Beyonce says new album comes from experience of not feeling welcome

Beyonce Knowles is set to release a new album (PA)

Beyonce has said her forthcoming album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, comes from an experience where she “did not feel welcome”, which inspired her to do a deep dive into the history of country music.

The American pop star, 42, became the first black woman to top Billboard’s country music chart in the US in February following the release of single Texas Hold Em’ – which dropped on the day of the Super Bowl, alongside 16 Carriages – when Beyonce first teased she would be coming out with a new album.