SPAGHETTII

Album

Cowboy Carter

Label

Parkwood Entertainment

Genre

Country pop

Composer(s)

Beyoncé Knowles;Collins Chibueze;DJ O Mandrake;Khirye Tyler;Shawn Carter;Terius Youngdell Nash

Entered Chart

Apr 13, 2024

Peak Date

Apr 13, 2024

Beyoncé has been sing-rapping since 1990s Destiny's Child songs like "No, No, No Part 2" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'," so did anyone honestly think she'd leave that firebrand persona locked away in the vault for Cowboy Carter? Absolutely not. In "Spaghetti," Beyoncé throws down the gauntlet, spitting rhymes like a seasoned gunslinger. She's here to dominate, leaving copycats and clout-chasers in the dust. This is Queen Bey on a mission, mic in hand, ready to drop everything you ever wanted and more. High-noon showdown meets hip-hop hoedown. That's "Spaghettii" in a nutshell. "Spaghettii" is smack dab in the middle of Cowboy Carter. The album is the second part of a trilogy Beyoncé dreamed up during the pandemic, following hot on the heels of Renaissance. The title of the song, "Spaghettii" with those two "i"s, fits into the album's whole "Act II" theme. It's also a nod to those classic Spaghetti Westerns filmed in Italy but set in the American Wild West. Think Clint Eastwood with a side of penne. "Spaghettii" thematically complements the preceding track on Cowboy Carter, "Daughter," which finds Bey carrying out a murder fantasy. During the song, Beyoncé bridges the gap between country music's past and a future that throws all the rules out the window. She ropes in country legend Linda Martell at the beginning for a bit of good-natured ribbing about genre labels ("Genres are a funny little concept, aren't they?" Martell chuckles). Later, she brings in rising country star Shaboozey, and together they paint themselves as outlaws in the contemporary country scene. It's a playful rebellion, a middle finger to those who try to confine artists to neat little boxes. Linda Martell broke barriers, becoming the first Black woman to achieve commercial success in country music and grace the Grand Ole Opry stage as a solo artist. Her 1970 album Color Me Country was a bold move, a country reinvention after her earlier pop beginnings. It landed her two Top 40 hits, but the road wasn't easy. Martell faced racism and a career-stalling dispute with her producer. She never released another album. Martell sees a kindred spirit in Beyoncé's exploration of country music. "I am proud," she says, "and honored to be a part of it. After all, it's Beyoncé!" Her appearance on "Spaghetti" is a powerful symbol of progress, a reminder of the challenges Black artists have faced in country music and the doors Beyoncé is helping to open. Shaboozey isn't the only Black artist on Cowboy Carter, but he brings a unique flavor to the album. His stage name, a play on his last name (Chibueze, meaning "God is king" in Igbo), reflects his diverse musical background. Hip-hop blends with the country sounds of his Virginia roots, all seasoned with classic rock influences. Report this ad Shaboozey appears on another track, "Sweet Honey Buckiin'," and his journey to "Spaghetti" is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the album. He recorded his parts in Los Angeles, unsure if his efforts would feature on the album. "Everyone's working at the same time and different rooms and I came in a couple of days and recorded some parts," he told Billboard. "[Beyoncé] heard them later and liked them. It's cool how you don't know until the last moment if your part made it or not. We were waiting up until 9 p.m. PT [on album release day] to know if we made the cut." Beyoncé co-penned the song with Shaboozey, her husband Jay-Z, her frequent songwriting partner The-Dream, and her musical director, Khirye Tyler. The-Dream, who first teamed up with Beyoncé in 2008 for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," contributed to 11 of the album's 27 tracks; Jay-Z co-wrote six and Tyler worked on seven. Swizz Beatz produced the track with Beyoncé and Tyler. American hip-hop producer-rapper Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean's history with Beyoncé dates back to her 2005 solo single "Check On It." He also produced four tracks for her B'Day album and several for her husband, Jay-Z. Beatz, Beyoncé and Tyler built this country-rap hybrid off a sample of the beat from Brazilian funk artist O Mandrake's "Aquecimento Das Danadas" (with DJ Xaropinho). Because why not? In the world of Beyoncé, anything goes. Genres are indeed a funny little concept.

Genres are a funny little concept, aren't they?
Yes, they are
That Beyoncé Virgo shit
In theory, they have a simple definition that's easy to understand
But in practice, well, some may feel confined
I swear for God it's 'bout to hit
Jheeze, oh
Ah, woop-woop
Right (right, right)
Right (right, right), oh

I ain't in no gang but I got shooters and I bang-bang (goddamn)
At the snap of my fingers, I'm Thanos, damn it, damn it
And I'm still on your head, cornrows, damn it, damn it (right)
They call me the captain, the catwalk assassin (come on)
When they know it's slappin' then here come the yappin'
All of the snitchin' and all of this bitchin'
Just a fishin' expedition, dumb admission, in the kitchen
Cookin' up them chickens, extra leg, but I ain't even tryna kick it
Cunty, country, petty, petty, petty
All the same to me, Plain Jane, spaghetti
No sauce, no sauce, uh, too soft, too soft, uh
They salty, they shootin' like Curry (one, two, three)
One hand on my holster then pass it to Hova
Thought it was sweet when they was walkin' in the backdoor of the kitchen
Past the dirty dishes, now we on a mission
Tried to turn me to the opposition, I'm appalled 'bout the proposition
Y'all been played by the plagiaristic
Ain't gon' get no clout addiction, my attention
I ain't no regular singer, now come get everythin' you came for

I ain't in no gang, but I got shooters and I bang-bang (come on)
They still love your flame, ain't no game or I'll pierce your heart
I ain't in no gang, but I got shooters and I bang-bang
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang (Beyoncé, Beyoncé, right here)

(Beyoncé, right there, right there, right on the side there)
(Beyoncé, on your right, please, on your right)
(Beyoncé, on your right) come get everythin' you came for

Ayy, howl to the moon (howl to the moon)
Howl to the moon
Outlaws with me, they gon' shoot
Keep the code, break the rules (break the rules)
We gon' ride for every member that we lose (yeah)
Someone here brought fire, ain't no tellin' who
Play it cool
Know the lawman watchin' me every time I move (move)
Bounty on my head, can't go west, they on my shoes
No matter what the charges is, we ain't gon' tell the truth