Louder: Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ is here

Plus: Sean Combs raids, Kelly Moran, Lil Jon and more

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story March 30, 2024 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor Two major stories dueled for attention this week: the arrival of Beyoncé's new album, "Cowboy Carter," and raids on two of Sean Combs's homes by federal officers. Ahead of the LP's arrival, Jon Caramanica looked at the wider project Beyoncé has been engaged with since her 2018 Coachella headlining set: "Beyoncé has evolved from reliable hitmaker to reliable conversation starter, using her massive platform, and the fans who flock to it, to tell a parallel narrative about Black music present and past" and underscore how "Black creativity fuels all corners of popular music." Whether or not country radio accepts her is besides the point, Jon writes — but it remains a real-world question, one that Ben Sisario examined in a story looking at the enduring power of the format, which has long been inhospitable to women and Black artists, and the ways Beyoncé's album will test it. A rep from one station described the single "Texas Hold 'Em" as "extraordinarily average," and said, "If that was any other female artist, it wouldn't see the light of day." "Texas Hold 'Em," of course, was only the start — now that "Cowboy Carter" is here, revealing itself to be much more than country, the conversation has only just begun. Our review and more are on the way! On Monday, Homeland Security Investigations carried out raids on two of Combs's homes in Los Angeles and the Miami area, but did not provide details about the case. Ben and Julia Jacobs had all the breaking news, and a step back to examine how Combs's problems have been mounting since he quickly settled a lawsuit from Cassie in November, in which she accused him of rape and physical abuse. (He has denied the allegations). Julia further explained how the term "sex trafficking" comes into play here. This is getting long (it was a really busy week), but we also had lovely profiles from Grayson Haver Currin of the pianist Kelly Moran, whose new friendship with her ex-boyfriend's widow helped redirect her creative and personal lives, and the drummer Jim White, who is releasing his first solo album at 62. Ahead of Metro Boomin's likely return to No. 1 on Monday, Christopher R. Weingarten wrote a primer on his music. There was a Shakira pop-up show in Times Square (not easily executed!) and a pretty naked Sinead O'Connor tribute at City Winery. And Lil Jon popped by the Popcast (Deluxe) studio to chat with Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli, and taste test Girl Scout cookies. Matt Williams Critic's Notebook Will Country Welcome Beyoncé? That's the Wrong Question. "Cowboy Carter" is an extension of the pop superstar's exploration of how Black creativity fuels all corners of popular music. She's embracing the music, not the industry. By Jon Caramanica Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' Is Here, and It's Much More Than Country The superstar's new LP is a 27-track tour of popular music with a Beatles cover, cameos by Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton, and features from Miley Cyrus and Post Malone. By Ben Sisario Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' Adopts the Music of Opera Singers, Too On the star's new album, the track "Daughter" includes her take on an 18th-century Italian song most often heard in classical music recitals. By Joshua Barone Who's Who on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' A guide to key guests and behind-the-scenes figures on the star's eighth studio album. By Hank Shteamer Matt Williams Does Country Radio's Treehouse Have Room for Beyoncé? The pop superstar's new album, "Cowboy Carter," could be a litmus test for a format that's long been inhospitable to women and Black artists. By Ben Sisario THE AMPLIFIER NEWSLETTER Beyond Beyoncé: Black Women of Country, Past and Present Listen to songs from Rhiannon Giddens, Rissi Palmer, Linda Martell and more. By Lindsay Zoladz 10 Essential Joni Mitchell Songs Celebrate the artist's return to Spotify with tracks from last summer's "Joni Jam." By Lindsay Zoladz Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT SEAN COMBS Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Revolt Why Is Sean Combs the Subject of a Homeland Security Investigation? The department has a division that often directs inquiries into sex trafficking allegations, like those cited in recent lawsuits against Mr. Combs. By Julia Jacobs Jordan Strauss/Invision, via Associated Press Sean Combs Settled a Lawsuit, but His Troubles Were Just Beginning The hip-hop mogul denied sexual assault accusations in a bombshell suit in November. As more allegations piled up, his business empire, and reputation, faltered. By Ben Sisario and Julia Jacobs Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times When Sean Combs Was 'Living the American Dream' A restless ambition took him from hip-hop to the Met Gala, a reality show, a fashion label, a fragrance line and his own cable network. Then came the accusations and federal raids. By Jacob Bernstein and Vanessa Friedman Kathy Willens/Associated Press The Sean Combs Saga Is Catnip for Pop Culture Podcasts The raids of Combs's homes have been a primary topic on podcasts and radio shows that cover the Black entertainment world. By Emmanuel Morgan Federal Agents Raid Homes Tied to Sean Combs in Los Angeles and Miami In response to questions about Mr. Combs's residences, Homeland Security Investigations said the searches were part of "an ongoing investigation." By Ben Sisario, Julia Jacobs and William K. Rashbaum Sean Combs's Lawyer Says Rap Mogul Faced 'Unprecedented Ambush' A day after two of the entertainment executive's homes were raided by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations, his lawyer said his client is innocent. By Ben Sisario, Julia Jacobs and William K. Rashbaum Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE CRITICS Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images The Playlist Alice Coltrane's Explosive Carnegie Hall Concert, and 7 More New Songs Hear tracks by St. Vincent, Ani DiFranco, Camila Cabello and others. By Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Review: 'Tommy' Goes Full Tilt in a Relentless Broadway Revival Will the Who's rock opera about a traumatized boy hit the jackpot again? By Jesse Green FEATURES Shakira's Pop-Up Show: Not Something She Dreamed Up at Breakfast Months of preparation precede what can appear to be a sudden decision to entertain fans at a busy time in the heart of Times Square. By Colin Moynihan Seance? Celebration? A Risqué Tribute to Sinead O'Connor Arrives. The performance artist Christeene's show honoring the Irish musician's debut album touched down in New York with Peaches, Justin Vivian Bond and plenty of nudity and tears. By Melena Ryzik and Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV Metro Boomin Is Headed to No. 1 (Again). Here's a Guide to His Music. The producer has helped shape rap for the past decade, providing moody beats for Atlanta's biggest stars and beyond. His latest LP, with Future, arrived last week. By Christopher R. Weingarten Peter Fisher for The New York Times Jim White, Your Favorite Songwriter's Favorite Drummer During the last 30 years, the musician has emerged as one of indie-rock's most distinctive drummers on other people's records. At last, he's made his own. By Grayson Haver Currin Brian Karlsson for The New York Times The Encounter That Put the Pianist Kelly Moran on an Unexpected Path The 36-year-old musician helped introduce the prepared piano to fresh audiences. Amid personal upheaval, she abandoned it and found a new voice. By Grayson Haver Currin POPCAST Popcast Lil Jon: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview An in-depth interview with the Atlanta hip-hop and EDM legend, tracing his path through punk, skateboarding and crunk music on the way to this year's Super Bowl. 1 HR 47 MIN LISTEN Popcast The Justin Timberlake Conundrum His sixth solo album, "Everything I Thought It Was," has been met with critical dismissal and weaker sales. Where can the onetime pop superstar turn next? 1 HR 2 MIN LISTEN WORLD Charlotte Hadden for The New York Times A French-Malian Singer Is Caught in an Olympic Storm Aya Nakamura's music is one of France's top cultural exports. But reports that she might perform at the Paris Games have prompted fierce debates over identity and language. By Roger Cohen and Aurelien Breeden Alan Armstrong, via Eleanor Armstrong Estate Eleanor Collins, Canada's 'First Lady of Jazz,' Dies at 104 A singer known for her mastery of standards, she found stardom in Canada on TV and in nightclubs. But she was virtually unknown in the United States. By Clay Risen Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press, via Associated Press 'Punjabi Wave' Music Hits the Juno Awards Stage Karan Aujla, 27, became the first Punjabi artist to win an award at the Junos as the genre expands its fan base in Canada. By Vjosa Isai NEWS The Charts Ariana Grande Holds Off Kacey Musgraves for a Second Week at No. 1 "Everything I Thought It Was," Justin Timberlake's first new album since "Man of the Woods" six years ago, opens in fourth place. By Ben Sisario Nicole Scherzinger to Star in 'Sunset Boulevard' on Broadway in the Fall The revival, birthed in London, is a radically reimagined version of the 1993 Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on a 1950 Billy Wilder film. By Michael Paulson Piknik, a longtime Russian rock band, is now at the center of a tragedy. The group was set to play the first of two sold-out concerts when gunmen opened fire at Crocus City Hall. By Alex Marshall Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters and subscribe to The Amplifier here. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving Louder, unsubscribe. 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