Tiera Kennedy Reflects on Collaborating with Beyonce: A Unique Opportunity

Tiera Kennedy has taken her broken wings and learned how to fly. The young country star has experienced a new wave of fame and success after appearing on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter. Kennedy, along with Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, and Tanner Adell, joined Beyoncé in a powerful performance of The Beatles' "Blackbird," bringing Paul McCartney's vision for the song to life. Kennedy's vocals shine at the end of "Blackbird," and she also sings alongside Beyoncé in "Tyrant."

Kennedy shared exclusively with us that she believes Beyoncé continues to set the standard with each new album. She expressed her admiration for the music icon and described the experience of collaborating with her as a dream come true. Kennedy looks up to Beyoncé as an artist and feels grateful for the opportunity to work with her.

Moreover, Kennedy mentioned that working with Beyoncé has opened up her music to a wider audience, introducing her to many new listeners.

Kennedy expressed her excitement about the new fans discovering her music at this moment. She described it as a "God thing" and felt grateful for the opportunity. Despite not being able to share many details about joining Cowboy Carter, she revealed that it happened during a challenging time in her life. After being dropped from her record deal, Kennedy found herself at a career crossroads.

"I felt a mix of emotions when I lost my record deal," she shared with Us. "On one hand, I'm relieved because I can now release music that truly represents me and express myself fully. But at the same time, it's also scary to lose such a big opportunity."

"I remember thinking, 'God, I have no clue what your plan is, but I'm ready for whatever comes my way,'" she shared. "I had faith that everything was happening for a purpose. Then, a few months later, Cowboy Carter came into my life. It felt like a sign. I believe that no matter how tough things get, there is always a reason behind it all."

During a difficult time in her life, Kennedy penned her latest song, "I Ain't a Cowgirl." The song was released on Friday, April 26 and tells the story of Kennedy confronting her fears while chasing her dreams. In the lyrics, she sings about overcoming her fears, facing tomorrow bravely, and taking control of her life. She emphasizes that even though she may not be a cowgirl, she is determined to become one.

Kennedy shared that she wrote the song during a period when she felt disappointed with the direction of her career and struggled to fully express herself as an artist. This led to a deep sense of sadness and depression. The song reflects her feelings of brokenness, but also her hope for a better future. Kennedy expressed her belief that things would improve, even though she didn't know how or when. She found solace in her faith and trusted in herself to persevere through the tough times.

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Tiera Kennedy Kamren Kennedy

Kennedy shared that "I Ain’t a Cowgirl" marked her first venture into raw, emotional songwriting. She typically gravitates towards writing happy, upbeat songs but felt compelled to express herself differently in this particular track.

In a conversation with Us, she expressed how cathartic it has been to reveal this more intimate side of herself to the public. Kennedy finds it both special and nerve-wracking to share such a vulnerable song, yet she believes that music serves the purpose of helping people navigate their own emotions.

With the recent debate about who can and cannot be considered a cowgirl, the song "I Ain't a Cowgirl" took on a deeper meaning. The artist mentioned, "There’s so many layers. It’s like, ‘For so long I haven’t stood up for myself, but today I am.’ And then there’s also the literal meaning of, ‘I ain’t a cowgirl, but I’m going to be one today.’”

She further questioned, "Who has the authority to determine who is a real cowgirl?" To her, real cowgirls and cowboys are those who work hard in all weather conditions. She aspires to be like them, living life to the fullest, working hard, and pursuing her dreams every day.

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Beyoncé Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Kennedy mentioned that the release of the new song had been delayed, but she now feels like the timing is just right. She is determined not to miss this opportunity. She shared with Us that her debut album will be out in the fall, after she made some changes to include more vulnerable and angry songs.

"I believe that now I can truly showcase myself as a more authentic artist," she said. "Because nobody is happy all the time. We experience a range of emotions, and I wanted that to be reflected in my music as well."

The past few weeks have been hectic, with non-stop work from morning till night, but I absolutely love it. Being able to come up with an idea and see it through without having to answer to anyone is an amazing feeling. It's also really cool to see how people connect with what I do. Having genuine conversations with fans who love my music, even if we've never met, is truly special.

Thanks to her involvement in Cowboy Carter, Kennedy has been able to reach a wider audience. When asked about her favorite song on Beyoncé's new album (excluding the ones she sings on), Kennedy has to pause and think. She admits, "I love every song on the album." However, her top favorite is usually 'Tyrant,' where she is featured. Today, if she had to pick just one favorite, it would probably be 'Ya Ya.' It's a real jam.

The song has a unique quality to it that I can't quite pinpoint," she mentioned. "It just has a certain vibe that makes me want to dance, even though I'm not a dancer."

"I Ain't a Cowgirl" has been released and is available now.

Editor's P/S:

s journey exemplifies the transformative power of resilience and perseverance. After facing setbacks, she found solace in music and emerged as a rising star. Her collaboration with Beyoncé has catapulted her career, introducing her to a vast audience. Kennedy's latest song, "I Ain't a Cowgirl," showcases her vulnerability and artistry, challenging societal norms and empowering listeners to embrace their true selves.

Kennedy's story underscores the importance of believing in oneself and trusting in the unknown. Despite losing her record deal, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of music. Her faith and determination guided her through challenging times, leading her to a serendipitous opportunity that has changed her life. Kennedy's experience serves as an inspiration to all who aspire to follow their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face.