A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW: BEY'S COUNTRY SET IS MAJOR

Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER is looking at the biggest opening of 2024 thus far.

The pop superstar's country album is projecting first-week activity north of 350k. Queen Bey's previous release, RENAISSANCE, debuted with 332k in August 2022.

U.S. streaming for the 27-track set (teased as act ii before its drop) is expected to finish the week at 250-300m. Globally, first-day Spotify streams hit 76m—a new peak on the platform for an album in 2024.

Bey's cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" has climbed to #2 at Spotify U.S. and #4 at Apple Music. "II MOST WANTED" f/Miley Cyrus is the LP's top track globally on Spotify, at #7, the same spot it holds at Apple Music.

Beyoncé, COWBOY CARTER (Parkwood/Columbia): 350k+