Darius Rucker Reveals His Thoughts On Beyoncé’s Country Album

Beyoncé has gone country, and Hootie & The Blowfish band member Darius Rucker is sharing his thoughts on her new album.

Before his country music career, Rucker was the lead vocalist and guitarist for the rock band, known for hits like 'Hold My Hand' and 'Only Wanna Be with You.' In 2008, he went country, and as someone who has switched genres before, he now gives insight into Beyoncé's transition.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the supporters of 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages'. I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you," she said in an Instagram post before releasing the full album.

The album features collaborations with country music icons such as Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. It has taken over the music world, breaking records ever since its release. "My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant," the artist added.

While some have bashed the 'Single Ladies' singer for going country, Darius Rucker has given her his stamp of approval.

“I’m happy for her. I’m happy for the genre,” the 57-year-old told Us Weekly. “The eyes that she brought to country music went up, and that’s always a good thing when you have more people watching country music.”

He added, “I hope what she’s done translate[s] even more than it already has to more people of color getting a shot at country music.”

Like Beyoncé, Darius Rucker has broken records for the Black community in country music, becoming the first Black American to win New Artist of the Year at the Country Music Awards and only the second Black person ever to win a Country Music Award.

Darius Rucker isn't the only country artist to have spoken out about Beyoncé's new album. Dolly Parton, whose song 'Jolene' is covered by Beyoncé on the album, previously said she is "fantastic and beautiful" and says she "love[s] her music.”

Miley Cyrus, Parton's goddaughter, also spoke out. “I’ve loved Beyoncé since long before I had the opportunity to meet and work with her,” Cyrus said. My admiration runs so much deeper now that I’ve created alongside of her. Thank you, Beyoncé. You’re everything and more.”

While it may seem like a shock to many, the former Destiny's Child member said this is something she has worked on for years.

"This album has been over five years in the making," she admitted. "It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive."

The 'Crazy In Love' artist added, "It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history."

The 'Wagon Wheel' singer is currently promoting his new memoir, 'Life's Too Short,' which will be released on May 28, 2024.

"If I look back at my life and try to see into my past, everything seems blurry," Rucker told PEOPLE when first announcing the project. "But then I lean in and start to hear something. Melodies. Chords. Harmonies. Lyrics."

Rucker's memoir will reveal some of his biggest musical influences, including Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, R.E.M., KISS, Prince, and more.

"This book is the story of my life as told through 23 songs that took me away, soaring, starting at ground level, living in a poor but happy home, never wanting for much more, enjoying what I had, even when times got tough, because I had my escape, my refuge, my music," Rucker added.