Top moments from her busy year

Beyoncé fans are celebrating a very special day as today marks the 43rd birthday of global superstar and cultural icon Queen Bey.

As the inaugural Beyoncé reporter, my niche role has been to highlight the impact the Grammy Award-winning singer has had on music, fashion, culture, the economy and beyond.

Over the last several months, I have tackled Beyoncé’s history making masterpiece “Cowboy Carter” and the impact it continues to have on the landscape of country music, especially as it pertains to race and Black artists, fashion and businesses.

I have also covered the launch of the megastar’s brands, including SirDavis and her Cécred hair care line and its promotion and representation of all hair types. And my work has stretched into Bey’s influence on the economy from Houston to the rest of the world.

Still, that only scratches the surface of Beyoncé’s reach over the last few decades.

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On the “Ya Ya” singer’s birthday, here’s a look back at 43 standout Bey moments this year so far.

1. Beyoncé’s husband and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 66th Grammy Awards, where his speech about his wife sent shock waves throughout social media.
2. Beyoncé upheld her title as the most decorated Grammy artist in history despite no new album at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
3. The superstar announced her eighth studio album during a surprise Super Bowl commercial.
4. Following the announcement of a full album, she broke the internet by releasing her first two singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”
5. Beyoncé received the praise of country music legends, including Dolly Parton, for her new singles.
6. Beyoncé’s single “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted on Billboard’s country airplay chart and on Mediabase — an achievement only seven Black women have accomplished in history.
7. Shortly after releasing her first two songs, Beyoncé made history as the first Black woman to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country songs chart with her single “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
8. She caused a massive spike of interest in items that are associated with country music culture — dubbed cowboy core — directly following the release of her new songs, according to fashion experts.
9. Beyoncé launched her highly anticipated Cécred hair care line on Feb. 20.
10. Beyoncé opened up about her struggles within the country music industry, which avalanched a conversation about inclusion within the genre.
11. Beyoncé covered CR Fashion Book a decade after she first graced the cover.
12. She also covered Essence magazine’s March/April issue, opening up about her intimate experiences with hair care.
13. Beyoncé released the “Cowboy Carter” album on March 29 and continued to break records and make history.
14. Beyoncé increased the visibility of emerging Black country artists, namely those included on her album.
15. In the words of “Blackbiird” singer Tiera Kennedy, “She’s put us all on a platform we can only dream of.”
16. “Cowboy Carter” became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 at the time of its release.
17. Beyoncé became the first Black woman to debut at No.1 on Billboard’s top country albums chart.
18. She also became the first Black artist to top Billboard’s Hot 100 and Hot Country charts simultaneously for “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
19. Beyoncé reinvigorated the ongoing conversation about Black artists in country music — both past and present.
20. Beyoncé’s song “II Hands II Heaven” became a fan favorite, debuting on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart.
21. The song went viral with fans all over rushing to do Drea Kelly’s moves to the tune.
22. Beyoncé broke the internet with a candid video of her wash day routine, as fans all over praised the Cécred brand.
23. Beyoncé’s 6-year-old daughter Rumi Carter made history by becoming the youngest female artist to chart on Billboard’s Hot 100, breaking her sister Blue Ivy’s record.
24. Beyoncé’s Parkwood-signed artist, Chloe Bailey, made her debut solo performance at Coachella, which the superstar made sure to attend.
25. “Cowboy Carter” collaborator Shaboozey became the first Black male artist to simultaneously top Billboard’s Hot 100 and Hot Country charts with his single “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”  This made him the second Black artist to ever top both charts, with Beyoncé being the first.
26. “Blackbiird” singer Tanner Adell and Shaboozey performed at the BET Awards, marking the first time country music took center stage at the show, thanks to Beyoncé.
27. Beyoncé’s eldest daughter Blue Ivy won the YoungStars Award at the BET Awards.
28. “Tyrant” and “Blackbiird” collaborator Reyna Roberts was featured on “America’s Got Talent” as a competitor.
29. A study revealed that the singer inspired a new generation of country fans.
30. Another study revealed she is the most thankful artist.
31. Beyoncé became the focus of a documentary titled “Call Me Country: Beyoncé & Nashville’s Renaissance,” which explored her dive into country music and the impact it’s having on the music industry.
32. Beyoncé covered W magazine’s first-ever digital cover, sporting a chic cowboy core outfit.
33. She received the prestigious Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles.
34. Beyoncé became the only female artist to land two albums on Apple Music’s 100 best albums list.
35. It was announced that the superstar’s name would be added to the French encyclopedic dictionary Petit Larousse Illustré.
36. It was announced that Blue Ivy and Beyoncé would join forces in Disney’s “Lion King” prequel titled “Mufasa.”
37. July marked the 25th anniversary of the album “The Writing’s on The Wall,” which became the breakout album for Destiny’s Child.
38. Beyoncé introduced American athletes set to compete at the Summer Olympics during NBC’s prime-time coverage of the opening ceremony.
39. Beyoncé cleared her 2016 hit “Freedom” for Vice President Kamala Harris‘ to use in her presidential bid, and the song soon became the anthem for Harris’ campaign.
40. Beyoncé scored the most nominations at the People’s Choice Country Music Awards, receiving 12 nods.
41. The singer’s BeyGood Foundation awarded the first round of its Cécred X BeyGood scholarships and salon business grants. And these endeavors have continued throughout the year.
42. Her BeyGood charity also committed $500,000 to Black cowboys at the annual Bill Picket Rodeo through its Black equestrian program, which supports programs that amplify Black cowboys, cowgirls and ranchers. ⁠
43. Beyoncé launched her award-winning whiskey SirDavis, named after her great-grandfather who was a successful moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition. And shipping for those presale orders starts today, so fans all over can raise their whiskey up high in light of the special day.

It’s already been an eventful eight months for the superstar, and her track record indicates she won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

Happy birthday, Beyoncé! There’s certainly a lot to celebrate.

Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.