Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ just made country music history — with help from an NC native

Evan Moore
·3 min read
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Beyoncé made history this week as the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart with her new single, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which featured instrumentals from an award-winning musician from North Carolina.

The banjo and viola on the track were played by Rhiannon Giddens, a North Carolina native who grew up in Greensboro.

“The beginning is a solo riff on my minstrel banjo — and my only hope is that it might lead a few more intrepid folks into the exciting history of the banjo,” Giddens posted on Facebook last week. “I used to say many times as soon as Beyoncé puts the banjo on a track my job is done. Well, I didn’t expect the banjo to be mine, and I know darn well my job isn’t done, but today is a pretty good day.”

Here’s what to know about Rhiannon Giddens.

Giddens is a highly-acclaimed musician

Giddens won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in May 2023 for co-writing “Omar,” an opera about the journey of an enslaved man in the South, The News & Observer reported — but that wasn’t the first time she received a major accolade.

Rhiannon Giddens in concert at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh in 2017. Giddens won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for co-writing “Omar.” Scott Sharpe/ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Rhiannon Giddens in concert at the N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh in 2017. Giddens won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for co-writing “Omar.” Scott Sharpe/ssharpe@newsobserver.com

In 2017, Giddens was announced as a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant,” a prestigious award given to those with exceptional creativity. The award came with a $625,000 prize, The N&O reported.

Giddens won a Grammy Award in 2011 with her group the Carolina Chocolate Drops, as well as the 2016 Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass (which came with a $50,000 award), The N&O reported. In 2017, she had a recurring role on the CMT drama “Nashville.”

That same year, the singer, known for her social activism, delivered a keynote speech on diversity at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual conference in Raleigh.

Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens plays the banjo and viola on Beyoncé’s new song, “Texas Hold ’Em.” The Greensboro, NC, native is considered an icon in folk music and has dedicated her work to honoring unsung heroes in American musical history. Ebru Yildiz
Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens plays the banjo and viola on Beyoncé’s new song, “Texas Hold ’Em.” The Greensboro, NC, native is considered an icon in folk music and has dedicated her work to honoring unsung heroes in American musical history. Ebru Yildiz

Social media response

Though she was introduced to many Beyoncé fans for the first time through “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Giddens’ longtime supporters said she was finally getting the attention she deserves.

“I hope Beyoncé’s country album has the same positive impact on country music that Ray Charles’ did 60 years ago, but more than anything I’m excited for Rhiannon Giddens,” X user Tom Kennedy posted. “Hopefully her presence on this album will gain her the attention she’s long deserved.”

You can learn more about Giddens by visiting her website, rhiannongiddens.com.