President Biden Signs Legislation Banning TikTok
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
TikTok, the clock is ticking on the popular social media app’s existence in the United States. President Joe Biden signed a bill on Wednesday approving the ban of TikTok, adding significant pressure on the platform to find a new owner.
The legislation, part of a broader foreign aid package supporting Israel and Ukraine, passed the House with a decisive 352-65 vote last week and received Senate approval on Tuesday. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act is the most severe threat to TikTok since U.S. officials first raised concerns in 2020.
Under the new law, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has 270 days to sell TikTok to a non-Chinese entity. Failure to comply would result in TikTok’s removal from U.S. app stores and restrictions on “internet hosting services” supporting the platform, limiting its accessibility to new users and interactions with its content.
Biden set the sale deadline for January 19, 2025, with an option to extend it by another 90 days if progress is made toward a sale. This could grant TikTok up to a year before facing a ban.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew responded defiantly to the legislation, assuring users in a video message, “Rest assured: we aren’t going anywhere.” Chew stated, “We are confident and will keep fighting for your rights in the courts. The facts and the Constitution are on our side, and we expect to prevail.”
TikTok spokespersons criticized the law as “unconstitutional,” warning of its devastating impact on the platform’s 170 million U.S. users and 7 million businesses operating on the app.
The bill’s proponents argue that it addresses genuine national security concerns. It would allow the president, with intelligence agency input, to designate social media applications controlled by foreign adversaries as national security threats. These designated apps would then face bans unless they severed ties with foreign entities.
Despite bipartisan support for the bill, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) describing Communist China as America’s most significant geopolitical foe using technology to undermine the U.S. economy and security, it faced notable opposition: fifty Democrats and 15 Republicans, including Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) voted against it.
Critics raised concerns over potential infringements on free speech and adverse impacts on small businesses. TikTok’s broad demographic reach was highlighted, with over 834 million global users, including 135 million in the U.S., predominantly under 20.
The legislation’s opponents, including TikTok, argue that it risks curtailing First Amendment rights and harming thousands of minority-owned small businesses reliant on the platform. The company has launched an aggressive lobbying campaign to combat the proposed legislation.
Paul Tran, co-owner of a skincare company that attributes much of its success to TikTok, said, “You will be destroying small businesses like us; this is our livelihood.” He cautioned lawmakers against undermining the American Dream cherished by many.
Milwaukee Record celebrates 10 years of “music, culture, gentle sarcasm”
Milwaukee Record—an independently owned and operated arts and entertainment publication founded by journalists Matt Wild and Tyler Maas in 2014—celebrated its 10th anniversary on April 7, 2024. That day was also declared to be “Milwaukee Record Day” throughout the city, thanks to an official Proclamation issued by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Milwaukee Record is using its decade milestone as a way to bring renewed attention to its body of work—that’s rooted in music, culture, and “gentle sarcasm”—and as the basis of introducing some new creations that will keep the business growing for years to come. “The Year Of Milwaukee Record” features a partnership with Anodyne Coffee Roasters on a co-created Milwaukee Record Blend. There’s also a specialty Milwaukee Record brandy made by Great Lakes Distillery that’s due to hit shelves in October, and a 10th anniversary concert coming to Vivarium before year’s end (more info TBA).
Those events and releases help to bolster Milwaukee Record’s already abundant offsite reach that includes monthly movie screenings at Avalon Theater, the long-running Milwaukee Record Halftime Show concert series, the widely popular N/A Day “Dry January” beverage festivals in both Milwaukee and Madison, its annual Roast Of Milwaukee comedy showcase, the Casserole Call charity hot dish bake off, the Milwaukee Record Stage at Bay View Bash, and a steady presence at many of the region’s festivals. Maas, Wild, and a growing cast of contributors manage to cover a lot of ground for a publication its size in the Milwaukee media market.
“Live events and affiliated local products have gradually become major parts of Milwaukee Record’s identity,” says co-founder and co-editor Tyler Maas. “It’s been amazing to be able to reach new people in a variety of fun ways by creating unique, original in-person experiences that add to the fabric of the community and give more opportunities to area artists and retailers in the process.”
While Milwaukee Record anticipates it will produce more than 60 events over the course of this year, its written work remains paramount. The site will post its 11,000th article this spring. Since day one, the publication has remained a steadfast champion of all things Milwaukee through its coverage of music, arts, dining, and a wide variety of other local points of interest. Milwaukee has come a long way since 2014, and Milwaukee Record has documented that ongoing transformation while serving as a local archive, a regional resource, and a trusted (and, at times, unconventional) news outlet for an ever-changing city on the rise.
“Tyler and I, along with a talented cast of contributors, have spent the last 10 years filling the digital pages of Milwaukee Record with a heady and sometimes confounding mix of news, coverage, commentary, and crucial minute-by-minute recaps of celebrity vodka signings, all scored to the beat of Milwaukee music,” says co-founder and co-editor Matt Wild. “For the next 10 years, we intend to simply do more: more music, more coverage, more writers, more viewpoints, and hopefully more vodka signings.”
As Milwaukee Record enters its second decade of existence, it’s not looking to take over the world or shake up the media landscape. The site just wants to keep building on what it’s been doing for 10 years (and counting): highlighting and celebrating all things Milwaukee.
How freelancers and gig workers can prepare for changing tax requirements
Beginning next year, freelancers and small businesses will need to report third-party app payments totaling $5,000 to tax authorities
NEW YORK (AP) — Workers across different industries are increasingly receiving some or all of their income via apps.
They include tutors, graphic designers, hair stylists, and all kinds of independent and self-employed workers, along with merchants who sell products online through Etsy, eBay, Amazon and other sites. But tax law is still catching up when it comes to how best to report this income.
If you’re a freelancer or gig worker who receives payments via apps like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App or PayPal, your tax reporting requirements will change for the 2024 tax year.
The law will not affect the amount of taxes owed, but it will change how you report income with 1099-K forms.
The changes were supposed to take effect for the 2023 tax year, but they have been delayed. The tax filing deadline is April 15.
For the current tax year, freelancers and small business owners still only need to use 1099-K forms to report third-party app payments totaling $20,000, and any number of payments above 200. But beginning next year, that threshold will be just $5,000, which will eventually be lowered to $600.
The changes were supposed to take effect for the 2023 tax year, but they have been delayed.
Some in the space say the new law will benefit both freelancers and the IRS by improving information gathering, especially for people who are self-employed and merchants who sell online.
Freelancers, gig workers and online sellers owe taxes on their income regardless of whether they meet the reporting threshold to use 1099-K forms, but it can be difficult to keep track of every payment, especially across sites and apps. This can lead to confusion and underpayment, experts say.
The eventual change will affect platforms, businesses, and individuals, and it’s good to begin preparing now. Here’s what you need to know:
What should I do to get ready for the new 1099-K reporting threshold?
If you’re already keeping accurate track of your income from freelancing as paid via Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal, and other sites, you’re in good shape. The main difference will be that these platforms will issue you additional forms for every transaction. This should make correct reporting to the IRS even easier, though there will be more paperwork.
Currently, if someone paying a freelancer via Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp sends a form to the IRS reporting that pay, but the freelancer doesn’t report the income with the same form, that creates a “matching error” for the agency. The change will ensure both that taxpayers receive proper refunds and that the IRS receives proper payment.
What if I mistakenly receive a 1099-K form?
In some cases, in part due to the changing guidance, platforms may send taxpayers 1099-K Forms in error this year — such as for transactions between family and friends or for expense sharing between roommates, according to the IRS.
The first thing to do is try to get an updated form by contacting the company that issued the form incorrectly. If you can’t get one in a timely manner, the IRS says to zero out the income on your tax return with the description “Form 1099-K Received in Error.” The line appears on Form 1040 – Additional Income and Adjustments to Income. There, you should write, as follows: “Part I – Line 8z – Other Income – Form 1099-K Received in Error.”
Why did the IRS delay implementing the change for a second year in a row?
The change, which had been set to take effect this year, was delayed again in November. The IRS decided to give taxpayers another year to adjust to the new reporting requirements.
“Taking this phased-in approach is the right thing to do for the purposes of tax administration, and it prevents unnecessary confusion,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in November.
“It’s clear that an additional delay for tax year 2023 will avoid problems for taxpayers, tax professionals and others in this area.”
What advice and guidance does the IRS have for freelancers?
The IRS has an online Gig Economy Tax Center that focuses specifically on the tax questions and needs of freelancers and other workers in the informal economy. The site addresses common concerns and pitfalls.
What if I make a mistake reporting income on 1099-K forms?
The IRS will be in touch if they see discrepancies between income reported on 1099-K forms by taxpayers and companies issuing the forms, both this year and next. It’s important to keep in mind that income from all platforms, including things like YouTube ads and Patreon subscriptions, must be reported in this way.
One way to make sure all income is accurately captured is to be sure to transfer all payments from your PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App accounts to a traditional bank account, rather than keeping it on third-party platforms.
Op-Ed: Why MAGA Policies Are Detrimental to Black Communities
Ron Reynolds, Texas State Representative
As a representative deeply invested in the well-being of my constituents, I feel compelled to shed light on the harmful impact of the MAGA agenda. While its proponents claim to champion America’s greatness, the reality is far from uplifting, especially for Black Americans.
Let’s be clear: Make America Great Again (MAGA) is not a call for progress; it’s a thinly veiled attempt to turn back the clock on the hard-fought gains of marginalized communities, including Black Americans. From voting rights to healthcare to economic opportunity, the policies espoused under the guise of MAGA pose a direct threat to the advancements we’ve made in the pursuit of equality and justice.
Take voting rights, for example. MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. The purpose of restrictive voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and limiting early voting hours is to silence marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege.
Healthcare is another area where the MAGA agenda falls short for Black Americans. The relentless attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) threaten to strip millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, of access to affordable healthcare. For Black Americans who already face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, the repeal of the ACA would be nothing short of disastrous.
And let’s not forget about economic opportunity. While MAGA proponents tout a booming economy, the reality is that Black Americans continue to face disproportionately high rates of unemployment, poverty, and wage stagnation. The tax cuts and deregulation championed by the MAGA agenda only exacerbate these disparities, further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
The most insidious message of MAGA is the underlying idea that America was somehow greater in the past—a past marred by slavery, white supremacy, segregation, and systemic racism. For Black Americans, the nostalgia of MAGA is not just misguided; it’s deeply offensive. It ignores the struggles and sacrifices of generations past who fought tirelessly for civil rights and equality.
As a nation, we cannot afford to romanticize an era of oppression and inequality. We must instead confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where every American, regardless of race or background, can thrive. That means rejecting the divisive rhetoric of MAGA and embracing policies that promote justice, equality, and inclusion for all.
So, to my fellow Black Americans, I urge you to see through the empty promises of MAGA and recognize it for what it truly is: a dangerous regression that threatens to undo the progress we’ve made. Let’s unite in opposition to hate, white supremacy, and division and strive toward a future where all citizens can experience the full potential of America.
Federal Government Providing Nearly $80 million to Combat Violent Crime in U.S.
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has announced a multifaceted strategy to bolster law enforcement and community-based initiatives to combat violent crime in America. Speaking at a conference for federal grantees in Chicago, Garland highlighted the need to double down on recent progress and stem the tide of violence gripping many American cities.
Garland noted the recent significant drop in homicides, hailing it as the largest one-year drop in half a century. He pointed to Chicago’s 13% decrease in violent crime as a tangible example of the positive impact of targeted interventions. The Attorney General credited much of the progress to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which empowered federal prosecutors to crack down on gun trafficking and straw purchasing while allocating $250 million in grants for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
Of the funding, Garland announced the immediate availability of $78 million to be distributed to organizations actively engaged in reducing violent crime and fostering community trust. He emphasized that these funds would directly support grassroots efforts to address the root causes of violence and promote safer neighborhoods nationwide.
In November, the DOJ announced nearly $217 million in funding to hire 1,730 entry-level officers at 394 agencies in 48 states through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services hiring program.
Meanwhile, officials said violent crime decreased across some of the nation’s biggest cities last year. According to federal numbers, Philadelphia, and Baltimore each saw 20% reductions in homicides between 2022 and 2023. In his recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden highlighted that the nation reported historically low murder rates in 2023, with violent crime dropping to one of the lowest levels in 50 years.
According to a Forbes magazine study, South Carolina ranks eighth among the most dangerous states in America, with a crime rate of 4.91 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. However, an annual report by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division found that overall violent crime dropped by 2.6% from 2021 to 2022, including a 12% decrease in homicides.
Crime in New York City’s transit system has increased by roughly 7% in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The rise includes a series of recent violent attacks and shootings, leading New York Governor Kathy Hochul to deploy the National Guard to the subway system this month.
For Black Americans nationwide, particularly young men, the risk of becoming victims of violent crime remains disproportionately high. While Blacks make up 14% of the U.S. population, they account for 60% of those killed by firearm homicides annually, according to an analysis published by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Hate crimes are also on the rise across the country, according to a report from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The report, titled “Faith Under Fire” and published in January, found that hate crimes increased by 11% in 2023 from 2022, with antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes soaring following the Israel-Hamas war.
The FBI’s quarterly uniform crime report indicates a widespread decrease in violent crime during 2023 compared to the previous year, as well as a 13% decline in homicides relative to 2022. The Major Cities Police Association’s Violent Crime Survey found double-digit declines in homicides across nearly 70 of America’s largest cities in 2023 compared to 2022.
However, while cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia saw homicides decline by 12% to 21%, others experienced sharp increases in slayings in 2023. Homicides rose by 24% in Memphis, 27% in Washington, D.C., 15% in Dallas, and 14% in Kansas City.
According to NYPD crime statistics, violent crime in New York City is continuing to fall in 2024. Through March 17, data show homicides are down by 19% from the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, according to NYPD data, violent crime in New York City housing developments fell by 3.2% in 2023 from the previous year.
In addition to the investments, Garland unveiled plans to deploy federal resources and prosecutors to cities disproportionately affected by violent crime, including St. Louis, Missouri; Jackson, Mississippi; and Hartford, Connecticut. He said the targeted deployments aim to support local law enforcement agencies and enhance collaboration in tackling crime hotspots.
The announcement follows similar interventions in cities like Houston, Memphis, and Washington, D.C., where a surge in violent crime, particularly carjackings and armed robberies, has sparked concern from Mayor Muriel Bowser, city leaders, and citizens. Garland reiterated that while progress has been made, there is no room for complacency, as he stressed the need for sustained focus and vigilance in the fight against violent crime.
“The Justice Department is committed to continuing to make historic investments in community violence intervention,” Garland declared. “Violent crime isolates people and their communities. It deepens the fractures in our public life. When it is not addressed, it can undermine people’s trust in government and in each other.”
Milwaukee Repertory Theater Presents, ‘Nina Simone: Four Women’ now until May 12, at the Quadracci Powerhouse
The final production of Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s 70th Anniversary Season is ‘Nina Simone: Four Women,’ being staged now until May 12, in the Quadracci Powerhouse.
Written by Christina Ham and directed by Milwaukee native Malkia Stampley, Nina Simone: Four Women is a play with music that Broadway World calls “Entertaining, enlightening, and educational…a stirring portrait of a tortured artist yearning to have her voice heard.”
The creator of some of our nation’s most powerful Civil Rights anthems, Nina Simone shook the world with her music.
After the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Simone’s tribute song “Four Women” transformed her from gifted pianist to trailblazing activist, charting a new course as an agent of change and
Nina Simone: Four Women is a play with music that shines a light on how she found her true calling and gave voice to a movement through impactful and inspirational songs like “Everything Must Change,” “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” and “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”
Nina Simone: Four Women will be the last play to be performed on the Quadracci Powerhouse stage before Milwaukee Rep breaks ground on the new Associated Bank Theater Center. To honor the historic moment, playwright Christina Ham will attend opening night to celebrate the bright future of the American theater. Her play was programmed as the 2023/24 Season finale because it speaks to the present moment and honors the past, while broadening the horizons of Milwaukee’s richly diverse community.
Nina Simone: Four Women cast features Alexis J Roston (First Lady of Song, Milwaukee Rep) as Nina Simone, Matthew Harris (Dreamgirls, New Theatre) as Sam, Gabrielle Lott-Rogers (Spitfire Grill, American Blues Theater) as Sarah, Brittney Mack (SIX, Original Broadway Cast) as Sweet Thing, and Milwaukee native Toni Martin, who first performed at Milwaukee Rep as a child in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone in the 1993/94 Season followed by joining the theater as an Emerging Professional Resident in 2012, as Sephronia.
Nina Simone: Four Women is directed and co-music directed by Malkia Stampley (Nunsense, Milwaukee Rep) with co-music direction and arrangements by Pamela Baskin-Watson, set design by Shaun L. Motley (Fences, American Players Theatre), costume design by Yvonne L. Miranda (Seven Guitars, Milwaukee Rep), lighting design by Jason Lynch (Choir Boy, Steppenwolf Theatre), sound design by Sartje Pickett
(Love’s Labour’s Lost, American Players Theatre), wig design by David Zimmerman, choreography by Marc Wayne, with casting by Jonathan Hetler, Kansas City Casting by Andi Meyer and stage managed by Jordan-Canon Kruis.
Nina Simone: Four Women is presented by Ellen and Joe Checota with corporate sponsor We Energies Foundation, Executive Producers Susan and Thomas Quadracci, Judy Van Till and Associate Producers Rania and Pat Dempsey. It is a co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre.
Nina Simone: Four Women tickets are available for purchase online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by calling the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or in-person at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee.
For more information visit www.Milwaukeerep.com.
Football great O.J. Simpson, the U.S. ‘injustice system’ and Karma!
I remember it as if it was yesterday. Football great O.J. Simpson’s death last week brought back images of his acquittal for murdering his ‘White’ wife.
Then MCJ Managing Editor Tom Mitchell and I were listening to the radio in the production room when the verdict in the Simpson murder trial was rendered.
We both held our breath and as soon as the ‘not guilty’ verdict was announced, we let out uniformed cries of relief—or maybe joy.
Naw, that doesn’t really describe it. A slap in the face to America’s Injustice system?
Karma? Yeah, that best summed it up.
But the verdict drew 100 million television viewers, 90% White and pissed off!
To say White people were angry would be an understatement, and to be honest, their wrath brought sarcastic smiles to Black faces.
(White America) knew how we feel when the rich get off, while Black people get the electric chair for looking at White women, even though they were in a coma in another state when the crime was committed.
We masked that orgasmic reaction we had to the O.J. verdict and dealt with the racial aspect as a medicating defense tactic in the trial.
A racist cop, a glove that didn’t fit, and a legal team that propelled a Black attorney to national stardom. It was enough to appease the curious.
In contrast, local and national White/Majority/Mainstream media let lose a barrage of disbelief and anger that was akin to their reporting (if there was a CNN in the 19th century) of Nat Turner being exonerated for his righteous slave revolt.
Three days after the verdict was handed down, the proverbial ‘other shoe dropped’ when I showed up for the weekly taping of ‘Sunday Insight on Charles Sykes’ television show.
All eyes were on me in the ‘green room’ before taping. Not only was I the only representative for the entire race of Black people—hmmm—but the only person in the room who saw O.J.’s acquittal through the prism of racial kismet: ‘what goes around, comes around!’
Charlie was shocked by my justification. He wasn’t mad, just confused. He and millions of White Milwaukeeans, Wisconsonites, and Americans were scratching their heads and asking themselves: ‘How and why was Black America applauding (in White minds) the ‘WRONG’ verdict’?
I tried to explain before and during the taping. But as the only brotha on the weekly panel I became a moving target for White people in Milwaukee for having and expressing a different perspective.
(As a matter of fact, I recall the time when two of our staffers had gone to a nearby emergency room after one of them had sprained their ankle on the same day of the verdict.
What was caring, empathetic and prompt service from the ER staff, quickly turned into anger and ‘un-care’ as the words ‘not guilty’ echoed throughout the facility.)
I recall several heated emails and hate letters following the show.
And an angry White man called and asked me to meet him on the south side.
Nope. I knew better than to cross Milwaukee’s ‘Mason-Dixon line’ to meet some angry White dude. I only venture across ‘the line’ when I go to the airport or go to Chicago.
Decades later, my feelings are the same; I still laugh at how White America reacted to a black man (small b) murdering a White woman (capital W) and getting away with it because he could afford to do what White people do and have done for over 200 years: hire the best defense team money can buy.
And that’s why White Americans reacted the way they did: a celebrity black man (small b) crossing the invisible line…the line of privilege (‘white privilege, to be exact).
Today, it’s expected. Back then, it was a rarity.
What is most remarkable about this support for O.J. (if you wanna call it that), is that most of us in the Black community “DIDN’T CONSIDER ‘THE JUICE’ TO BE A BROTHA!”
Many called him a ‘Tom,’ caught up in a fantasy world, dissing a beautiful Black queen (his first wife) for a White woman.
If O.J. Simpson, the football great, had killed his Black wife in a jealous rage, it would have been buried on page five of many American newspapers (nothing new in the eyes of White folks generally).
Intead, we’re reliving hhis trial decades later, igniting the fire of the ‘injustice system.’
Goodbye O.J. Too bad you couldn’t bury America’s racial ‘injustice system’ with you.
Hotep
First Quarter Crime Statistics
Over the past few weeks there have been several domestic related shootings and homicides all over the Milwaukee area. Some have been the usual man/woman relationships. But some have included children, and one involved a subject shooting and killing his grandfather. Experts state there is no reason for these crimes to increase during various parts of the year. Many increases during the sweltering summer months but can really occur almost anytime. Check on loved ones and friends and ask them to get help if you suspect there are issues in their relationships.
The City of Milwaukee crime stats for the first quarter of the year came out today and there was a pleasant surprise. Homicides and other crimes continue to drop in Milwaukee. The Chief of Police and Mayor held a news conference to discuss the state of crime in the city. Homicides are down 39% compared to 2023: 2024-23 and 2023-38. Both leaders credit the public for helping with these stats. In addition to homicides, robberies and auto thefts are also down. Chief Norman states,” overall the year is off to a positive start.” Robberies down 14% and auto theft 10%. The Chief continues, “MPD cannot take credit when crime goes down nor all the blame when crime goes up.” “As with all success it takes a community.”
Parents keeping an eye on their kids is really one thing that is helping with crime according to both the Chief and Mayor. The mayor stated, “knowing where your kids are and holding them to account is helpful.” He continues, “making sure your kids are engaged in positive behaviors especially during the summer months is important.” Citizens also help by reporting crime, working with neighborhood block watches, and working with safety organizations around the city. Although the crime rate is lower both men state there is still much work to be done. Every homicide stat is someone’s loved one.
We as citizens need to continue to step up to the plate and do our part. Continue to call the police when you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood. You do not have to leave your name and can be anonymous if you like. Turn on your porch lights at night so these bad actors cannot hide in the darkness. Be aware of your surroundings and always look out around you. Do not walk with your face in that phone. Criminals are always looking for an advantage so let us not give them one. We can have a safer neighborhood and city if we all do our part.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Gallops to No. 1, Making History on Billboard 200 Music Chart
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
Beyoncé has once again proven her dominance in the music industry as her latest album, “Cowboy Carter,” rides triumphantly to the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Released on March 29, the album’s debut at No. 1 marks a stellar achievement for the superstar and stands as the highest-selling album of 2024 thus far.
With an impressive 407,000 equivalent album units, “Cowboy Carter” secures Beyoncé’s eighth chart-topping album, solidifying her status as a musical powerhouse. Fans and critics alike said the remarkable feat reflects her artistry’s enduring appeal and influence.
With her latest achievement, Beyoncé becomes the first Black woman to debut at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, highlighting her groundbreaking impact across genres and the album’s wide-ranging appeal that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Streaming counted as pivotal in “Cowboy Carter’s” triumph, with 232,000 units attributed to streaming equivalent albums. This marks Beyoncé’s most significant streaming week ever, demonstrating her ability to captivate audiences across digital platforms.
In addition to digital success, the impact of “Cowboy Carter” is felt in physical sales, with traditional album sales totaling 168,000 units. The album’s limited edition vinyl releases also made a significant mark, selling 62,000 copies and claiming the title of the best-selling vinyl album of 2024, a testament to the enduring appeal of physical music.
Beyoncé’s chart-topping prowess extends beyond “Cowboy Carter.” She surpasses Janet Jackson to claim the fourth-most No. 1 albums among women on the Billboard 200, placing her alongside icons such as Madonna and Barbra Streisand.
“Cowboy Carter” represents the second chapter of Beyoncé’s ambitious “Renaissance” trilogy project, a musical journey that intrigues with its diverse array of collaborators and musical influences. The album’s thematic depth and sonic innovation resonate with fans and critics alike, solidifying Beyoncé’s status as a visionary artist.
Reflecting on the album’s inspiration, Beyoncé recently recounted her journey to embrace the country music genre. “Cowboy Carter was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed,” Beyoncé wrote on Instagram regarding her 2016 performance at the Country Music Association Awards, where backlash on social media was immediate and drenched in racial overtones.
“But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of country music and studied our rich musical archive. 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 to educating on our musical history.”