Race & Politics

Michelle Obama: Beyoncé’s album a ‘reminder’ of power of the vote

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello/Mary Altaffer)

Michelle Obama issued high praise to Beyoncé for the Grammy-award winning artist’s latest album “Cowboy Carter.” 

In a post on Instagram, the former first lady said she is “so proud” of Beyoncé for reminding listeners of their power — especially when it comes to voting. 

“Cowboy Carter is a reminder that despite everything we’ve been through to be heard, seen, and recognized, we can still dance, sing, and be who we are unapologetically,” Obama wrote. 

“This album reminds us that we ALL have power. There’s power in our history, in our joy, and in our votes — and we can each use our own gifts and talents to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most to us.”

Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, released March 29, has been lauded by political leaders around the nation, including Vice President Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) and Texas Reps. Colin Allred (D) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D).

“Beyoncé: Thank you for reminding us to never feel confined to other people’s perspective of what our lane is,” Harris said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “You have redefined a genre and reclaimed country music’s Black roots. Your music continues to inspire us all.”

The superstar noted in an Instagram post before the album’s release that 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 Obama on Tuesday urged followers to stand together. 

“Together, we can stand up for what we believe in, and we must do that at the ballot box this year,” Obama said. “The issues that impact us most are on the ballot across the country — from equal pay and racial justice to reproductive healthcare and climate change. And as Queen Bey says at the end of Ya Ya, we need to ‘keep the faith’ and ‘VOTE!’”