Beyoncé boost: Rising country music star Reyna Roberts makes Hot 100 debut

Rising star Reyna Roberts is causing a ruckus in the country music world in all the best ways.

The 26-year-old has been featured in Billboard, attended award shows and performed at tributes for country music legends. But perhaps the biggest accomplishment for the fiery entertainer thus far was having her first Billboard Hot 100 entry with pop culture icon Beyoncé.

“I’m so ELATED! What an amazing first. I cannot even describe the genuine excitement I feel in this moment,” Roberts said in an Instagram post on April 9. “God is amazing. Thank you everyone for being so uplifting and encouraging.”

Roberts made her Hot 100 debut in the song “Blackbiird,” which appeared on Beyoncé's chart-topping album “Cowboy Carter” released in March. The song, which peaked at No. 27 on Hot 100, featured Roberts alongside Tanner Adell, Brittany Spencer and Tiera Kennedy.

Not only did this mark an incredible moment for Black women in country music, but it was also a result of Roberts’ hard work, talent and manifestation.

“I feel like a lot of my prayers have been answered, and honestly, I feel like I’m leveling up in my career,” Roberts told MassLive. “I feel like people are starting to see what my vision is because the things I’m doing now, I’ve been saying, for at least 4 to 5 years … It’s great that people are now starting to see it for themselves instead of me just speaking about it.”

Roberts always wanted to be a superstar. She was born in Alaska but grew up in Alabama, Tennessee and California. Roberts started singing before she could talk, adding she always knew she was going to pursue a music career.

“I feel like God put that purpose in me,” she said. “There was never an awakening of like, ‘Oh, this is what I’m meant to do.’ I’ve just always known it in my heart and my spirit this is what I’m made for.”

From a young age, Robert’s parents, who served in the military, exposed her to artists across various genres, including Aretha Franklin, The Chicks, Led Zeppelin, Christina Aguilera, Gretchen Wilson, Destiny’s Child, and Journey. At 3 years old, Roberts had her first-ever performance at a karaoke bar in Alaska where she sang “Lady Marmalade.”

When she was 10 years old, her family lost their home but paid for a storage unit so Roberts could practice piano, the singer told Country Now in 2021. Roberts started writing songs in high school and eventually recorded the song “Lying to Myself” in 2014.

Robert moved to Nashville permanently in March 2020, and a peak in her career came shortly after country music singer Mickey Guyton posted a video of Roberts’ cover of Carrie Underwood’s song “Drinking Alone” in June. The video was later retweeted by Underwood herself, giving Roberts some industry recognition and helping throw her into the country music mix.

In 2021, Roberts joined CMT’s “Next Women in Country” and was featured in Amazon Music’s “Breakthrough Country Live” initiative. She also toured with Jamey Johnson on his summer tour. She most recently dropped her debut album, “Bad Girl Bible, Vol. 1,” in September.

The album is a perfect example of Roberts’ self-penned country-plus sound, which she describes as a mixture of country, hip-hop, pop, rock “and all the genres that I love.” Tracks that audiences have received well, in particular, include “Louisiana,” “Hell and Back,” “Miranda” and “Country Club.” With nearly a decade of experience under her belt, Roberts thinks people are just now starting to take her work more seriously.

“It’s so interesting because when people see (me) for the first time, they’re like, ‘Oh, you know, things came out of nowhere. It happened right away.’ And I’m like, ‘No, this is years and years, and this is my life’s work,’” she said.

Eyes have not only been on Roberts because of her powerful voice and vibrant red hair, the singer occupies a unique space as one of the few Black women in country music. Known for acknowledging the past of country music and other Black women in the genre, Roberts credits those who came before her for paving the way, namely Guyton. Roberts also voiced admiration for Reba McEntire, Luke Combs and Underwood, who have all shown their support for the budding artist.

While Roberts has had to fight many stereotypes herself, she thinks her artistry is what people really notice. That said, Roberts doesn’t take the power she has lightly.

“When people look at me, they’re expecting me to represent an entire race,” she said. “I’m always trying to make sure that I am the best version of myself and that people can see me being the best version of myself.”

“I always have to watch what I’m saying in lyrics, what I’m saying in interviews, how I come across to people — and all demographics. I’m not trying to speak to one particular audience, but I’m trying to speak to the world,” she said. “I’m always trying to make sure that when I’m speaking in interviews, when I’m writing lyrics, the visuals that I’m showing, that it is received by everyone as a whole.”

In addition to music, Roberts has raised money for military service members and veterans, as well as Rett Syndrome Awareness, The Wounded Warrior Project, Teen Impact Affiliates and the Empowerment Project. She is also a committed advocate for supporting military service members and veterans.

In addition to her work on more music and (hopefully) coming to Massachusetts on tour, Roberts is looking to branch into more spaces outside of music.

“I’m also working on things in different forms of entertainment, so that’s going to be great,” she said. “There’s stuff that I definitely haven’t done before and that’s going to be bigger than what I have done so far. So that’s going to be really exciting.”

You can keep up with Roberts and her career by visiting her website or by following her on social media.