Going into Super Bowl LVIII, music fans knew to keep their eyes on Usher and Taylor Swift. But no one expected Beyoncé to enter the conversation, much less become the center of it.
The pop star was the centerpiece of a Verizon commercial during the second half of the game that seemed fairly typical—a giant star teaming with a company to promote its services in a humorous manner. In this case, the carrier flexed on its network’s reliability as Beyoncé tried to “break the internet” in a number of increasingly ludicrous attempts, from running for president to traveling to space.
The efforts, of course, failed, but at the very end of the spot, Beyoncé says, “Okay, they ready. Drop the new music.”
That baffling line wasn’t a joke. It was a declaration. Once the commercial ended, the first two singles for Beyoncé’s new album were released, and the release date for the album—Renaissance Act II—was revealed to be March 29.
The songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” hint that the album will have a country flavor.
And fans seem to be all in on the news.
Me supporting Beyoncé doing country music despite not liking country music: pic.twitter.com/HOXPycx5wt
— Paigey🥢 (@PaigeChristieUK) February 12, 2024
“Usher was so good”
— Chant God (@chantgod) February 12, 2024
“OMG Usher killed that”
“Super Bowl Halftime show ate”
Beyoncé: pic.twitter.com/3hQvEWVnox
Only Queen Beyoncé can release an album to break the internet and pretend that nothing is happening🤭 pic.twitter.com/wgKgjgBRbn
— 👑Supreme Queen Bey👑 (@QueenBeyoncesp) February 12, 2024
While Usher might have headlined the Apple-sponsored halftime show, it was Beyoncé who topped the Apple songs sales charts on Monday, with “16 Carriages” taking the top spot and “Texas Hold ‘Em” at No. 2. Usher came in at No. 3 with “Yeah!” (Usher’s new album was the top seller on that list, though.)