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Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter” consists of contributions from big names like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.
But she recently revealed how one Motown legend also offered their talents to the project.
On Monday night, the singer was presented with the Innovator Award during the iHeart Radio Music Awards in Los Angeles by Stevie Wonder.
“Thank you so much Stevie, I love you. I love you and I honor you. I want to thank you for making a way for all of us,” she gushed about the honor. “I’m honored to receive this recognition from you, Stevie Wonder. Whenever anyone asks me if there’s anyone I can listen to for the rest of my life, it’s always you. So thank you, God bless you.”
Wonder then reciprocated the kind words.
“I want to thank you for motivating the world to be a better place,” he said.
Then the superstar revealed how Wonder contributed to her album.
“Thank you for playing the harmonica on ‘Jolene,’” she revealed.
Queen Bey’s latest project contains a cover of the Dolly Parton classic but with a fierce twist.
“Cowboy Carter” was released on March 29 and has broken streaming records.
Spotify revealed the album was the most-streamed album in a single day so far this year.
Amazon Music said the project was the biggest album debut on the platform “with the most first-day global streams of all her albums, and the most first-day streams for a country album by a female artist.”
Queen Bey opened up that the country-inspired album was developed after an experience where she did not “feel welcomed” and she explained, “It was very clear that I wasn’t.”
Many will remember the backlash the singer received when she performed her song “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, at the Country Music Awards in 2016.
Fast forward to Monday night, the “16 Carriages” singer subtly revealed how becoming an innovator means turning lemons into “Lemonade.”
“Innovation starts with a dream, and the road to execute that dream can be very bumpy. Being an innovator is doing what everyone believes is impossible,” she said. “Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you.”
She continued her speech by calling out those in the industry who seemingly box artists into one genre.
“To all the record labels, every radio station, every award show, my hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions. I want to dedicate this award to all the innovators who have dedicated their lives and their art to creating shifts. Thank you for your sacrifice and your powerful forces and your dauntless spirit.”
From there she acknowledged and thanked fellow innovators who paved the way for her.
“Thank you to Rosetta Tharpe, Miss Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Andre 3000, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson—and so many more who defied any label placed upon them. Thank you for executing your dream so we could all follow.”
Last but not least, she thanked her team at Parkwood Entertainment, her own company, and her husband Jay-Z and their three children.
“You all work so hard, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she gushed about her team. “(Thank you to) my husband, my rock, my best friend, I love you. (Thank you to) my three beautiful children who continue to be my inspiration and my biggest blessing.”
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