“WOW! This is soooo NICE. One of the nicest things EVER”:Beyoncé sends flowers to Black female country artists as Cowboy Carter ropes in millions of listeners-HO

“Thank you for opening doors for me,” she wrote to singers Mickey Guyton and K. Michelle.

Beyoncé’s gratitude for the women who came before her took the form of lush floral bouquets this weekend as she released her eighth studio album.

Cowboy Carter, Bey’s foray into country music, dropped on Friday to acclaim, controversy, and constant replays on steaming services worldwide. But in the middle of the frenzy, the 42-year-old Grammy winner made sure to acknowledge the Black female country artists who helped pave the way.

K. Michelle and Mickey Guyton each received a glorious flower arrangement and a personalized note from the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer.

“Thank you for opening doors for me, queen,” Beyoncé’s message to Guyton read. “Keep shining. Love and respect, Beyoncé.”

Country star Mickey Guyton.

Guyton, the first Black female solo artist to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category, shared photos of the flowers and a message on Instagram, writing, “With opportunity comes possibility. The possibilities are endless with you, @Beyonce. God gave me an assignment and I followed. May the doors continue to stay wide open.”

In 2021, Guyton performed her single “Black Like Me” at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards ceremony. The song, from her studio album Remember Her Name, was nominated for Best Solo Country Performance (the award went to “When My Amy Prays” by Vince Gill). The 40-year-old musician snagged a nomination in the category again the following year, with “Remember Her Name” (it lost out to Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave”).

Singer and former reality TV star K. Michelle also hit Instagram to share pics of her flowers and card from Beyoncé, who wrote, “You’re killing it! I love what you’ve been doing and I know it’s not easy to enter a new space. Sending you positivity and respect. I hope to meet you one day. Love, Beyoncé.”

Michelle, who is 42, began her music career as an R&B artist and a member of the Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta cast before transitioning to country, which she performs under the stage name Puddin.

Country singer K. Michelle, a.k.a. Puddin.

“WOW! This is soooo nice. One of the nicest things EVER. I’m in tears,” Michelle wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m so nervous about FINALLY getting to put out my first country album, and this just fueled the fire 🔥. I’m so motivated.”

Michelle debuted her inaugural solo country single, “Tennessee,” in 2023, signaling the imminent arrival of a full album.

Just as Beyoncé encountered challenges upon entering the country music arena, Guyton and Michelle share similar experiences of negativity.

Following the unexpected release of the “Cowboy Carter” tracks “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” post-Super Bowl, country radio stations initially hesitated to embrace Beyoncé’s foray into the genre.

Radio personality Bobby Bones took a stand against naysayers, providing a historical perspective on the genre’s roots, emphasizing its African and European influences.

Guyton has been candid about her struggles to gain acceptance in the predominantly white and male realm of country radio. When rumors of a rivalry between Michelle and Beyoncé surfaced, Michelle took to Twitter to express her support for Beyoncé and her own gratitude for recognition within her genre.

“Cowboy Carter” boasts an extensive lineup of collaborators, from established stars like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson to emerging talents such as Tanner Adell and Brittney Spencer. The album even features a cameo by Rumi Carter, the 6-year-old daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, on the track “Protector.”

In a nod to country music history, “Cowboy Carter” pays homage to Linda Martell, the pioneering Black female artist who achieved commercial success with her 1969 hit “Color Him Father.” Martell, now 82, contributes to the album’s tracks “Spaghetti” and “The Linda Martell Show,” honoring her groundbreaking legacy.

Less than 24 hours after Cowboy Carter hit streaming services, it has already become Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day this year, with “Texas Hold ‘Em” alone racking up more than 200 million listens.