persons: Holly Thomas, Katie Couric, CNN —, Holly Thomas Holly Thomas, Beyoncé’s, Dolly Parton’s, Jolene, ”, Cowboy Carter, Jolene — she’s, Parton, “, Beyoncé, don’t, ” Beyoncé, Azealia Banks, Jay, I’m, Tina, Jolene ”, Cowboy Carter ”, Dolly, Becky, Z, She’s, Becky ”, coos Organizations: Katie Couric Media, CNN Locations: London, Houston, Louisiana

☆ Tiera Kennedy isn't allowed to reveal when Beyoncé recruited her for 'Cowboy Carter'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tiera Kennedy is featured on Beyoncé's new album "Cowboy Carter." "I've always dreamed of collaborating with her, but never knew if that would actually happen because it's Beyoncé," Kennedy, 26, said during a follow-up call this week. AdvertisementHere's what Kennedy can say: She didn't know her contributions to "Blackbiird" and "Tyrant" had made the cut until the tracklist was unveiled online. Asked if coordinating four busy schedules posed any big challenges, Kennedy said simply: "When Beyoncé calls, you show up." At the time, Kennedy didn't know Cam had worked on the song, but now she sees it as the "cherry on top."

Persons: Tiera Kennedy, Carter, Beyoncé, Kennedy, what's, —, didn't, I've, it's, hadn't, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Paul McCartney, they've, Camaron Ochs, Cam, Taylor Swift's, Paul McCartney's Organizations: Service, Beatles, Big Locations: Beyoncé

☆ Miley Cyrus was a lifelong fan of Beyoncé before they dueted on 'II Most Wanted' — here's the proof
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Miley Cyrus is featured on "II Most Wanted," the 16th track on Beyoncé's new album "Cowboy Carter." Cyrus and Beyoncé previously performed together in 2008 during a "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon. Critics have praised Cyrus and Beyoncé as "two pop chameleons," delivering a "tastefully restrained" and well-balanced performance. "My favorite song on the album is 2 most wanted with Miley Cyrus ! Read more of Business Insider's "Cowboy Carter" coverage here.

Persons: Miley Cyrus, Carter, Cyrus, Beyoncé, —, Hannah Montana, Miley, Fleetwood, Rihanna, Cowboy Carter, Cyrus reshared, Tina Knowles, Lawson, I've, Dolly Parton, Dolly, Read Organizations: Cancer, Service, Disney Channel

☆ Nearly half of Levi's sales are happening online and in its shops, a shift as department stores fade
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Excluding one-time costs related to Levi's restructuring, the company reported earnings per share of 26 cents, ahead of Wall Street's estimates. The sales slump was primarily attributed to a shift in Levi's wholesale orders, which boosted profits by about $100 million in the year-ago period. For the last couple of years, Levi's has been moving away from wholesalers and doing more of its sales through its own stores and website. If Macy's store closures or other challenges to department stores affects Levi's business, she expects direct-to-consumer sales will offset those losses. During the quarter, sales of items like denim skirts, dresses and tops were up 19% in Levi's direct-to-consumer channel, said Gass.

Persons: Levi Strauss, Levi's, Macy's, Levi's —, Michelle Gass, Gass, Harmit Singh, Beyoncé, Carter, Post Malone Organizations: Levi's, LSEG, Arkhouse Management, CNBC Locations: U.S, Europe

☆ Beyoncé worked with a variety of artists to make 'Cowboy Carter.' Here are 12 collaborators you may have missed.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Beyoncé released her eighth solo album, "Cowboy Carter," last Friday. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementBeyoncé may be the Rodeo Queen on the cover of "Cowboy Carter," but she lassoed a formidable crew to execute her genre-blending, countrified vision. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, Jon Batiste, Ryan Beatty, Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams, —, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Linda Martell Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Raye, Nashville

☆ Beyoncé is opening the door for these Black country artists
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Beyoncé has some people excited about country music. But they aren’t the only ones whose careers could benefit from Queen Bey’s entrance into country music. Andrew Nelles /The Tennessean/USA Today NetworkRVSHVD (pronounced Ra-shad) is another Georgia native who is making his way in the country music industry. Apple TV+Ashlie Amber may not have won a TV competition meant to open doors for underrepresented country artists, but she’s definitely winning fans. Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesTwins Derek Campbell and Brandon Campbell are fighting for inclusivity in country music in more ways than one.

Persons: CNN — Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé, can’t, Dolly Parton’s, Jolene, ”, Tanner Adell, Willie Jones, Tiera Kennedy, Linda Martell, Reyna Roberts, Brittney Spencer, Derek White, Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, Twain, “, ” Twain, ” Kylan Boykin, we’re, Nytere Boykin, Carter ”, ” Nytere Boykin, RVSHVD RVSHVD, Andrew Nelles, Clint Rashad Johnson, Keith Urban’s, — Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Angel Rewis, Johnson, She’s, Amber Ashlie Amber, Amber, she’s, Reese Witherspoon, Kacey Musgraves, Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, Orville Peck, ” Micaela Kleinsmith, ” Amber, “ Beyoncé, Derek Campbell, Brandon Campbell, Jason Kempin, we’ve, ” Derek Campbell, WSMV4, Hart, Trea Swindle, Danica Hart, Devynn Hart, Chapel Hart, Evan Agostini, “ Jolene, –, Danica, Trea, America’s, ” Parton, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, The Recording, CMT, USA, Billboard, Florida Georgia Line, Apple, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Winery, Getty, inclusivity, ”, Rolling Stone, Chapel, Channel, Nashville Locations: Atlanta, Nashville, Georgia, Florida, Nashville , Tennessee, Kentucky, Winery Nashville, Versailles , Kentucky, America, Austin , Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana

☆ 'Act III' will be Beyoncé's next album: Here are the 4 genres the Beyhive thinks it could be
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Following the release of "Cowboy Carter," fans are speculating on the genre of Beyoncé's next album. AdvertisementHold your horses, Beyhive: "Act II" just came out and you're already thinking about "Act III?" Following the Friday release of "Cowboy Carter," Beyoncé's genre-bending country album, fans of the award-winning singer are speculating on what she has up her sleeve for her next album. However, Bey has shown us that she can belt a tune in Spanish, thanks to her 2007 "Irreemplazable" album — Spanish recordings of songs from her "Irreplaceable" album. A rock album would align with Beyoncé's mission to reclaim art forms created by Black musicians, and "Cowboy Carter" is chock full of rock references.

Persons: Cowboy Carter, —, Beyoncé, hasn't, Bey, Shakira collab, Carter, DJ Dedé Mandrake, Clark, Willow, Chuck Berry's, Berry, Nancy Sinatra, Fleetwood, — let's, Jack White Organizations: Service, Parkwood Entertainment, John's United Methodist Church, Beach, Beatles, Stripes, Spotify, Business Locations: Houston

Search resuls for: "Cowboy Carter"

25 mentions found