Jon Batiste praises Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter”: “Abolish the genre machine”

Jon Batiste gives Beyoncé all her flowers.

The Grammy winner, who collaborated with Bey on her latest project “Cowboy Carter,” praised the “Break My Soul” singer for breaking down musical barriers and embracing a brand new sound.

On Saturday, Batiste shared his admiration on social media, highlighting how “Cowboy Carter” dismantles the “genre machine.” Beyoncé released a 27-song country-themed album on Friday to rave reviews. Just last month, Bey made history as the first Black woman to have her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” hit No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, based on Billboard.

“This is the moment when we dismantle the genre machine” – Batiste published in October (formerly Twitter). “Quincy Jones told me, and also wrote in his preview of my WE ARE album, “It’s up to you to decategorize American music!! ‘, that’s what Duke Ellington told him. I truly believe this is the role of our generation, led by several artists ready to make that leap.”

Batiste then shared how he produced and wrote the first track on the album “American Requiem” with Beyoncé and Dion “NO ID” Wilson. He called the song “an example of extraordinary alignment – when multiple top artists have a similar vision at the same time, that’s when you know a fundamental change is taking place.”

According to Batiste, “American Requiem” and the entire “Cowboy Carter” album represent “a new era that came a long time ago.” “Let’s free ourselves from genre and break down the barriers that marginalize who we are and the art we create.”

Batiste thanked the “once in a generation artist” for the opportunity to contribute to her “brilliant album.”

“I’m very happy that we were finally able to work together,” he said.

Batiste joins a formidable list of collaborators on the critically acclaimed album “Cowboy Carter,” including Linda Martell, Stevie Wonder, Chuck Berry, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Willie Jones, Brittney Spencer, Shaboozey, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy.

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“I think people will be surprised because I don’t think everyone is expecting this music,” Beyoncé said in a press release. “But it’s the best music I’ve ever made.”

It looks like fans will agree. According to data, “Cowboy Carter” broke the record for the most streamed album in a single day in 2024. Spotify.