In an electrifying Super Bowl commercial for Verizon, Beyoncé has announced her eagerly awaited new album, ‘Act II’, and released two groundbreaking singles from the album. The commercial, which aimed to test the limits of Verizon’s internet service through a series of “firsts”, concluded with Beyoncé’s compelling declaration: “Drop the new music.” This was followed by a post on her Instagram, featuring a video of the star driving a taxi with a license plate reading “Texas HOLD’EM”, accompanied by a yodelling tune. The video showcased local people gathering around a billboard that displayed an illustration of Beyoncé and echoed the words on her license plate, signaling the imminent arrival of new music.
The two singles released, ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ and ’16 Carriages’, showcase a new direction for Beyoncé’s music, incorporating banjo rhythms and a serene, mellow tempo, respectively. ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ brings a fresh, country-infused sound, while ’16 Carriages’ delivers introspective lyrics that celebrate art and creation: “I got art to make / I got love to create.” These releases have fueled speculation among fans and critics alike that Beyoncé might be exploring a country genre with her upcoming album.
‘Act II’ is slated for release on March 29, and anticipation is building for what promises to be another milestone in Beyoncé’s illustrious career. This announcement was just one highlight of an eventful Super Bowl, which also featured Post Malone opening the game with a special acoustic performance, and Usher headlining the halftime show with appearances by Alicia Keys, H.E.R., will.i.am, Lil Jon, and Ludacris.
In attendance at the Super Bowl was Taylor Swift, who was there to support her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The game concluded with the Kansas City Chiefs claiming their second consecutive Super Bowl win in a thrilling 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, after the game went into overtime.
The Super Bowl also served as a platform for premiering trailers and teasers for highly anticipated films, including a teaser for ‘Deadpool 3’ featuring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, a trailer for ‘Wicked: Part One’ showcasing Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and a glimpse into the sequel of 1996’s ‘Twister’, titled ‘Twisters’.
Beyoncé’s announcement of ‘Act II’ and the release of two new singles have set the stage for what is sure to be one of the year’s most significant musical events. As fans eagerly await the album’s release, the new singles hint at an evolving sound for the superstar, promising a blend of introspection, innovation, and perhaps a touch of country flair.
