Beyoncé calls out country music industry, reflects on a time 'where I did not feel welcomed'

"Act II: Cowboy Carter," Beyoncé's eighth studio album, is set to release on March 24, and the music superstar is offering a statement on her new album — and an unprecedented reflection on her relationship with country music's mainstream over the past eight years.

On Instagram, she noted that while she was "honored" to be the first Black woman to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, she hopes for a day when "the mention of an artist's race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant."

The release's new imagery — Beyoncé in a red, white and blue Western suit carrying an American flag while astride a white stallion — continued to hearken to her Houston and rodeo-loving roots.

Beyoncé fans are tying 'Cowboy Carter' Beyoncé fans are tying 'Cowboy Carter' to country music's Carter Family

She stated that "Cowboy Carter" is an album five years in the making — and one also borne of her negative experiences in the country music genre. That is an apparent reference to 2016's Country Music Association Awards (CMAs), where she, in a surprise, performed her "Lemonade" album track "Daddy Lessons" alongside The Chicks.

"(This album) 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," she wrote on Instagram. "But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.

"The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. Act ii is a result of challenging myself and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work."

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Beyoncé's appearance with The Chicks at the 2016 awards show was panned by some, but referred to by NPR's Jewly Hight as representing "something more like reclamation than invasion, since the genre's roots entwine with African-American folk, blues, string band and pop contributions."

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said the performance was "about the music, not about politics." Added Scotty McCreery to Rolling Stone: "I don't think (Beyoncé would) come to a country show if she didn't really respect what (country music is) all about."

Regarding the album's content, she noted that collaborations — with "brilliant artists" she deeply respects — will be present alongside "my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound."

"I focused on this album as a continuation of RENAISSANCE," she wrote. "I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning and never stop."

She ended with a declaration.

"This ain't a Country album. This is a 'Beyoncé' album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y'all!"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beyonce on how 'Cowboy Carter' came about from feeling unwelcomed